Chiswick House, London (London)

Chiswick House is among the most glorious examples of 18th-century British architecture.

Summary Art and sculpture Gift shop Information provided Learning facilities Gardens

Introduction

Chiswick House is among the most glorious examples of 18th-century British architecture. The third Earl of Burlington, who designed this elegant Classical villa, drew inspiration from his 'grand tours' of Italy.

History to the present day

Chiswick House was inherited by Richard Boyle, 3rd Earl of Burlington and of Cork. The mansion was a medium sized jacobean mansion used as a summer retreat to get away from the heat of London in the same way as Marble Hill, Strawberry Hill and Syon Park were used. He decided to add to the house by building a villa to one side solely to hold his collection of art and furniture. Since there was accommodation provided there was no need for bedrooms in the new annex. The "architect earl" designed it with William Kent and built it in 1726-9. Kent also designed the gardens which according to the Chiswick House and Gardens Trust Web site were the inspiration for the English landscape garden.

Burlington's daughter Charlotte married William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire, and the house and gardens passed to that family after her early death in the 1750s. The house was used occasionally by the Devonshires, who had many other residences, and they added two small wings to the villa to increase the amount of accommodation. Built in 1788 these were designed by James Wyatt in a sympathetic style, but inimical to the concept of the house as a compact perfectly formed villa, and were removed in 1952.

The 9th Duke of Devonshire sold Chiswick House to Middlesex County Council (with contributions from public subscription including King George V) in 1929. The grounds are now in the care of the London Borough of Hounslow.

The octagonal domed Palladian villa is inspired by the Villa Capra "La Rotonda" near Vicenza and at the same time a fine example of 18th-century architecture, with its colonnaded portico on the upper storey, the frescoed ceilings, the velvet rooms and the stone rooms. It differs from the Villa Capra in having three different designs to the facades (front, back, and two matching sides) rather than being symmetrical all the way round. There is also a superb collection of paintings and Palladian furnishings.

The villa was never intended for occupation, having no bedrooms or kitchen, instead being a place to display Burlington's collection. Other, not universally supported, interpretations of the building's purpose have it as a Masonic Temple.

Grounds and gardens

The gardens, like the villa, were inspired by Italian Renaissance gardens and classical architecture and literature, in particular by the gardens of Roman villas described precisely in the letters of the Roman historian Pliny; gardens with alleys shaded by trees, with parterres, topiary, and fountains. The first architect of the gardens was Charles Bridgeman, who worked on them until 1720, and then William Kent, whom Lord Burlington had met during his second journey to Italy in 1723.

The gardens were filled with symbolic architectural constructions which showed Burlington's knowledge of Roman, Greek, Renaissance architecture, and statues and architecture which expressed his political ideals. The garden included a small model of the Pantheon and an obelisk. A theater of hedges displayed busts of Caesar and Pompey, responsible for the decline of the Roman republic facing a statue of Cicero, the defender of the Republic. This was intended as a criticism of the policies of Burlington's opponent, Prime Minister Robert Walpole..

William Kent added a cascade, inspired by the upper cascade of the gardens of the Villa Aldbrandini. Kent's garden also featured a flower garden, an orchard, a carefully-planned grove of trees. and a garden of orange trees, surrounding the small replica of the Pantheon.

The lawn at the rear of the house was created by 1745 and planted with cypresses alternating with stone urns.

A lake was created around 1727 by widening the Bollo Brook which is today carried on the bed of the lake in a pipe. The Classic Bridge was constructed in 1774 and its design is attributed to James Wyatt.

A gateway designed by Inigo Jones in 1621 at Beaufort House in Chelsea and was removed and rebuilt by Burlington at Chiswick House in 1738.

The grounds of Moreton Hall, an adjoining property to the East were added in 1812, the Hall itself was demolished. The Italian Garden was laid out on the newly acquired grounds in that year to a design by Lewis Kennedy. The Conservatory adjoining the Italian Garden was completed in 1813, and at 96m was the longest at that time. A collection of Camellias is housed in the Conservatory some of which survive from 1828 to this day.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Chiswick House, London, , United Kingdom

Opening times:

1 – 30 April: 10am-5pm, 7 days a week
1 May – 1 Nov: 10am – 5pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Sun, & Bank Holidays
2 Nov - 21 Dec - exclusive group access                                                   

Closed 22 Dec - 31 Mar
Chiswick House is open to the public. Unfortunately, due to ongoing works, much of the park around Chiswick House is inaccessible to ensure public safety and the car park is closed until the end of May.

Prices:

Adult:£4.40

Children:£2.20

Concession:£3.70

Family Ticket: £11.00

Photographs are copyright of the English Heritage Photo Library