London, day 3, July 24th ~ Chiswick House And Gardens

Now that day #2 had been such a success and such a fantastic day I was ready for my 3rd day in London. There was a meeting with a friend planned for 4 p.m.
Other than that i had no plans yet.
I had breakfast and then did some planning in my hotel room. I was weighing up this and that when suddenly i remembered i had wanted to go to Chiswick Gardens if possible. Yes! The decision was made and i checked how to get there. Jubilee Line to Green Park and from there Piccadilly Line. It took me quite some time to figure out why the TFL journey planner insisted i would have to change for District Line at Hammersmith when the tube map showed that the Piccadilly Line serves Turnham Green? Yeah .. but not on Sundays at that time. ahhh! Okay, planning done, off i went. But as i like doing things my way, i changed lines at Barons Court, hehe. I don't know why i did that, i think Barons Court sounded nice. And it turned out the station had lovely clocks.

From Turnham Green station i walked to my destination. It is not the most beautiful walk once you have come to the Hogarth roundabout and turn into Hogarth Lane which is part of the A4 and it is a super busy and super noisy street with a lot of traffic and pollution, actually. But i knew it was all worthwhile. I came by Hogarth's House which i had not heard of before. The sign told me it will be open later that day and i decided to visit it on my way back.
I had been to Chiswick Gardens many moons ago. To be precise .. in July 1994. Back then i was going through a heavy Beatles phase. Armed with the then brand new book "The Beatles London" we went to Chiswick Gardens but only to check out the places where they had been. Fan-girling at its best :)

There are photos of a young me sitting on that cedar tree at exactly the spot where John had sat. I have no other memories of that beautiful park and we certainly didn't pay the slightest attention to the house (of course not, The Beatles had not been in Chiswick House, haha)

This time i made up for all what i missed back then, On entering the gardens via the Duke's Avenue Gate I escaped the noise and stepped right into a peaceful oasis.

At first i walked to the conservatory and then visited the Italian Gardens. (designed by Lewis Kennedy in 1812)

The conservatory

Inside the conservatory

Inside the conservatory

The beautifully laid out Italian Gardens are designed in crescent form as you can see on the map above. Here are some photos of this area.

view to the conservatory from the Italian Gardens

path to the sundial 

the sundial

I then strolled to the Inigo Jones Gateway

From there i wandered to the Exedra. A semicircular hedge designed by William Kent to incorporate Lord Burlington's collection of statues. The statues which are now there are copies while the originals are now found inside Chiswick House. 

And there are the old Cedars of Lebanon which played such an important part during my first visit to Chiswick Gardens. 

A path lined with urns and cypresses leads to the garden side of Chiswick House. 

Photographed with the house behind me

There was a bench in a far corner at the end of the lawn and i paused there for a while. There was this beauty around me. I was alone yet not lonely. It was just so perfect that words can't do it any justice. I was still under the impression from the day before and I felt so very happy and serene. 

I walked on and came to the Doric Column and from there my wanderings lead me to the area with the Ionic Temple and the Obelisk.

Then i came to the Classic Bridge and crossed it. When i had crossed it i had a really good view on the other Obelisk at the Burlington Lane Gate of the gardens. I did not go there though (even though i had plenty of time, it still wasn't enough to explore everything there). Instead i walked along the water. It is called the lake but it is more like a river. (On the website of Chiswick House and Gardens there is plenty of information about the lay-out of the gardens. It also explains the "lake". i will put the link at the end of this entry.)

I walked up to the Cascade which is so beautiful. I just love being near water. So that was way up my alley. I crossed that little bridge with the cascade and i sat down for a meditative moment at the lake. 

And if you want, you can pursue my walk with the following photos. 

The Doric Column

The column with a venus atop

quiet place to rest 

The Ionic Temple and the Obelisk 

in line

the Classic Bidge

view from the bridge

on the other side of the bridge

yet another view of the Classic Bridge

the Ionic Temple from the other side of the stream

the Cascade

After my contemplative pause at the water, i then walked to Chiswick House itself and equipped with an audio guide, i explored the house. I absolutely loved it! It was not really overrun which was nice. I took all the time i needed to listen to the information given by my little audio guide and marvel at all that was to see. I didn't take any pictures inside the house, actually i cannot even remember now if it was allowed or not? I think i was just busy enjoying it. But i have some photos of the house from outside which i will share now

the front of Chiswick House

the sphinxes

facing the sphinx

the backside of the house overlooking the gardens

After having explored the house in all its detail it was time for a short stop at the Café where i had some coffee and a sandwich and i was surrounded by people with kids and dogs in merry Sunday mood. It was just so perfect, really.

Refreshed and happy i prepared to leave this wonderful place behind. I had spent blissful hours there. It was not easy to leave but Hogarth's House was waiting for me and so was a friend later that day. 

More information here:

Chiswick House & Gardens