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About Chiswick
Chiswick is
a leafy, attractive and affluent area only 6 miles west of central London.
The area is roughly circular, two miles across, with heritage-listed Bedford
Park area to the north and a long lazy loop of the river Thames to the
south.
It's a mostly residential, village-like sort of place, awash with cafes,
restaurants, trees, and interesting boutique shops, with architecture ranging from Palladian
Chiswick House to elegant 1880's houses by Norman Shaw and swish
twenty-first century offices by Richard Rogers.
The name "Chiswick" is of Old English origin meaning "Cheese Farm" and
originates from the riverside meadows and farms that are thought to have
supported an annual cheese fair on Dukes Meadows up until the 18th century.
Chiswick was first recorded c.1000 as Ceswican.
Chiswick House was designed by the Third Earl of Burlington, and built for
him, in 1726–9 as an extension to an earlier Jacobean house (subsequently
demolished in 1788); it is considered to be among the finest surviving
examples of Palladian architecture in Britain, with superb collections of
paintings and furniture. Its surrounding grounds constitute one of the most
important historical gardens in England and Wales, and mark a significant
step on the road to the picturesque aesthetic in garden design.
Chiswick is also home to "Hogarth House", the former home of the 18th
century English artist William Hogarth.
Many actors and television celebrities choose to call Chiswick home
due to its desirability and proximity to the BBC.
Chiswick is ideally situated for transport, with easy access to the
Underground, mainline rail and bus networks. Chiswick lies at
the beginning (or end) of the M4 motorway - London Heathrow airport can be
quickly reached within 20 minutes, travelling westbound. Heading
eastbound, we are only 6-7 miles from London's famous west end.
Articles:
Chiswick chic steals Notting Hill's thrill - NY Times, May 2006
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