Look here for more information about the ongoing grounds works at Chiswick House.
Ongoing Works
See Also
Chiswick House and Gardens Trust
Find out about the restoration of Chiswick House Gardens from the Chiswick House and Gardens Trust website
Chiswick House and Gardens - Donate Now
All but £1 million remains to be raised for the £12.1 million garden restoration project at Chiswick House.
Palladio and Palladio 500
2010 continues to mark the 500th anniversary of the birth of the Italian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio (1508-1580)
Chiswick House
Front elevation oblique view. (c) English Heritage
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.
A promoter of the Palladian style pioneered in Britain by Inigo Jones, Burlington sought to imitate here the villas and gardens of the suburbs of ancient Rome. He employed William Kent to create sumptuous interiors to contrast with the pure exterior.
Inside, you can discover Old Master paintings, displayed to enhance the Red and Green Velvet rooms. They emphasise the artistic diversity of Burlington's combination of home and private gallery. A recently-acquired painting by Rysbrack (1685-1748), one of a set of views of Chiswick commissioned by Burlington, illustrates the relationship between the current Chiswick House and an earlier Jacobean mansion, which no longer exists.
The Italianate Classical gardens are a perfect complement to the house. There is level access to most of the grounds.Wander among the statues and look out for the buildings hidden in the trees.
We are working with the Chiswick House and Gardens Trust (registered charity 1109239), local groups and project partners on a major £12.1m project to revitalise the park and gardens.Work has started on a new café (due to open in 2010), and restoration of the gardens is under way, including the magnificent conservatory, home of the famous camellia collection. For more information including project events and activities, visit www.chgt.org.uk.
Opening Times:
| April 2009 to March 2010 | Opening Times | Opening Days |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – 30 April | 10am-5pm | Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun. |
| 1 May – 1 Nov | 10am – 5pm | Mon, Tue, Wed, Sun, & Bank Hols. |
| 2 Nov - 21 Dec - exclusive group access, please call for details | ||
| Closed 22 Dec - 31 Mar |
How much does it cost?
Adult:
£4.40 until 31 Mar 2010 / £5.00 from 1 Apr 2010
Children:
£2.20 until 31 Mar 2010 / £2.50 from 1 Apr 2010
Concession:
£3.70 until 31 Mar 2010 / £4.30 from 1 Apr 2010
English Heritage Members:
Free - Join English Heritage
Other:
Family Ticket: £11.00 until 31 Mar 2010 / £12.50 from 1 Apr 2010
How do I get there?
Address:
Chiswick - W4 2RP
Road Access:
Burlington Lane, W4
Train Access:
Chiswick 1⁄2 mile
Bus Access:
TfL 190 Hammersmith - Richmond; E3 Greenford - Chiswick
Tube Access:
Turnham Green 3⁄4 mile
Accommodation
Map Location:
Cycle Routes:
Telephone:
020 8995 0508
What facilities are available?
Facilities Available:
Facilities Details:
Toilets: Adapted WC available
Exhibition: Access via ramp.
Shop: Access via ramp
Exhibition: Access via ramp.
Shop: Access via ramp
Access:
Access to house: Via gravel court yard. One step at entrance - ramp available. Ground floor all level; first floor reached via spiral staircase or portico steps. Weather permitting, stair climber is available to first floor. Seats provided in video room, Dome Saloon and Lower Tribune. One wheelchair available in house.
Access to grounds: Level access on tarmac or gravel paths except for Terrace Walk owing to gradient. Benches provided.
Access to grounds: Level access on tarmac or gravel paths except for Terrace Walk owing to gradient. Benches provided.
Parking:
Disabled visitors may park outside the house by arrangement
Visually Impaired Visitors:
Audio tour included in admission price. Visitors to cellars should be accompanied; steep steps and low ceilings. Barrels may be touched.
Hearing Impaired Visitors:
Audio tour with hearing loop included in admission price.
What facilities are available for groups?
Group Discount:
15% discount for groups of 11 or more visitors paying together. Free entry for coach driver and tour leader.
Coach Parking Facilities:
As there is no coach parking on site, please park on Burlington Lane, 50 metres from the entrance.
Group Booking:
Contact the site for a Group Booking Form and for opening times and prices from 1 April 2010.
Average Length of Visit:
1 hour
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: 020 89950508
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: 020 89950508
William Kent & 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: 020 89950508
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.
Including refreshments.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Minimum-maximum pax: 11-25
Advance booking required: 3 weeks in advance
Call for prices and to book: 020 89950508
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: 020 89950508
Further Info
Parking available off the westbound A4; Audio available for the visually impaired, those with learning difficulties and in French and German; Dogs on leads only in restricted areas
To help you plan your journey to this property please click here
Disabled access (ground floor; wheelchair
stair-climber to first floor, please call to
confirm use prior to visit).
Dogs on leads (restricted areas only).
Parking (off westbound A4).
