To step through the front door of 20 Maresfield Gardens in picturesque Hampstead is to enter another world. This world belongs to Sigmund Freud, his daughter Anna, and their ground-breaking work in psychoanalysis.
The Freud Museum London was the final home of Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, who came here with his family in 1938, after fleeing Nazi-occupied Vienna.
Most importantly for Freud, he was able to bring his extensive library and much-loved collection of antiquities with him to London. Here, in his new home, he recreated his study and consulting room, much as it had been in Vienna and took up his professional practice until the last weeks of his life.
“All the Egyptians, Chinese and Greeks have arrived, have stood up to the journey with very little damage, and look much more impressive here than in Berggasse.” – Sigmund Freud
The heart of the house remains Freud’s study, preserved just as it was during his lifetime. It contains Freud’s remarkable collection of Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Oriental antiquities. Almost 2,000 objects fill cabinets and are arranged on every surface. There are rows of ancient figures on the desk where Freud wrote until the early hours of the morning. The walls are lined with shelves containing Freud’s large library.
Among the book-lined walls and antiquities you will also find his original, and now iconic, psychoanalytic couch on which all of his patients reclined. The couch is remarkably comfortable and is covered with a richly coloured Iranian rug with chenille cushions piled on top. Other fine Oriental rugs, Heriz and Tabriz, cover the floor and tables.
“20 Maresfield Gardens… Our last home on this planet.” – Sigmund Freud
Collection highlights include
- Iconic psychoanalytic couch: one of the most famous pieces of furniture in the world; it was a gift from a patient, Madame Benveniste
- Salvador Dali portrait of Freud: the artist visited Freud in his London home in 1938 to sketch him
- Eros figurines: Freud’s collected six figurines, the largest of which (from Myrina) is considered superior to similar examples in the Louvre
- Gradiva: the woman who walks: a much-loved piece; Freud acquired this plaster cast of the bas-relief in the Vatican
Visitor information
- Address: Freud Museum London, 20 Maresfield Gardens, Hampstead, London NW3 5SX
- Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 5pm
- Admission charges: adults £7, senior citizens £5, concessions £4, under-12s free
- Underground: Finchley Road, Swiss Cottage
- London Overground: Finchley Road and Frognal
- Free Wi-Fi
- Gift shop
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