When I was younger, I said I was never ever going to live in London. You couldn’t get me in that big scary city – no way, no thank you. Swap beautiful rolling green country side and animals for smog and miserable business people? Absolutely not. Of course, 5 year old me would be wholly disappointed in 27 year old me, but then 5 year old me wouldn’t know of the wonder of some of London’s absolute hidden gems. I’ve told you all about Bishops Park before, but today we’re exploring Chiswick House & Gardens…
An arbitrary Google about the history of Chiswick (pronounced Chissick much to my embarrassment when I was informed the ‘w’ is silent…) House and Gardens will tell you:
“The House is an internationally renowned neo-palladian masterpiece, and the gardens widely considered to be the first expression of the British Landscape Garden Movement”
But a wonder around will have you feeling like you’ve stumbled up on London’s very own version of The Secret Garden. The grounds are stunning – a little river winds lazily around the grounds where Swans laze around waiting to be fed…
Couples keeping each other company on a Sunday stroll…
Taking in the sites of the imposing, but spectacular Chiswick House…
But to get to my favourite part of Chiswick House and Gardens, meander through their maze (pretending you’re in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is of course, optional, but encouraged.)
Eventually, you’ll stumble upon the greenhouse. You might even walk past it, thinking it’s a derelict outbuilding, but it’s not! Sneak round the front to the entrance and step inside…
I honestly feel like I’ve come across something magical when I step in to this little world. It’s so quiet, and the rows of beautiful flowers maintained and pruned to perfection… I like to reassure five year old me that actually, there is peace and quiet and prettiness to be found in London, you just have to look a little harder for it sometimes… That makes the pay off that little bit more spectacular though if you ask me…
There’s an overpriced cafe, and also throughout the winter they have the Chiswick light show which is great for kids – lots of light up inflatable animals which is very sweet (although super depressing in the day when they’re all deflated, maybe don’t take the kids then unless you want to majorly upset them – deflated unicorns are a bit of a harrowing site..! 😂).
It really is a beautiful spot for a walk, or a picnic, or both. It’s dog friendly, so you can take your friend along with you, too!
Happy as a pig in- I mean, a country girl in the city…
Chiswick House is free to get into too, so its the perfect little Sunday trip for all the family 🙂 …
Have you been? What are your favourite places to get your country-side fix in London?
Kate x
What absolutely beautiful photos! I’ve never been to Chiswick House, do you think Dougie would enjoy wandering around it? I’d love to go, I really enjoy exploring areas like this in London!
You look really lovely in these photos, and so cool that you can take your dog along to Chiswick House – now you HAVE to get a pup…
It’s still technically London – Richmond Park is my favourite place to escape to the countryside, or Box Hill, so beautiful any time of year for long walks and exploring!
Beautiful post, and I’m SO HAPPY you’re posting again! 💕💕💕
Hels xx
http://www.thehelsproject.com
Author
Aww thank you lovely! I bet Dougie would love it, lets go on a day-date there soon, we can feed the ducks with him! The gardens are so pretty and heaps of room to run around and play! There are so many gorgeous doggos waiting to be met in the park, and the house itself is beautiful.
Oh yes beautiful Richmond Park – I couldn’t agree more! And Box Hill is so stunning!
xxx
Aww, I wish I got there when I was in London. It looks really pretty there. I’ll have to make plans to go there one day! I love your photos!
Author
There’s so many lovely parks to be found in London, it’s so surprising! You’ll have to add it to your list for when you come back!
Kate x
I love your posts about the hidden places in London as I would have absolutely no idea that they existed! This looks like such a lovely place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a little while.
Love,
Hayley x
lifethroughtsg.com
Author
Aww thank you Hayley! When you come down you’ll have to explore some of them – we can go together!
Kate x
Oh babe, I’m so happy that you’ve posted this blog post as my husband and I have been wanting to find some new places that we can explore this Spring and Summer. It looks so stunning here, thank you for sharing 🌸💜✨
With love, Alisha Valerie. x
http://www.alishavalerie.com | http://www.twitter.com/alishavalerie
Author
Ooh it’s perfect – def check it out!
Kate x
Looks beautiful, I love hidden places like this in London!
Steph x
http://www.wanderlustpulse.com
Author
Its so fun hone you find them isn’t it?!
Kate x
Your photos as always is so beautiful! Love a good london gem, I have heard of this place but surprisingly I don’t beilive we have ever been and I’m glad actually. Recently been feeling like we’ve done everything but clearly not. Defo a great Sunday motive! Thank you for sharing, looks like you had a fab time!
Jessica & James | http://www.foodandbaker.co.uk / http://www.foodandbakertravels.co.uk
Author
Aww thanks so much guys! Def check it out – the cake is slightly over priced but actually pretty worth it if you ask me! It’s also beautiful for picnics in the summer, too!
Kate x
It’s official, I NEED to visit this place! Right now I am exactly like you were in the past, adamant that London is definitely not for me! However, gorgeous places like this might just change my mind! Chiswick House looks absolutely stunning, and I bet the gardens are even more incredible in the summer! It looks like the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and smell the flowers – exactly as you are doing here! The thought of the poor deflated light-up unicorns did make me giggle, does that mean I have a sick sense of humour?! Thank you for the tip about the pronunciation as well, I definitely would have made the same mistake and pronounced the W, inspiring eye rolls from everyone else haha! Great to see you back in the blocking game, we missed you!
Abbey xoxox
Author
Hahaha I know, its so funny how you can wind up changing your mind about a place, I can’t imagine anywhere other than London being my home now tbh! Chiswick is beautiful, we should do a lovely blogger picnic here. Oh my god the ‘dead’ unicorn honestly cracked me up, I think we BOTH have sick senses of humour if thats the case. I honestly pronounced it Chis-whick for years. until someone pointed out to me – super embarrassing! haha. And thank you so much lovely, its grand to be back!
Kate x