Red House

From the outside, this red-brick house built by Victorian designer William Morris in 1859 conjures up a gingerbread house in stone. The nine rooms open to the public bear all the elements of the Arts and Crafts style to which Morris adhered – a bit of Gothic art here, some religious symbolism there, an art nouveau–like sunburst over there. Furniture by Morris and the house’s designer Philip Webb are in evidence, as are paintings and stained glass by Edward Burne-Jones. Entry is by guided tour only, which must be prebooked. The surrounding gardens were designed by Morris ‘to clothe’ the house. Don’t miss the well with a conical roof inspired by the oast houses of nearby Kent.