Part of the charm of Hamwood lies in its being so little known and just so little. Built in 1787, it is the embodiment of Palladian architecture in miniature, having a central block flanked by two octagonal pavilions linked to the main house by curved wings.

From the beginning, Hamwood has been occupied by the Hamilton family who, until earlier this century, acted as agents for successive Dukes of Leinster.

The front of the central block is taken up by a double drawingroom, its green walls bedecked with a mixture of paintings and gilded musical motifs; the diningroom behind contains a number of pictures by the artist Eva Hamilton, who was an aunt of the house's present owner.