Dennis Severs' House review

Dennis Severs House was born from the vision of a Southern Californian with the same name. He arrived in Spitalfields in 1979 and purchased a derelict house at 18 Folgate Street. In 1980, the house opened its doors, inviting visitors to discover his eccentric labour of love. Immaculate attention to detail was given to reconfigure the house, telling the story of an imaginary Huguenot silk merchant family that had supposedly lived there since its construction in 1724.  

Dennis Severs’ House. Photo by Lucinda Douglas Menzies.

The man himself would often give the tours and told stories of the (fictional) Jervis family he claimed once lived here. He was known to say ‘Feel, don’t think; look, don’t speak … open yourself to the experience you are going to have’. Dennis also lived here with his partner Simon Pettet, a ceramicist and much of his work can be found in the house. Sadly, Simon was diagnosed HIV positive in 1984, one of the UK’s earliest cases and passed away in 1993 at the young age of 28. Severs later died in 1999 aged 51 of cancer and the house remains a museum under the Spitalfields Trust.

Dennis Severs’ House. Photo by Lucinda Douglas Menzies.

On a crisp but sunny winters day we embarked on a visit to Dennis Severs House.  

A visit here is one of the more unusual things to do in East London and something I have wanted to do for quite some time. As we approached the facade of the house with the flickering flame in the beautifully large lantern over the doorway we knew we were in for a special experience.

One is met on the doorstep at the beginning of the tour and visitors are asked not to take photos and to hold your bag to the front of you to avoid knocking anything over. Best leave your bulky items at home. The tours are mostly held in silence allowing visitors a peaceful tour to take in all the intricate details. Should the prospect of being silent for a prolonged period of time be too daunting the non-silent and more casual tour is held on Fridays afternoons from 12pm-4pm. Also be aware the house is dimly lit by candles and warmed up with roaring fires and has many stairs to negotiate so those with mobility issues would need to take this into consideration.

Dennis Severs’ House. Photo by Lucinda Douglas Menzies.

Once we entered, we were welcomed and guided to each room in chronological order, beginning in the cosy basement kitchen. The room is staged to feel as if you may have just missed the occupants of the house as the table is set mid meal with the fresh apple sauce in its serving bowl and a cup of tea poured.

The bedrooms are set with the lived in look of freshly rumpled bed sheets and daffodils in a vase.

The master-bedroom fireplace appears to be a shrine of Delft pottery (the familiar blue and white pottery made in Holland) with the hearth lined in blue and white tiles seemingly antique but upon closer observation they are vignettes featuring local friends and characters including the infamous Gilbert & George the collaborative art duo and residents of Fournier Street. All made by Dennis’ partner Simon.

Dennis Severs’ House. Photo by Lucinda Douglas Menzies.

The intentional staging fooled us with seemingly collapsing ceilings on the top floor, reflecting the changing fortunes of the family moving from affluent merchants’ quarters to a crowded and decaying Victorian slum.

There is no electricity in the house except for the extension at the back which houses a small gift shop. We were very surprised to learn that one of Dennis Severs’ friends Mick Pedroli continues to live here and is the House Manager, carefully staging the house daily for visitors.

While historical accuracy isn’t the focus, the house offers a unique, imaginative experience. Every opportunity should be taken to visit this one-of-a-kind home. Set aside at least 45 minutes and maybe even 1.5 hours if you wish to savour details. David Hockney once described the house as one of the world’s five great experiences.

 The nearest station is Liverpool Street. There are different experiences to choose from with varying budgets.

Which experience to book?

Dennis Severs’ Tour £75 (Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evenings)

This would be the most unforgettable experience hosted by an actor leading a small number of guests reinventing the famous evocative tours that Dennis gave when first opening the house.

Silent Visit £16 (Saturday & Sunday Afternoons 12pm-4pm)

An unguided tour through the house without speaking and explored at your own pace.

Relaxed Visit £16 (Friday afternoons 12pm-4pm)

A more informal visit than the “Silent Tours”, with talking allowed

Silent Night £25 (Friday evenings 5pm-9pm)

A silent visit illuminated by the splendour of candlelight between twilight and the evening hours.

Location: Dennis Severs' House,18 Folgate St, London E1 6BX. Website: dennissevershouse.co.uk. Instagram: @dennissevershouse.

Words by Natascha Milsom