Essential places to explore in Chiswick
Chiswick, situated in the West London boroughs of Ealing and Hounslow, is a vibrant area rich in scenic gardens, local heritage, and charming bookshops. It also boasts a variety of restaurants and chic boutiques. To help you make the most of your visit, here are our top recommendations for must-see spots in Chiswick.
Hogarth’s House
#FLODown: Hogarth's House, located in Chiswick, has been open to the public since 1904 and showcases the works of William Hogarth, a renowned 18th-century painter, engraver, and satirist. The house features a collection of Hogarth's prints and provides an opportunity to explore his former home. Visitors can also enjoy the reinterpreted garden, which highlights historic planting themes and is an excellent place for a stroll on a sunny day. The house reflects Hogarth's life and artistic legacy, offering insights into his contributions to art and social reform.
Location: Hogarth Lane Great West Road. London, W4 2QN. Price: Free. hogarthshouse.org.
Hogart's House. Chiswick. August 2024. Photo by MTotoe.
Chiswick House and Gardens
#FLODown: Chiswick House and Gardens, is a magnificent 18th-century villa set within 65 acres, renowned for its neo-Palladian architecture and as the birthplace of the English landscape garden. Once the property of the Dukes of Devonshire, the estate is now managed by the Chiswick House and Gardens Trust. Visitors can explore restored gallery rooms, adorned with opulent décor and housing an impressive art collection. The gardens, designed by William Kent, include a conservatory with Europe’s oldest camellia collection and a beautifully revived Kitchen Garden, one of the highlights of any visit. On weekends, local produce and flowers are available for purchase. Click here for a visual preview.
Location: Burlington Lane, Chiswick, London, Greater London, England, W4 2RP. Price: from £11 / £5.50 (Adult/Child) for House + Kitchen Garden Admission. Free for children under 5. Book now.
Chiswick House and Gardens. August 2024. Photo by MTotoe.
Devonshire Road
#FLODown: Devonshire Road is one of the best streets in Chiswick, with a great selection of independent shops, art galleries, cafés, and restaurants. You'll find stylish boutiques like Wild Swans, known for Scandinavian fashion, alongside fine dining restaurants like La Trompette and Napoli on the road, famous for their delicious pizzas.
Fosters Books, Chiswick. August 2024. Photo by MTotoe.
Fosters Books
#FLODown: Foster Books, the oldest shop on Chiswick High Road, is full of character, from its green cascade to its inviting interior and shelves overflowing with vintage books. The shop has a nostalgic, Dickensian feel. Owned by Stephen Foster, whose family has been selling books in Chiswick for nearly 50 years, Foster Books offers a wide variety of books, from collectors' items to childhood classics like those by Enid Blyton.
Location: 183 Chiswick High Road London W4 2DR. fostersbooks.co.uk.
Gunnersbury Triangle
#FLODown: Gunnersbury Triangle is a 2.57-hectare local nature reserve in Chiswick, created from abandoned allotments saved from development in the 1980s. This diverse habitat features wet woodlands, ponds, and acid grasslands, providing a haven for various bird species and small mammals among its sheltered birch and willow trees. Opened to the public in 1985, the reserve offers walkways and footpaths for exploring its tranquil scenery. It combines a unique blend of natural environments with historical significance as a protected green space.
Location: Bollo Lane, Gunnersbury, Chiswick W4 5LW. The entrance opposite Chiswick Park Tube Station. wildlondon.org.uk.
Chiswick hosts a plethora of markets on weekends. Photo by Meizhi Lang.
Chiswick markets
#FLODown: Chiswick boasts a variety of weekend markets, including a flower market, cheese market, vintage and antique market, and a record and CD fair. Click here to learn more about the markets you can explore during your visit to Chiswick.
The Chiswick Book Festival is held annually in Chiswick each September. Photo by MTotoe.
Chiswick Book Festival
#FLODown: The Chiswick Book Festival, held every September, offers a week of diverse literary events, covering genres such as history, poetry, and fiction. Since its launch in 2008, it has become a highly regarded event, featuring well-known speakers and expertly curated sessions on a wide range of topics. The sixteenth edition will run from 11 - 18 September 2024. This non-profit community event, hosted by St Michael & All Angels Church, raises funds for the church and three chosen charities.
