Private Tour of the Great Houses of West London with Chauffeurs UK

London: Chiswick House, Domed Saloon

One of the most glorious examples of 18th-century British architecture, Chiswick House was designed by the third Earl of Burlington (1694-1753). A promoter of the Palladian style pioneered by Inigo Jones, Burlington sought to create the kind of house and garden found in the suburbs of ancient Rome. To do this, he employed William Kent to design sumptuous interiors to contrast with the pure white exterior. An exhibition and video tell the story of the house, grounds and Lord Burlington, including his 'grand tours' of Europe.
 
As you walk through the house, take in the splendour of the Gallery with its beautiful painted and gilded ceiling, and discover the Red, Blue and Green Velvet rooms. Then step into the classical gardens - a perfect complement to the house itself. The grounds are fascinating - look for the unique statuary in the Italianate gardens and the recently restored water cascade.
 
London: Syon HouseSyon House is the last surviving ducal residence complete with its country estate in Greater London. Take a look round the the Duke of Northumberland's London home, view the magnificent State and Private Apartments and enjoy the spectacular Great Conservatory and 40 acres of gardens.
 
Syon Abbey had become renowned for its spiritual learning, public preaching and library. It was favoured and visited by King Henry VIII's first wife, Catherine of Aragon but it got embroiled in the religious turmoil of the King's divorce and his subsequent action of making himself Supreme Head of the Church in England. In 1547, King Henry VIII's coffin was brought to Syon on its way to Windsor for burial. It burst open during the night and in the morning dogs were found licking up the remains! This was regarded as a divine judgement for the King's desecration of Syon Abbey.

London: Syon House, The Great ConservatoryIn 1594, Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland, acquired Syon through his marriage to Dorothy Devereux and the Percy family has lived at Syon House ever since.

London: Syon House, Flora's LawnIn 1750, Sir Hugh Smithson inherited the Percy estates through his wife, Elizabeth Seymour (the Percy family name had ceased due to the 11th Earl of Northumberland only producing a female heir). Proud of her ancestry, Elizabeth and her husband revived the Percy name. In 1750, Sir Hugh became Earl and then 1st Duke of Northumberland in 1766. The first Duke and Duchess of Northumberland were determined to make their mark on Syon Park; their solution was to completely redesign the estate.

The 1st Duke of Northumberland, (formerly Sir Hugh Smithson) is also responsible for starting the Percy family's North American connections. He fathered a natural son, James Smithson. James decided that his fortune, valued in excess of half a million dollars, should be left to the 'The United States of America, to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institute, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men'.

London: Osterley ParkOsterley Park is one of London's hidden gems. A fine Tudor house transformed into a neo-classical villa in the 18th century by Robert Adam, it is at the heart of a fine estate of woods, lakes and fields. Yet this peaceful haven is only eight miles from Piccadilly Circus and a short drive from Heathrow Airport.

With its impressive portico and stunning interior design and furniture, Osterley House offers one of the most complete examples of Adam's work. It was executed between 1760 and 1780 for the Child family, the immensely wealthy founders of Child's Bank. A 16th century stableblock also survives intact and is still in use today.

London: Osterley Park, Etruscan RoomThe beautiful grounds, which include formal gardens, meadow and classical garden buildings, are home to a wide range of animals and plants, including a host of unusual varieties of trees. Following the acquisition of more land around Osterley Park, work is ongoing to restore the entire estate to its 18th century glory.

The estate also includes the Jersey Galleries, which feature a programme of contemporary art from April to October and is also the base for Osterley Park's Artist-in-Residence.
 
Prices per vehicle, not per person
 
Number of People
Cost
1 or 2
£360
3 or 4
£420
5, 6 or 7
£470
 
Please contact us if you need a quotation for a larger group
 

What is Included

  • The expert services of your knowledgeable chauffeur-guide.
  • Luxury private transportation from and to any address in central London.
  • Complimentary bottled mineral water.
  • Our vacation-planning and concierge services.
  • Local taxes.

What is Not Included

  • Entrance and parking charges, where applicable.
  • Food and drinks, except mineral water.
  • Gratuities - these are left to your discretion.
 

 
Telephone: +44(0)20 8404 2356
 
When calling from Canada or the USA please dial:
011 4420 8404 2356
 
©Chauffeurs UK Limited 2008
Customers' Comments
 
Thank you so much for the wonderful tour of Canterbury, Dover, Leeds and St. Margaret's Church. Our family thoroughly enjoyed the entire day. We all feel that it was the highlight of our trip and we learned so much too. We all highly recommended you.

Best Regards

Lisa, Jay, James and Julia - USA
 
 
England is truly a land of enchantment from the architectural masterpieces throughout London to the picturesque countryside in The Lake District. Your vast knowledge of both these elements enhanced my visit ten fold. There is nothing I could have read or seen that would have prepared me for what I experienced.
 
Your attention to detail and genuine concern for comfort and enjoyment is second to none.

Sincerely,

David Mack – Florida, USA
 
 
Floyd and I want to thank you for the excellent tour you took us on. It definitely made my first trip to England very special. Thanks to you, in looking through the pictures, I also can recall the stories and history that goes along with them. The trip had some great memories, but it was too short, so I definitely have a list of things I still want to see in England. I'm sure we'll be contacting you again.

Take care, and thanks again.

Judy Frederickson - USA