Chiswick House and Gardens — Attraction in London

I can't visit Chiswick without coming here! It is a jewel to the decadant opulence of how the rich lived in ages past. And a gift to take in and feast upon for the modern visitor. The statues - lion and lioness (the best lions in London), it's feminine Sphynxes and urns lining the grand Roman/Greek funereal avenue at the back of the house, (also at the back of the house are two original Roman centurion marble busts) lawned on either side, and to it's right a ha-ha, and tall hedged avenues with their follies leading you into woodland walks, the Ionic Temple with it's accompanying obelisk set in the the centre of a circular pool, Joseph Paxton's immense orangery, the Italian gdns and James Wyatt's 1788 steep Bridge crossing the elongated lake with two cascading waterfalls with a path in between leading you to the side and front gravelled forecourt of the house with Greek busted pillars lining it's tall parameter hedging enclosing it from the rest of the grounds and the tall square pillars each with a feminine Sphynx that are either welcoming or warning you. There's also a cricket pitch up near the mahoosive tree and the Staveley Road entrance. And to the right of the front of the house you can find the toilets, huge cafe, and a playground. And if that's not enough, then of course there is the house...! Modelled on Palladio's Villa Rotunda at Vicenza by the 3rd Earl of Burlington between 1725 and 1729. With William Kent's spectacular plastered ceilings and fireplaces inspired by the works of Inigo Jones. It was built as a house of entertainment and the Earl's personal art gallery. He entertained the likes of composer Georg Friedrich Handel, satirist Jonathan Swift and poet Alexander Pope. In 1892 it became a private mental institution (what a wonderful place to go and be mad in) 😂 Bought by Middlesex County Council in 1928 There are far fewer mature trees here now from my last couple of visits. But I guess progress of renovations means cutting down the old and replacing with newer specimens. Which to my mind is a shame because they were planted to look grand in their maturity. Popular with dog walkers, couples, singles, groups, families and history buffs. In close proximity to Hogarth's House, Fullers Griffin Brewery, St Nicholas Church, Chiswick Old Cemetery aka Chiswick Burial Ground, Chiswick Mall and The River Thames Nearest stations are Chiswick Overground from Waterloo. And Turnham Green and Stamford Brook on the District Line. Alternatively you can get out at Hammersmith Broadway Metropolitan & City Line or Hammersmith District and Piccadilly Lines and walk to Hammersmith Bridge to walk along The River Thames pathway, past a plethora of quaint pubs, on through Chiswick Mall, St Nicholas Church Graveyard and Chiswick Old Cemetery turn right out of the cemetery into Corney Road and across Burlington Lane and into the park it's a wonderfully scenic route for those who enjoy a...

Chiswick House in London was built between 1726 & 2729 in the Neo-Palladian style and is one of the earliest examples. The house was designed by Richard Boyle,third earl of Burlington with advice from his protege William Kent who was a painter,architect and garden designer. It once stood alongside a Jacobean house but this was later demolished and two wings were added. In 1948 the house passed to the Ministry of Works who restored the house to its original size and design. The house is now in the care of English Heritage, the 65 acres of grounds with gardens, parklands,and lake is under the care of the Borough of Hounslow. The house is beautifully decorated with amazing ceilings in many rooms. The rooms are of different geometrical shapes arranged around a central octagonal hall and adhere to the rules of the architect Palladio. Entry to the house is free to English Heritage members, the gardens and parkland are free for all and have some lovely features, the lake has many species of water fowl and birds. There are plenty of grassed areas near the lake to sit and enjoy a picnic or you can visit the cafe situated next to the house. There is parking on site but it's by App only. It's called Pay by Phone. BEWARE! The Pay by Phone App has been copied by scammers so be careful as there are reports of money being taken from people's accounts,most commonly £59.99! Chiswick BR rail station served by SWR is about a 10 minutes walk away, the E3 bus...

Went here to see lightopia 2020, the lights were very creative and fun to see however the venue was really really bad.

I know the weather has been bad but there was a serious lack of thought for the public.

From metal and rubber mats on the floor which were uneven causing my son to trip over twice to the enormous amount of mud and lack of toilets (three half way around). There were a few kiosks for drinks and food by the toilets but no area to sit and eat (unlike events at kew gardens).

There were a couple of rides at the end for the kids which cost £2.50 each and last about 90 seconds, and a tent which had a chinese theme going on. There was an acrobatic show which was good but not mind blowing and a couple of guys who were actually doing some amazing crafts. One was modeling people from clay, the other did ink drawings in people's names (bought one for my kids cost £15).

In all it was expensive and other than the lights and the crafts at the end the visit was spoilt by the mud and lack of facilities. I won't be going next year, if you really want to see some amazing lights outdoors then go to kew gardens...