Often regarded as Britain's greatest painter, JMW Turner was also a born and bred Londoner. Big city life never agreed with the artist, however, and he eventually settled in the then-countryside of Twickenham in 1807. The house, Sandycoombe Lodge, which he designed himself, still stands. Over the summer, the house and garden will be open for two artists' working weekends (26-27 July and 14-15 September). Amateur and professional artists are welcome to visit the lodge, to bask in the surroundings that inspired Turner. There is a charge of £10 adult and £5 for children under 16 to support the Turner’s House Bicentennial Appeal, which aims to restore the house. Prebook here.
If you'd just like to pop by and poke around, the house is open for tours on the first Saturday of the month (Jul-Oct) from 10am-12.30pm, £4 entrance. Sandycombe Lodge, 40 Sandycoombe Road, Twickenham TW1 2LR.
