Chiswick House was one of the first and finest neo-Palladian villas to be built in England. It was designed by its owner, the 3rd Earl of Burlington, and built alongside his home, a large Jacobean mansion. The gardens became the birthplace of the English Landscape Movement due to the influence of Burlington’s friend, William Kent. 
This important book tells the story of the Chiswick House estate from the 17th Century Jacobean mansion through to the present day. It records the building of the villa, its history and its famous occupants, including Georgiana, charismatic Duchess of Devonshire, the future King Edward VII, and the clever elephant and spitting llama from the 6th Duke’s renowned menagerie.
During the 20th century the estate entered a gradual decline that included a period as a mental home before being sold by the Duke of Devonshire to the local council for public use as a park. This is the first book to bring the history of Chiswick House right up-to-date, including its recent £12-million regeneration.
This book is the definitive account of one of the country’s most iconic and important estates. Click on the image to head straight to the shop, or to find out more about the author, visit Gillian Clegg's page.
