A memorable trip to Kenwood House (Mustafa Barış Harmankaya, Turkey, ITP 2024)
Written by Mustafa Barış Harmankaya, Archaeologist, Istanbul Archaeological Museums (Turkey, ITP 2024)
Greetings again.
Some days stand out in your life, and I think our trip to Kenwood House today was one such day for me.
On Sunday afternoon, as before on every trip, we met in front of Schafer House, and after a short drive, we arrived at Kenwood House where we met with Frances Carey. Situated on the tranquil northern edge of Hampstead Heath, Kenwood House, which stands on the doorstep of London with its impressive facade and lush surroundings, felt like a peaceful retreat from the busy streets of London.
When you step inside, you’re greeted by beautifully decorated rooms that reflect a refined taste. The library was especially wonderful, with its gilded ceiling and walls covered with books. It’s easy to imagine the many distinguished guests who would have once gathered here for intellectual discussions or to simply enjoy the surroundings. While wandering around the house, the collection containing works by famous artists was fascinating. A skeleton clock was one of the objects that stood out most to me.
Skeleton clocks are unique timepieces designed to showcase their internal mechanisms by removing the outer casing, allowing the intricate gears and movements to be visible. These clocks often feature finely crafted components and precise regulator movements, making them both functional and decorative. The clock in Kenwood House was created by Joseph Merlin, an inventor and clockmaker from the 18th century. Merlin was a Belgian inventor who moved to London, where he became known for his wide range of inventions. In the same room, a portrait of him is displayed.
After we visited Kenwood House, we all headed south through the unique natural beauty of Hampstead Heath. The heath offers a variety of landscapes, including dense forests, grasslands, and ponds. Along the way, we saw Londoners enjoying the sun that had stopped hiding after clouds for weeks, lying on the grass, or cooling off by swimming in the lake. As we were walking together and talking to each other, I realised that this was the last field trip in the program where we were all together, and this thought made me feel sad.
The last and most enjoyable moments of the day were the hours we spent together in the garden of Frances’ house, accompanied by delicious cakes, refreshments, and pastries. After enjoying the raisin, coffee, and ginger cakes, some of us chatted while others played ball as the sun slowly began to set. It was a great day all in all—the kind of day you would never want to end.