Guide to Chiswick House and Gardens
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
AN 18TH CENTURY VILLA | A CLASSICAL LANDSCAPE | AN ESTATE TO ENJOY Visitor Guide chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk About Chiswick House is one of the earliest examples of neo-Classical design in England and the gardens at Chiswick are the birthplace of the English Landscape movement. Richard Boyle, third Earl of Burlington designed and built Chiswick House from 1725–1729. The villa was inspired by the architecture and gardens of ancient Rome. The sumptuous interiors and key items of furniture were designed by William Kent, there is also a rich collection of Old Master paintings. The 65 acres of Grade 1-listed gardens have been loved for centuries, with their combination of grand vistas, architectural delights, water features and wilderness areas. The magnificent 19th-century conservatory houses the world famous heritage camellia collection, in bloom in early spring. In the 18th and 19th centuries, successive owners, most notably the Dukes of Devonshire, extended and changed the gardens. In 1929, the site was bought for the nation and became a public park for all to enjoy. We hope that you find this guide useful. Enjoy your visit. House Highlights 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1. The Chiswick Tables 6. The Green Men 2. Two Porphyry Urns 7. The Stone Dated Picture Frames 3. The Splendour of the Apses 8. The Blue Velvet Room Ceiling 4. Six Rysbrack Paintings 9. The Lead Sphinx 5. The Coffered Dome Chiswick House FIRST FLOOR N N N GROUNDGROUND FLOOR GROUND FLOOR FIRSTFIRST FLOOR FLOOR N 2 LINK ROOM 3 9 9 GALLERY SUMMER SUMMER 2 LINK ROOM LINK ROOM PARLOUR LINK ROOM PARLOUR 1 3 LIBRARY LIBRARY GALLERY 1 6 STAIRS 4 CELLAR CELLAR RED GREEN STAIRS DOMED STAIRS 6 STAIRS 4 VELVET SALOON VELVET ROOM ROOM 5 RED DOMED GREEN LOWER COURTYARD LOWER VELVET COURTYARD VELVET 7 TRIBUNE TRIBUNE SALOON ROOM 5 ROOM 8 7 BLUE BED VELVET CHAMBER 8 ROOM CLOSET BLUE BED MEDIA MEDIA VELVET CHAMBER ROOM ROOM ROOM CLOSET ENTRANCE ENTRANCE & SHOP & SHOP SUGGESTEDROUTE TOROUTE UPPER FLOOR HOUSE HIGHLIGHTS SUGGESTED ROUTE ROUTE TO UPPER FLOOR Planning Your Day Chiswick House The stunning neo-Classical villa is open every day 10am–5pm, except Tuesdays, from April-October. Children have free entry to the House and will love completing the house and gardens trail. Concessions and group discounts are available. Walled Kitchen Garden Visit the Kitchen Garden on Tuesdays and Thursdays 1.30pm– 3.30pm and on special open days to see our array of home grown produce. Tours Free drop in tours of Chiswick House are available with admission on Sunday at 2.30pm, and in the gardens in the summer. Alternatively, book a private house and garden tour for a truly memorable day out. Please check the website for special openings and closures. chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk Garden Highlights 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1. Chiswick House 6. Doric Column, Venus Statue and Rosary 2. Classic Bridge 7. Conservatory 3. Ionic Temple, Obelisk and Amphitheatre 8. Kitchen Garden 4. Exedra 9. Italian Garden 5. Inigo Jones Gateway Park Pedestrian underpass towards Road Chiswick High Road and Chiswick Gate Park or Turnham Green Stations 25 minutes walk A4 Great West Road Rustic (Westbound) House A4 Great West Road The Wilderness Gate Towards Hammersmith Car Park (Eastbound) The Wilderness (Sat Nav: W4 2RP) Hogarth’s House Eyecatcher Rustic House 5 minutes walk Duke’s Avenue Gate Staveley Classic Cherry Road 2 Bridge The Wilderness Gate Orchard Picnic area Walled Garden Cricket pitch & Pavilion Doric Column 3 & Rosary Amphitheatre 6 & Obelisk Walled 8 Kitchen Ionic Temple 4 Deer House Garden Learning Exedra Patte d’oie Centre (goosefoot) Estate Office 7 Conservatory Inigo Jones 9 Patte d’oie Gateway (goosefoot) Italian Garden Obelisk Historic Camellia collection Burlington 5 Annual Camellia Show in the Lane Gate Chiswick Conservatory to celebrate House Café the blooms in early spring Chiswick Station outside seating Free entry (Hounslow or Weybridge/London Waterloo) 10 minutes walk Cascade 1 Burlington Children’s Terrace Pavilion playground seasonal entertaining 190 Bus Stop Corney to Hammersmith Station Safety in the Gardens 0746 852 4874 (9am–5pm) Road Gate EMERGENCY: ALWAYS DIAL 999 E3 Bus Stop to Turnham Green Station River Thames and Thames Path National Trail Great Chertsey Road Gate Garden Highlights Spaces available for venue hire The car park is on the Westbound carriageway of the A4 Great West Road (Sat Nav: W4 2RP) Café with additional outdoor seating area, open daily Licensed for marriages and civil partnerships for refreshments Please: Keep cycling to the tarmac perimeter routes Please use the bicycle racks provided of the gardens. Garden Companion Guide Podcast – Toilets including wheelchair accessible and chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk/latest-news/podcast Dog-free areas are clearly signposted. baby change facilities The shop at Chiswick House – open when the Please keep dogs on short leads where indicated. Dog-free picnic area house is open Visit Chiswick House Café With indoor and outdoor seating, the Café serves delicious sandwiches, soups, and modern British cooking using produce from the Kitchen Garden. Shop and Produce Cart Visit the shop inside Chiswick House entrance to peruse a range of art and history books, local artisan items, accessories and gift cards and the Chiswick House bespoke range. Fruit, vegetables and flowers home grown on site in the kitchen garden are available outside the Café between 11am–12.30pm Tuesday and Thursday morning and then in the kitchen garden 1.30pm–3.30pm. Get Involved Chiswick House & Gardens Trust’s aim is to ensure that this heritage site is sustainable for current and future generations to enjoy. Donate today in boxes around the gardens or online. Enquire about becoming a patron to get further involved in our park. What’s on? Pick up a leaflet to discover our ongoing programme of community and special events. Venue hire and filming This beautiful and historic setting is available for a range of events including weddings, private / corporate events and filming. Volunteer opportunities are available to make new friends and get active. Our thanks to Chiswick House & Gardens Trust volunteers and the Chiswick House Friends for their help in maintaining this important Grade 1-listed heritage site. Contact us: [email protected] @chiswickhouseandgardens @Chiswick_House Chiswick House & Gardens Trust, The Estate Office, Chiswick House, London W4 2QN.