Red House

Red House in Bexleyheath is the only house built for and lived in by William Morris, founder of the Arts and Crafts movement. Designed by his friend Philip Webb and completed in 1860, it was decorated by hand with the Pre-Raphaelite circle, and Edward Burne-Jones called it 'the beautifullest place on earth'; the work done here grew into Morris & Co. The National Trust bought the house in 2003 and has been uncovering original decoration ever since, so visitors see furniture by Morris and Webb, glass and paintings by Burne-Jones and embroidery by Jane Morris, and a garden designed to 'clothe the house'. The house is seen only on pre-booked guided tours, and reviewers rate the well-read volunteer guides highly while noting that only a handful of rooms are open, with bare patches where paint layers are being investigated. Tips from visitors: book well ahead, since tickets are released only two weeks in advance, and there is no cafe. The nearest car park is Danson Park, a mile away.