The Chiswick House & Gardens
One of the vibrancy of London is its variety of things to see and do in London .An elegant example of British 18th- century architecture, inspired by a love of Italy. Commissioned by the third Earl of Burlington and styled on Roman architecture, you can experience the grandeur of Burlington's home. Recently installed additions to the collection of paintings now compliments the beautiful painted and gilded ceilings. The house is also surrounded by Italianate classical gardens. With their statuary and half-hidden temples, they form a perfect setting for the house. All these London attractions are always on the top of the visitors’ itinerary. Hop on and Hop off London Bus Tours is the best way to see the sights and sounds of the city with all freedom to hop on and hop off at your favourite destinations and travel London at your leisure.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE GARDEN
Chiswick House Gardens is a site of international importance both as the birthplace of the English Landscape Movement, and as the setting for one of the most beautiful houses in London. The regeneration of the gardens is a result of many years of campaigning, four years of fund-raising and two years of work on the site. English Heritage (manager of the House) and the London Borough of Hounslow (owner of the Gardens) established The Chiswick House and Gardens Trust as an independent charity to drive forward an ambitious rescue plan for the Gardens and secure its future for the 21st century.
Chiswick House Gardens, spread over 65 acres, are known throughout the world as the birthplace of the English Landscape Movement and have inspired countless designed landscapes from Blenheim Palace in Oxford, to Central Park in New York. They were originally created by Lord Burlington and William Kent who worked on them throughout the 1720’s and 1730’s as a setting for Lord Burlington’s magnificent Chiswick House, the first and one of the finest examples of neo-Palladian design in England.
Among the many famous features of the gardens are:
Lord Burlington and William Kent's Western Lawn linking the House and lake, dating from the 18th century.
The Inigo Jones Gateway, acquired by Lord Burlington in 1738 from his friend Sir Hans Sloane;
The Cascade, an Italian renaissance-style waterfall designed by Burlington and Kent dating from around 1738;
Exedra, a lawn lined by alternating cypresses and stone urns closed by a semicircular dark yew hedge, forming a backdrop to Lord Burlington's collection of ancient Roman and 18th century sculpture;
The Lake, crossed by an elegant stone bridge, in a design attributed to James Wyatt;
The Raised Terrace, planted with sweet shrubs including roses and honeysuckle which offers celebrated views of the Villa;
The Conservatory, completed in 1813, with the oldest collection of camellias outside China and Japan.
Visit all these and many more London sightseeing attractions with London tour and get the best of the European Vacation trip at London.