|
Syon Park, situated halfway between Central
London and Heathrow Airport, is the home of
the Duke of Northumberland. Set within the
200 acre park something can be found for
all the family. As well as the House and
Gardens discover the Snakes and Ladders
indoor adventure playground, the
London Butterfly House and the
Aquatic Experience. Housed in the former
stables is Wyevale garden centre, an aquatic
retail outlet, pet care supplies and
needlecraft centre. Nearby is an art centre
and a National Trust gift shop. Enjoy a
snack or lunch in the Patio Cafeteria, or
picnic by the lake in the gardens.
Syon House itself has a fascinating
history. It is built on the site of a
medieval abbey dissolved by King Henry VIII.
His coffin, lying at Syon on its way to
Windsor for burial, burst open during the
night and in the morning dogs were found
licking up the remains!. This was regarded
as a divine judgement for his desecration of
the abbey. Other royal visitors to Syon
include Charles I, Princess (later Queen)
Victoria and members of the present Royal
Family. In the 1760s Robert Adam created
some of his finest work inside Syon House
for the first Duke of Northumberland,
leading Sir John Betjamin to describe it as
the "Grand Architectural Walk".
Gardens at Syon
were created here as long ago as the 16th
century. In the mid-18th century the
parkland was landscaped by Capability Brown
to include two lakes, one of which is now
the Trout Fishery. Today Syon has 30 acres
of gardens which incorporate the Great
Conservatory, a Rose Garden, Flora's Lawn
and over 200 species of rare trees.
Opening Times and Admission
Please telephone to confirm opening
times and admission prices.
Please note that there are separate
admission prices to the
London Butterfly House , the
Aquatic Experience and Snakes and
Ladders. |
