One of the most outstanding historic houses in the care of the National Trust, this year Ham House and Garden is celebrating its 400th anniversary. Heralded as the most complete survival of the Restoration period in Britain, its sumptuous rooms display exotic and rare collections that offer a revealing glimpse into the fashions and court lifestyle of 17th-century England.

Woven into the history of this great house are tales of ambition, greed and scandal to rival the richness of its interior, which is regarded by many to be haunted.

Built in 1610, Ham House was witness to one of the greatest periods of political upheaval in British history - the English Civil War. Its owner at the time, the dashing William Murray, 1st Earl of Dysart, filled the house with artworks and elegant furnishings, but as a friend of King Charles I, he was to die in exile in 1655 and the house passed into the hands of his daughter Elizabeth.

Elizabeth was well educated and intelligent, but, as Bishop Burnet noted at the time, ‘violent in everything she set about, a violent friend and a much more violent enemy - she would have stuck at nothing by which she might compass her ends.’     Skilfully playing both sides after the Civil War, Elizabeth established good relations with Oliver Cromwell, sparking rumours of an affair. She was also a member of the Sealed Knot society, which worked to restore Charles II to the throne, and for which she was later handsomely rewarded.

Plans were drawn up to double the size of Ham House and transform it into a showcase befitting one of the most powerful players in Charles II’s ministry. Features included two grand ground floor apartments, one of the earliest bathrooms (at the time most people did not consider washing to be a daily neccessity), and a magnificent library. The Duchess kept meticulous records, which showed that joiner Henry Harlow was paid up to 35 shillings a yard to install some of the earliest sash windows. Complex decorative carving, plasterwork and gilding were also executed throughout the house.

Existing 17th-century inventories, one written by Elizabeth herself, reveal her liking for exotic Oriental-style lacquered furniture such as the Japanned chairs but she was also very fond of elaborate trimmings, and in two months alone she bought 152 tassels made of gold and silver thread. This extravagance could not last forever and, after her husband’s death, the Duchess was forced to take out mortgages to pay the bills, even selling her jewellery and court dresses. Crippled by gout and soured by years of legal wrangling with the Duke’s relatives, she died in 1698.

Ham House stayed in the family’s possession, but by the 19th-century it had fallen into a serious state of neglect. Rescued by the 9th Earl, who saved much of its precious contents, the house passed into the hands of the National Trust in 1948.

Ham Today Described in previous centuries as a ‘sleeping beauty’, the house and its collections remain intact today. This year, visitors can discover more about this mysterious ‘time capsule’, with a programme of events and activities to celebrate the 400th birthday.

Staff and volunteers are also highlighting their favourite features in the house and inviting visitors to nominate their own ‘Favourite Piece of Ham’. Victoria Bradley, House and Collections Manager, reveals a few from her list: “Nothing evokes Ham’s sumptuous style so much as the ivory cabinet, designed as a show-piece and entirely veneered in ivory, which is both shocking and impressive. The Duchess’s original silk damask wall hangings for the Queen’s Antechamber, are equally stunning - these would have been impressive purchases in the 17th-century as few could afford this level of luxury. I also love the windows that date from the original building in 1610, featuring beautiful, elaborate metal catches, handles and antique glass.”

Food was also important to a household of this size, and throughout the year visitors can enjoy treats such as real mince pie and spiced apple pudding, created from authentic 17th-century recipes and using fresh ingredients from the kitchen garden.

An historic chocolate cake recipe with a mysterious tale attached, is also being recreated. The cake was baked regularly during the dark days of WWI and posted to a captain in the British Army by his sister. Although in France, he was spotted one day in 1917 by a gardener at Ham House, who saw him in army uniform walking through a locked gate and disappearing around the side of the house. The following day, the family received notification by post that he had died.

To this day, many visitors continue to report ghostly sightings, in particular of the Duchess and her little dog.

A highlight of the birthday celebrations is the Time Travellers weekend (July 3 and 4), which sees Ham House immersed once more in the year 1626. New owner, Will Murray, is hosting a country fayre, with musicians, market stalls, dances and games, but his big day is unexpectedly interrupted by the arrival of the king’s favourite, the Duke of Buckingham.

Ham House, Ham Street, Ham, Richmond-upon-Thames TW10 7RS. For opening days and times, 400th anniversary events and further information, visit nationaltrust.org.uk or telephone 020 8940 1950.