Longwood House
Monument Historic residence where Napoleon spent exile on Saint Helena
Napoleon’s final residence on Saint Helena, with a house museum and gardens that document his exile; visitors tour rooms, manuscripts and the long gardens around the property.
Longwood House is the residence on Saint Helena where Napoleon Bonaparte lived during his exile on the island from 1815 until his death in 1821. The house and its surrounding garden are preserved as a historic house museum focused on that period.
Interior rooms include restored or conserved spaces associated with Napoleon’s household and with displays about his final years on Saint Helena. The garden and grounds retain layout elements from the early nineteenth century and are presented to visitors alongside the house.
The house was used as Napoleon’s residence under British supervision during his exile and remained notable in the island’s subsequent history; it later fell into varying states of repair before restoration and conversion into a museum. The site is maintained to interpret Napoleon’s time on Saint Helena.
Longwood House is located inland on the island of Saint Helena in the district known as Longwood, set above the island’s coast and away from the main port town of Jamestown.
- Museum and preservation: The property is preserved as a museum commemorating Napoleon's exile and is maintained with period rooms and garden layouts.
How to Get to Longwood House #
Saint Helena is reached by the RMS St Helena (infrequent) or by air via flights from Cape Town to Saint Helena Airport (HLE). From Jamestown, Longwood is about a 20-30 minute drive uphill; tours and taxis are the usual means to reach the house.
Tips for Visiting Longwood House #
- Book a guided tour via St Helena's tourism office-visits to the house are timed and sometimes restricted due to preservation work.
- Expect hilly walks on St Helena-wear sturdy shoes; the house sits on a ridge with steep approaches.
- Look for the napoleoniana: the elliptical path and the bed chamber windows still oriented to vistas he would have observed.
Best Time to Visit Longwood House #
St Helena's climate is mild year-round; plan around ship or flight schedules-visiting Longwood requires making arrangements on the island.
