A few weeks ago I went on a wander with my camera around a
small patch of Italy situated five minutes from my house – Chiswick House &Gardens, just over the Chiswick Bridge. The first time I visited a few years ago, I
was puzzled by the fact that it’s called a house, but that it’s almost
completely filled with paintings and sculptures – no bedrooms or dining/cooking
rooms. I imagined that perhaps there had
been at one time, but they’d been converted.
But now I don’t think that’s the case at all. In the 18th century it was
fashionable for the British nobility to take a Grand Tour of Europe to collect
classical works of art. Then to show off
their status and taste they often had houses constructed purely for displaying
their treasures. So it’s a strange and
wonderful place – in time, purpose and place.
If you go to Chiswick House in the depth of winter, it has
to be one of the most tranquil retreats in the London area. The only people you see are dog walkers and
perhaps a few photographers. Still they’re
few and far between. It’s like minibreak
to Vicenza and having it all to myself.
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