Chiswick House & Gardens

This weeks ‘culture day’ took me (and the ‘GLW’ who accompanied me for the day) a little further afield than the City and its immediate surroundings, as it involved a jaunt down to south west London to visit ‘Chiswick House & Gardens’.

Chiswick House itself was built between 1726 and 1729 and is one of the earliest neo-Palladian structures still standing in England.

Through the centuries the house and its substantial garden estate, has been owned by numerous Duke’s of Devonsh…ire. However, the costs of maintaining the estate throughout the years, proved too much to manage through private funds, and so in 1929 the estate was sold to Middlesex Council – then in 1948, ownership passed to the Ministry of Works, and then subsequently on to the care of English Heritage – whilst the gardens and grounds are now in the care of the Borough of Hounslow.

My personal opinion is that Chiswick House & Gardens is far more interesting and enjoyable than nearby Kew Gardens – and as it only cost £8 admission to get into the house itself, with estate grounds being completely free – then its also a cheap day out. It’s easy to get to as well, as it is not far from Turnham Green station on the District Line, or just a brief walk from Chiswick station overground.

All in all, a great place to visit for a good old family day out