Danson House
Grade I listed Palladian villa of 1766 in Danson Park, restored and open to visitors on selected heritage days.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Danson House stands in Danson Park in south-east London. Sir John Boyd, a merchant, built it in the 1760s for his second wife, Catherine Chapone, and the architect Sir Robert Taylor designed the Palladian villa.
During the twentieth century the house fell into very poor condition. In 1995 English Heritage described it as the most significant building at risk in London, and a long restoration followed. The restored interiors opened to the public in 2005, and Queen Elizabeth II reopened the house that July.
Today the house is managed for the London Borough of Bexley and is also its register office, so it is used for weddings and citizenship ceremonies. Visitors can see the principal floor on a small number of Sundays each year, when guided tours are also offered. Danson Park around the house is open all day, every day.
Highlights
- Grade I listed Palladian villa designed by Sir Robert Taylor
- Restored principal floor shown on heritage Sundays
- Guided tours on selected Sundays from April to August
- Setting in Danson Park next to the lake
Permanent exhibition
- Danson House – The restored principal floor of the Palladian villa, shown on selected Sundays with an optional guided tour.
- Founded
- 2005
- Operated by
- London Borough of Bexley
Admission & discounts
| Guided tour on a heritage Sunday (12:00) | £8Card payment only; tickets are booked by email. |
|---|
Entry to the principal floor is free from 10:00 to 12:00 on the heritage Sundays. Guided tours at 12:00 cost £8 per person, payable by card only, and are booked by email to dansonhouseheritage@kent.gov.uk.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
According to an independent access guide, most areas are step-free and a platform lift serves the ground, first and second floors; the basement kitchen and the register office have stepped access. An accessible toilet is at the rear of the building near the tea room, and a manual wheelchair can be borrowed. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bexleyheath station · 20-min walk
The house is about a 20-minute walk from Bexleyheath or Welling railway stations, and local buses stop nearby.
By car
Parking available · 100 m to the entrance
The house has no car park of its own. According to an independent access guide, the nearest car park is Danson Park car park, about 100 m further along the park access road, and there is a drop-off point at the house.
The house is just off the A2, about six miles from junction 2 of the M25.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
A separately managed tea room at the back of the house mainly serves private functions; no public opening times are published.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
The house is the register office of the London Borough of Bexley and hosts weddings, citizenship ceremonies and renewals of vows. Receptions can be held in the Boathouse, and a licence is needed for wedding photography in the park.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours run only on the heritage Sundays and start at 12:00; places are booked by email. |
