Osterley Park and House

350 acres of paradise. I have many fond memories of Osterley Park as a child. I grew up near by and would go here at least once a week.
The grounds are a delight with a lake and ponds scattered throughout the park.
Lots of wildlife, farmers market, tea rooms and victorian bandstands. Everything that a true English man enjoys.
Make sure when you visit bring lots of bread for the ducks and carrots for the horses. Great place for a picnic with a loved one or a day out with your children.

Just went here for a mapping workshop with my year 5 class and the kids loved it! The sun was out and the grounds are so pretty. The house is a lovely sight and the lake really compliments it.
Nice farm open from Wednesdays in the week, as well as a café and shop. Staff running the workshop were very friendly and the children all really enjoyed themselves.
Definite place to go in the summer for a picnic or walk.

Osterley Park and House is a National Trust historic property situated near Isleworth about 30mins away from Heathrow airport.
This fantastic (originally Elizabethan) Georgian House and garden stand in a large parkland. The House was refurbished by the architect Robert Adam in the middle of the 18^th Century and claims to be one of the finest examples of his work in the United Kingdom. The house still has original furniture, really amazing ceilings, objects d’art from China and Japan, a fine collection of paintings from the Venetian school.
You can walk through the meadow at will or use the paths that have been mown through it and see butterflies, grasshoppers, beetles, etc. it is very relaxing and particularly enjoyable on a sunny day, There is also a large area of parkland with a lake and some marvellous old trees. They have a café and shop onsite also.
There is a small admission fee to see the house and the gardens.

Now in the care of the National Trust, Osterley Park and House is large 18^th Century mansion with extensive grounds in West London, renowned for its interiors by the famous architect Robert Adam. With the A4 to the south and the M4 to the north, and Heathrow a few miles to the west, it is an astonishing and often overlooked — oasis from the busy modern world around it. Its history begins with Sir Thomas Gresham, financial advisor to Elizabeth I and founder of the Royal Exchange. He bought the manor in 1562 and in 1576 demolished the existing farm house to build a large, red-​brick mansion, in which Elizabeth was entertained at least twice. The house was acquired by a speculator, Nicholas Barbon in 1683, but passed in 1713 to the founder of Child’s Bank, Sir Francis Child, in lieu of unpaid debts. In 1761 Child’s grandson, also named Sir Francis Child, commissioned Robert Adam to modernise the house and its interiors in the then-​fashionable classical style. Adam added the grand portico with doric columns to join the two wings and inserted Georgian windows, but retained the Tudor corner towers and spent most of his effort on the interior, where he also designed the carpets and furniture and fittings. Child’s brother inherited the house in 1763 and continued the work, also landscaping the grounds and creating a series of lakes and ponds. The large stable block was left largely untouched and remains essentially in its 16^th century form. The house ceased to be a main residence in the 19^th century, and in 1949 Lord Jersey gave the house to the National Trust. The house is one of the best surviving examples of Adams’ work, in part because it was largely untouched in the 19^th century. The main rooms on the first floor form the core of the house, and include a grand entrance hall and a particularly impressive Long Gallery. The rooms are an excellent example of Adams’ restrained style, and many of the ceilings, for example, are modelled on those from classical temples in Greece. A small selection of the family’s personal rooms is also open on the second floor, as well as most of the servants’ quarters (including a kitchen beer and won cellar and a strong room) literally ‘below stairs’ on the ground floor. Many rooms retain their original furniture, ornaments and even Adams’ carpets, and the strong room in particular has a very fine collection of swords, silver and silver gilt from the house, including an enormous silver wine bowl from William III’s reign. Unfortunately many of the family’s collection of paintings have been lost, and those in place now are on loan from the Victoria & Albert Museum. Frustratingly, most of the paintings are unlabelled and not recorded in the guide book, and on my visit the staff were unable to help out. Indeed, the presentation of the house is very formal but rather limited and, despite the best efforts of the guides, feels a little stiff and lifeless, notwithstanding the impressive interiors. More interpretation in the rooms and more informal details of the daily life of the house would go a long way to enriching visitors’ experience. A nice touch was a small exhibition of children’s paintings from a nearby school, following a visit. Outside, the 350 acres of grounds provide a rare example of the mixture of meadow, park, and gardens which once typified such houses. Oddly, interpretation is much better outside, and the huge spaces are great for kids to run around and undertake nature walks. The gardens are slowly being restored to their original 18^th century pattern, and include two neo-​classical summer houses built for entertaining, an American garden containing plants from the New World, and a Tudor walled garden. The flower beds are particularly attractive, and there is a long (half-​hour) woodland walk around the perimeter of the grounds, returning via the lake. The meadow and park never ploughed is left largely wild and contains a wide range of flora and fauna. The path takes in the boathouse island at the head of the lake and the remains of an ice house. The 16^th Century stable block is worth a look in its own right, and houses a gallery space, and the inevitable National Trust café and shop. Overall, and despite the shortcomings in presentation, this is a lovely place for an afternoon out of central London, and is often very quiet, so you really can have the house and gardens to yourself. Practicalities The house is about a mile and a half from Osterley underground station, or just under a mile from Osterley Library stop on the H28 bus. It is well signposted from the A4. An electric buggy is available to shuttle those less able to walk from the car park to the House (400m) and around part of the grounds. The house itself has very limited level access (lots of steps and some uneven floors) although a stair-​climber for unpowered wheelchairs is available enquire in advance. Charges (2008) House & Garden: £8 adult, £4 child, £20 familyGarden only: £3.50 adult, £1.75 childCar

Osterley Park and House is a National Trust property. Other than visiting the house it is a good place to go for a walk; there is a lake, large gardens at front and back of house, a tea rooms, and also a farm shop with lovely fresh produce. Take some bread to feed the ducks. Good place for dogs to run /​swim. There are toilets and good facilities for Wheelchair users or those who cannot walk too far. Parking is £2.50 which goes to National Trust, or you can park just off the small roundabout (near the Wyevale garden centre) and walk to the park alongside some fields; you will then arrive in the car park; it is about a mile.