London Tourist Guide > Museums > Keats House

Keats House is a museum dedicated to the collection, preservation, documentation, exhibition and interpretation of the life and works of the poet John Keats (1795-1821).

Housed in a Grade I Listed building built in 1815, Wentworth Place was originally two regency cottages. Keats lived here between 1818 and 1820 and wrote many of his best loved poems here including his famous 'Ode to a Nightingale' in 1819. His beloved fiancée, Fanny Brawne lived in the neighbouring cottage and the two were later converted in the 1830's to form Keats house.

The house contains reconstructions of the main rooms as well as temporary displays about aspects of Keats' life. Fanny's engagement ring and a brooch in the form of a lyre with strings made from the poet's hair are on display together with books, manuscripts, letters, prints and paintings. The garden is also open to visitors.