CHISWICK HOUSE
& GARDENS
‘To see the
world in a grain of sand
And heaven in
a wild flower
Hold infinity
in the palm of your hand
And eternity
in a hour’
William Blake
20th
August 2016
Chiswick House & Gardens is outside of the usual tourist
trail in London. A little known, gem of
a place. Even to me, who worked in this
area for three years in the 1980s. I
didn’t know it existed until the last couple of years and what a find. It is easily accessible from central London,
approximately 30 minutes from Waterloo, although it might be a bit tricky to
find from Chiswick Railway Station. Gunnersbury station, on the London
underground, is probably easier to navigate from. I took a 237 bus from West London, which goes
past the London Museum of Water and Steam, the Musical Museum, and the turn-off
for Kew Gardens. The same bus also comes
in from the opposite direction from Shepherds Bush. Get off the bus at Clifton Gardens, turn down
Dukes Avenue, go under the subway to the other side of the motorway, and enter
through the woody entrance to the gardens.
The gardens are free of charge although to see the house there is a
small fee. The house isn’t open on
Saturdays so check opening times before you go.
Either take a left turn and walk straight to Chiswick House,
or continue walking until you arrive at the pond and walk around it until you
get to the bridge.
I was greeted at the pond by a couple of Egyptian Geese,
which have distinctive pink feet. They
were brought from their native Africa around 300 years ago, and have taken
about as long to acclimate to our variable English weather. Until recently, they were mainly found in the
Norfolk area of England but are now found in a wider area across London. Originally, they were brought to these shores
as ‘ornaments’, and beautiful ornaments they do make!
Go over the bridge, take a right turn and the walk brings
you past the Ionic Temple [The Orangery] and further along, a reconstruction of
a Roman garden with some very interesting statues.
Directly in front, is a great view of Chiswick House and a
fabulous avenue lined with trees. To the
left is the extension of the pond – if you have children, be careful as there
are no barriers at the water’s edge.
Walking around Chiswick House, there is a play area for
children, and a small café. Towards the
right side there is a cricket pitch. The
gardens date from the 18th century [1725], and were a creation of
Lord Burlington and William Kent. They are
reportedly influential in the creation of Blenheim Palace and New York’s
Central Park. The area is designed in ‘neo-Palladian’
style and had a major refurbishment in 2010.
The Beatles filmed videos for Paperback Writer and Rain, fifty years ago
here!
Moving on through the gardens, you will come to the
beautiful Italian Gardens bordering the Conservatory. The colours of the flowers are
incredible. The Conservatory houses
camellias first brought to the gardens from their native China 200 years ago.
It is said that the then Duke of Devonshire, used to hold
lavish parties here. Including, in 1844,
a garden party for Nicholas I of Russia!
At one point, even two giraffes were brought from London Zoo to the
gardens, but we are probably all glad that no longer happens [poor giraffes
would be terrified of all the partygoers!].
I have not been to a more beautiful and tranquil spot for
many years. If it wasn’t for a view of
two construction cranes in the distance, one could be deep in the English
countryside hundreds of miles from the urban landscape. However, all too soon, it was time to
depart. If you have time, before heading
back to your home or hotel, wander around the Chiswick area. There are plenty of shops, pubs and
restaurants and Turnham Green is a nice photo stop.
Above is a picture of Turnham Green Church, and a memorial
to the lost in the Great War [1914-1918]. Talk to you again soon......
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