Guided Tours
General Tour of House
Come and be inspired by the most glorious examples of 18th century English villa, inspired by a love affair with Italy. We will take you on a ‘Grand Tour’ with the Earl of Burlington, which resulted in this iconic house being built and examine the influence it had on the architecture in England and America. We will also be talking about general social history of the era, as well as touching on the newly installed paintings, including recently discovered Rubens, as well as interiors by William Kent.
Duration: 1 hour
Minimum-maximum pax: 11-25
Advance booking required: 3 weeks in advance
Call for prices and to book: 0208 995 0508
Secret Symbolism at Chiswick House
The tour explores the mystical symbolism contained in the art and architecture at Chiswick House, suggesting that the 18th century neo-classical property may have been built as a Masonic Lodge.
Powerful symbolism contained in the paintings, the unusual, geometric proportions of the villa and even the Masonic blue and red of the rooms, help turn on its head the popular belief that the property was built for entertaining and point to its real use, according to tour guide Ricky Pound. Masonic symbols and clues at Chiswick House include: paintings featuring figures displaying triangular finger gestures replicating the Masonic triangle and compass or with fingers to lips; painted rats (death) and snakes (rebirth) or Green Men are carved into the marble mantelpieces.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Minimum-maximum pax: 11-25
Advance booking required: 3 weeks in advance
Call for prices and to book: 0208 995 0508
William Kent and Chiswick House
William Kent was one of the most sought after talents of the ‘Augustan’ age. Life long friend of the Lord Burlington and co-architect of Chiswick House, Kent was eventually buried in the Burlington family vault at Chiswick parish church.
This tour of Chiswick House will concentrate on William Kent’s contribution to the villa in three main areas: as a painter, interior designer and landscape gardener. On the tour we will be visiting the House, the grounds (see the Temples, obelisks and the Cascade), as well as going into the local cemetery to see a fantastically ornate classically decorated sarcophagus which could only have been designed by William Kent.
Refreshments included.
Duration: 1.5 hours (please note that a moderate level of fitness is required for this tour)
Minimum-maximum pax: 11-25
Advance booking required: 3 weeks in advance
Call for prices and to book: 0208 995 0508
Classical and Mythological Tour
This tour investigates some of the rich mythology within the many paintings at Chiswick House and its surrounding gardens. Telling some of the popular tales which fascinated the ancient peoples of Greece and Italy, the tour will take you to see the temple and mysterious sphinxes outside as well.
Refreshments included.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Minimum-maximum pax: 11-25
Advance booking required: 3 weeks in advance
Call for prices and to book: 0208 995 0508
An Ideal City-State: Chiswick House and Imperial Precedent
This tour will evaluate the influence of Roman architecture and its iconography on the 3rd Earl of Burlington’s Neo-classical Villa and Gardens at Chiswick. In considering these topics the tour will then address the question as to whether Chiswick Villa was conceived primarily as a domestic residence, a ‘Temple or the Arts’, or as an idealised representation of ancient Rome itself?
Duration: 1.5 hours
Minimum-maximum pax: 11-25
Advance booking required: 4 weeks in advance
Call for prices and to book: 0208 995 0508
