Dennis Severs' House is a historic home like no other. Located at 18 Folgate Street in Spitalfields, the house was the brainchild of the eccentric Dennis Severs who lived in the home from 1979 until his death in 1999.

The house was in bad shape, so Severs set out to refurbish it, eventually renovating each of its ten rooms to represent a different period in London history, mainly the 18th and 19th century.

The house tells the story of the fictitious Jervis family, Huguenot silk weavers who occupied the house from 1725 to 1919. Severs called it “still life drama” and each room is set up in such a way as to make the visitor feel as if the occupants had just stepped away moments before; food and others items lie nearby and an array of smells and sounds are also used to enhance these sensations. Visitors are meant to feel as if they had entered a painting and were able to fully experience the world that the artist attempted to portray on their canvas.

Visitors are requested to keep silent on their tour, this is to help enhance their immersion into these other worlds.

The house is lit by candles and firelight, adding to the otherworldly feeling of the place.

Unlike a more traditional house tour, there are no staff or docents available to answer questions, you are meant to simply experience and savour the moments you spend there absorbing the experience. Some visitors come away deeply moved and almost haunted by their journey at the house, while others do not seem to get much out of it.

The motto of the house is “Aut Visum, Aut Non”, or “You either see it, or you don’t”, and that seems to truly be the case for most of the people who visit.

The house is managed by Spitalfields Trust and has rather limited visiting hours, so do check the times and plan your trip well in advance.

This attraction is a unique and charming passageway to London history.

Visiting Dennis Severs' House

18 Folgate Street, Spitalfields, E1 6BX

Telephone: 020 7247 4013

Email info@dennissevershouse.co.uk

Opening Times

First & 3rd Sunday of each month from 12noon-4pm, Mondays following the 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month from 12noon-2pm | Candlelight Tours every Monday evening (except Bank Holidays)

Ticket Prices

£8 (Sunday), £5 (Monday lunch time), £12 (Monday Candlelight Tours - booking essential)

Photo courtesy: tiredoflondon

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