Orange Tree Garden
Orange Tree Garden
Chiswick House Grounds, W4, Chiswick, lies between the A4 (Hogarth Lane) to its north, and Burlington Lane to its southeast. It is bordered by private houses on its other sides.
Dating from the early 18th century, it is an important historic estate, based on the Palladian architecture of Chiswick House. It has become an much loved and much fought over park in modern times.The landscape was originally inspired by the designs that were common in 17th century Europe; order superimposed on nature, in the style seen at Hampton Court. The formal layout can be seen on either side of the main house; notably the walk away to the northwest from Chiswick House. This is lined with Italian Cypress trees, vases and monuments, and it leads to the 'Doric Column'; this is one of the monuments. From here, the 'wilderness', a goose-foot pattern begins, comprised of allees defined by with tall yew hedging. These radiating paths takes visitors to focal points. Unlike at Hampton Court, the extent to which tree cover dominates this garden is such that it is sometimes difficult to see this pattern unless one knows it is there, or sees it from a map.
To the south-west of the central axis, is the long lake, with its picturesque bridge, often used as one of the defining images for this park.To the north-east of this axis is the Camellia Conservatory. In front of it are formal gardens, again laid out in a rigid geometric pattern.
There are a number of distinct little garden settings, which are worth seeking out. Note especially the 'Orange Tree Garden' with the obelisk in the pond, with the temple as a backdrop (this is to the southwest of the focus of the goosefoot).Just within the surround walls of the estate, there are long scenic walks under trees.
A cricket table occupies a substantial area to the south of the lake. It is surrounded by trees and gardens, and fits well into the landscape.The grounds are now a grade 1 listed landscape for English Heritage.
Most important of course of these, is Chiswick House itself. It was not originally a dwelling house, rather a part of the whole landscape, a garden house for entertainment and to function as a gallery. Additions were later added to make it a usable dwelling.
Other notable features of the grounds include the Camellia Conservatory, one of the earliest large glasshouses in Britain, built in 1812. It is possible that some of the camellias in it today date back to the original building. Unfortunately it is closed at present (2007) and is awaiting repairs.There are many other artifacts and ornaments in Chiswick House Grounds today. They include an obelisk, numerous statues, urns, vases, and other garden ornaments.
Particularly well known is the scenic bridge across the lake that is often seen in photographs.Chiswick House was inspired by the sights Lord Burlington had seen on his travels to Italy. It was built in the years after 1725.
Several landscape architects have been involved in its design. The original formal landscape was designed by William Kent. It was modified and softened later on, first in the English landscape style, then into more horticultural tastes in Victorian times.The estate was let to wealthy tenants in the later 18th century, and finally was sold to the Middlesex County Council in 1929. It has since been managed as a public park.
Much of it became rather overgrown in periods of low maintenance in the 20th century, and it continues to remain in this state. This is at least partly due to local pressure to keep the overgrown areas as wildlife habitat. There are current projects to restore the grounds, and to maintain parts of the overgrown areas as conservation resource. Further details of some of these can be seen on the newsletters and the website of the Friends group,The grounds are managed by CIP for the London Borough of Hounslow. There is an active Friends grounp, the Friends of Chiswick House. The house is managed by English Heritage.