Emery Walker Trust — Attraction in London

The Emery Walker Trust is a registered charity in the UK (charity number 1158505) dedicated to the advancement of public education in art, crafts, design, and architecture. Its primary focus is the conservation, maintenance, and public display of 7 Hammersmith Terrace in London, the former home of Sir Emery Walker.

Preservation of Emery Walker's House: The Trust owns and manages 7 Hammersmith Terrace, which is considered the last authentic Arts and Crafts interior in Britain. Emery Walker lived in this terraced house on the River Thames from 1903 until his death in 1933, and it remains largely untouched, offering a genuine glimpse into an Arts and Crafts home. Historic Interiors: The house boasts original William Morris & Co. wallpapers, textiles, and furniture throughout, reflecting Walker's close friendship and collaboration with William Morris. Guided Tours: The Trust provides pre-booked guided tours of the house, allowing visitors to experience the unique atmosphere and learn about Emery Walker's life and the Arts and Crafts movement. Tours typically run on Thursdays and Saturdays from March to the end of November. Garden: The house also features a small garden with fine views of the Thames. The garden's paths are made of original 1898 terracotta tiles, and the conservatory has a grapevine descended from the one at Hogarth's House. The planting is inspired by the garden diaries of Emery Walker's daughter, Dorothy Walker, and includes flowers featured in William and May Morris' designs. Educational Activities: The Trust aims to educate the public about the Arts and Crafts movement through the preservation of the house and its contents. Collaboration: The Emery Walker Trust works in partnership with other organizations, such as the William Morris Society, through initiatives such as “Arts & Crafts Hammersmith” to promote the stories of key figures in the movement. Collection: The Trust cares for Emery Walker's personal artifacts in the house, providing a rich context for understanding his life and work. In essence, the Emery Walker Trust plays a vital role in preserving an important piece of Arts and Crafts heritage in London and making it accessible to the public for educational purposes. Visiting 7 Hammersmith Terrace offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience a genuine Arts and...

I’m really glad this house exists and that it aims to move beyond the usual framing of the Arts and Crafts movement through William Morris alone. However, I was disappointed that there was not more focus on the women who were so central to the movement and the conservation of this house.

Figures like May Morris, Jane Morris, and others made major contributions through their design work, teaching, writing, and leadership. While the exhibit briefly acknowledged a few women, like Dorothy Walker, the main narrative still focused heavily on male figures and their relationships with each other. This felt like a missed opportunity.

The Arts and Crafts period coincided with major shifts for women, including growing access to education and the workforce. Women were deeply involved in the movement and have always been central to craft traditions, yet their influence is often underrepresented.

I appreciate the effort behind the house, but I hope future tours and galleries do more to highlight the role women played. They were not secondary figures—they were makers, thinkers, subjects and leaders whose impact deserves more space and recognition especially in the arts and crafts movement.

Additionally, for anyone with mobility issues, I found it challenging, as the tour involved standing for around an hour and a half with no places to sit. There was a lot of standing and listening, which may not be suitable for everyone. I’d recommend calling ahead to check on accessibility options if that might be a...

We originally booked to go to Emery Walker's House in 2020, but then Covid happened... So we rebooked earlier this month. It's timed entry and guided tours only. Our guide was excellent, very knowledgeable, engaging and enthusiastic. We loved seeing the Arts and Crafts artefacts: paintings, pottery, furniture, wallpaper, and learning about the history of the House and its occupants. It was a fascinating hour and a quarter tour, after which we could, within reason, revisit the rooms for a closer look at specific items of interest. Fans of William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement will thoroughly enjoy a visit to this wonderful time...