575 Wandsworth Road

The hand-carved fretwork interior of this modest, early 19th-century, terraced house is enthralling and inspiring. 575 Wandsworth Road was acquired by the National Trust in 2010, because of the rich and striking interiors created by Khadambi Asalache (1935-2006), a Kenyan-born poet, novelist, philosopher of mathematics and British civil servant. He bought the house in 1981 while working at the Treasury, and over a period of 20 years (from 1986) turned his home into a work of art.

Prompted by the need to disguise persistent damp in the basement dining room, he initially fixed pine floorboards to the damp wall. He went on to embellish almost every wall, ceiling and door in the house with exquisite fretwork patterns and motifs, which he hand-carved from reclaimed pine doors and floorboards found in skips.

The house stands as he left it, with his painted decoration on walls, doors and floors and with rooms furnished with his handmade fretwork furniture and carefully arranged collections of beautiful and functional objects, including pressed-glass inkwells, pink and copper lustreware, postcards and his typewriter.

Book a visit

575 Wandsworth Road is open for tours from May-October. To look after our delicate interiors, places are limited to six people at a time so pre-booking is essential. It's a visit unlike any other National Trust day out, as you'll be invited to take off your outdoor shoes to protect our hand-painted floors. Please come prepared, wearing thick gripped socks or bring a pair of rubber soled slippers on the day. 

You'll start your visit with an introductory talk around the dining table, before exploring the house with a member of the team.  Help us look after this small and fragile house by not taking photographs and also travelling light. Bags and coats can be stored securely at the start of the tour. Please note, there are no catering facilities or toilets onsite.