The artist John Constable first visited Hampstead in 1812, and undertook some of his most important work on Hampstead Heath.

Constable´s love of Hampstead and the Heath is largely overlooked but, now, as the second centenary of his first visit there approaches, we are staging a new exhibition that will redress the balance, thanks to a grant of almost £50,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). We will be marking the event this year with a major six-month exhibition of seven of Constable’s original works on display just steps from the views that inspired them, kindly lent by the Victoria and Albert Museum

An accompanying exhibition, Imaging and Imagining the Heath will explore Constable´s legacy by also drawing from Burgh House´s existing collection including works by CRW Nevinson, Donald Towner and Duncan Grant to reflect the development of village and Heath through the artworks of those it has inspired.

The period leading up to the exhibition is an exciting time for Burgh House, involving a number of new projects, including:

• Comprehensive public event program celebrating Constable´s time in Hampstead
• An active schedule of education and outreach programming focusing on Constable and Heath history
• The production of a guidebook to accompany the display;
• The creation, with one of Burgh Houses’ founders David Sullivan, of a Project Resource Box, for those wishing to pursue further research
• Numerous house renovations and security enhancements, better positioning the House to host future exhibitions
• The recruitment of new interns and volunteers

Constable Scramble!

Support team BH! With considerably less talent than team GB, but by no means less enthusiasm, the Burgh House squad are cycling, hiking and camping their way from Constable’s birthplace to his resting place in just four days from 20th September. To support the House and for a warm fuzzy feeling sponsor us here! And don’t forget to follow our progress on Twitter

Constable Education Programme:

From January-March 2013, we will be running free Constable education sessions at Burgh House for local year 6 primary school groups, and year 7 and year 10/11 Gifted and Talented groups. Please get in touch with us to book.

Copyright Victoria and Albert Museum

Watch Burgh House Curator Becky Lodge discuss John Constable’s Hampstead work whilst walking on the Heath. Filmed exclusively for the Royal Academy online magazine.



Listen to Constable: 200 Years in Hampstead curators Rebecca Lodge and Ashley Hannebrink discuss the exhibition and Constable’s time in Hampstead, with Camden Community Radio’s Tom Boyle.



Constable Walks

Try our Constable Family walk-just download, print and go whenever suits you! The walk is roughly 3 miles, will take 1.5hours and covers town and Heath sights with a map and full instructions.

If you are looking for a more adventurous walk on the Heath, please download our Long Heath Walk.

Or try Constable's Hampstead Pub Trail.



History Pin

Explore the Constable project on our History Pin page! Lots more collections will be added over the course of the exhibition, so keep coming back!

Stay up to date with what we are up to in the run up to the opening! Keep an eye on these pages, following us on Twitter and Facebook, or sign up to our e-newsletter.

Copyright Victoria and Albert Museum

Copyright Victoria and Albert Museum