London days out: Gunnersbury Park Museum with kids

Dinner at Gunnersbury House, wrote Disraeli, ‘was not to be surpassed in splendour’ even at Windsor or Buckingham Palace. As Britain’s future Prime Minister, he was in a good position to compare the kind of banquets given by royalty and the lavish entertainments of the Rothschilds’ west London mansion.

These days, the house sits within Gunnersbury Park, with playgrounds full of kids almost in earshot and dog walkers strolling under the trees. And since the museum it houses reopened in summer 2018, you can also get a glimpse inside once more, transformed to show what life would have been like (particularly in the servants’ quarters) as well as exhibitions on fashion, local industry and local history.

With hands on activities, open grassy areas by two ponds and some interesting sculptures dotted around, not to mention a chance to visit the nearby bath house built for George II’s daughter Princess Amelia, it makes a very fun and unusual free day out in London with kids.

My daughter had, for once, beaten me to it, having visited with her school on a day trip – so volunteered to act as my guide and personal expert on visiting Gunnersbury Park Museum with kids.

As with so many of our trips to London’s museums, it had been fairly spontaneous – the sun was shining after a chilly week, letting us pretend November hadn’t actually arrived, and I thought we should make the most of it by going for a walk.

Which was then only a small step to hopping in the car for the short journey to Gunnersbury (between Ealing, Chiswick and Acton in west London) and teaming that walk under the trees with a wander past the Temple on the lake, also built for Princess Amelia as part of her summer retreat, and a visit to the museum.

So excited at the prospect of being the one in charge, my six-year-old power walked past the playground, past the cafe (attached to a small carriage museum, with some of the Rothschilds’ conveyances) and only paused to eye up the carved wooden sculptures dotted around.

Then after I insisted on looping around the house, strolling along the terrace and looking down onto Horseshoe Pond, we doubled back on ourselves to walk through the columns at the entrance to the museum.

The extravagant furniture which would have filled the family rooms is gone, but gazing at the ceilings – one with an painted depiction of the seasons, the other with intricately carved wooden leaves – gives a hint at just how lavish a lifestyle they enjoyed.

There are also short videos of family members and servants talking, bringing to life some of the events we know took place, including the mid 19th century wedding of daughter of the house Leonora, when the dining room was temporarily extended 35ft to accommodate all the guests.

There’s more to see in the historic kitchens, with original exhibits behind glass in some rooms from bottle labels to various implements for the butler to wield, and a rather fabulous recreation of a Victorian sugar cone.

Then room after room of kitchens, a huge spit waiting to be turned, an equally vast copper pot which might almost have fitted a six-year-old (we didn’t try), a separate pastry room with pictures of different moulds, bottled ingredients, menus in the chef’s office and more.

Hands are kept firmly off here, but in one of the adjoining rooms, there’s a chance for kids to dress up.

Minnie pulled on a filmy apron and what we decided might have been the housekeeper’s jacket, and struck up an instant friendship with another girl around the same age, dressed as a maid, issuing orders in suitably imperious fashion as they played with the tea set and plastic cakes laid out.

I amused myself by realising the two had almost matching sparkly sections on their ankle boots – definitely more Rothschild than servant!

There are also displays of vintage children’s toys, some behind glass, some to play with and a rather wonderful rocking horse (also not to be touched).

Finally enticing Minnie away, we discovered several rooms she visited on her school trip were closed to the general public, before one of the friendly staff pointed us in the direction of the top-floor galleries – including a tip to stand on the step by the window in the local industry gallery, open the blind and gaze out.

First, more dressing up in the fashion gallery. A huge picture hat and ruffled beribboned top for my miniature aristocrat (the matching skirt was just too long, while a corset from another outfit very nearly went around her twice). I was allowed a much plainer blue hat (which actually I rather liked the look of, evidently I know my place).

Videos played of dancers demonstrating different styles – the 20s dances and jazz era styles drunk in open-mouthed by Minnie.

I wandered round looking at the examples of vintage gowns on display including an astonishing white creation which would have been worn either to court or as a wedding dress a couple of centuries ago, as well as opening drawers of accessories – spotting a peacock feather hat which knocked the blue one right off top spot. Alas, no chance to actually try that on.

The local industry gallery, like another room downstairs with finds from excavations in the Ealing and Hounslow area from over the centuries, plus items from local inhabitants of note, grabbed my six-year-old’s attention a bit less, so we went round at speed. But there’s always something to catch the eye.

As I pondered a milk pram on display and rather astonishing knitted swimwear for men, she set about creating her own postcards from the ink pads and stamps in a corner.

Then time to open the blind to check out the views. These rooms would have been servants’ bedrooms, but the vista down to Horseshoe Pond and the lawns (and, these days, a few tower blocks and cranes in the distance) is one I’d love to have from my own room.

The royal bath house, carriage collection and a longer walk would have to wait for our next visit. Dusk wasn’t far away, and our own carriage awaited.

Gunnersbury Park Museum with kids – need to know

The park is in west London, between Ealing, Chiswick and Kew and the closest tube station to Gunnersbury Park is Acton Town on the Piccadilly Line. 

Parking at Gunnersbury Park Museum is currently free for the first 30 minutes, then paid. It’s also free to park on Pope’s Lane at weekends, and for most of the day during weekdays, except for a couple of hours reserved for residents.

There are gates dotted around the park, but the main gates (and the museum, playground, cafe and temple) are on the north side. The park is currently undergoing a £50 million revamp so some areas are cordoned off for work – check out what it looked like before and find out some more history from our previous visit. A Go Ape course is also on the cards for the future.

There are often events and festivals during the summer so it’s worth doublechecking what’s on before you visit Gunnersbury Park Museum with kids.

For Gunnersbury Park opening times and museum opening times, click here. Entry to the museum is also free, and there are events held in the house, such as the Winter Fair with a festive family trail and activities.

For more tips on visiting London’s museums with toddlers and kids, check out my ultimate guide

PIN FOR LATER: GUNNERSBURY PARK MUSEUM WITH KIDS

Images copyright MummyTravels

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