Chiswick House

Lonely Planet review

This is a fine Palladian pavilion with an octagonal dome and colonnaded portico. It was designed by the third Earl of Burlington (1694-1753) when he returned from his grand tour of Italy, fired up with enthusiasm for all things Roman. Lord Burlington used it to entertain friends and to house his library and art collection.

Inside, some of the rooms are so grand as to be almost overpowering. The dome of the main salon has been left ungilded and the walls are decorated with eight enormous paintings. In the Blue Velvet Room look for the portrait of Inigo Jones, the architect much admired by Lord Burlington, over one of the doors. The ceiling paintings are by William Kent, who also decorated the Kensington Palace State Apartments.

Lord Burlington also planned the house's original gardens, now Chiswick Park surrounding the house, but they have been much altered since his time. The restored Cascade waterfall is bubbling again after being out of action for years.

The house is about a mile southwest of the Turnham Green tube station and 750m northeast of the Chiswick train station.