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Described by John Betjeman as 'The Grand Architectural Walk', Syon House and its 200 acre park is the London home of the Duke of Northumberland, whose family has owned it for 400 years. Originally the site of a medieval abbey, it was recently excavated by 'Time Team' and Birkbeck College.

The abbey was dedicated to the Bridgettine Order, founded in the 14th century by the great Swedish mystic St Bridget. One of the last great abbeys to be built (completed in 1431), Syon was brutally dissolved by King Henry the Eighth in 1539 and remodelled as a house in 1547.

The House has had a truly colourful history; in 1547 King Henry the Eighth'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. It was also at Syon that Henry the Eighth's great niece, Lady Jane Grey, reluctantly accepted the crown.

Other royal visitors have included Queens Catherine of Aragon and Catherine Howard, the Stuart monarchs, Queen Victoria and the present Royal Family.

The gardens at Syon have been renowned for their extensive collection of rare trees and plants since 'Capability' Brown landscaped the park in the mid 18th century. It is registered as a Grade 1 landscape in the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Historic Importance in England.

In 1761, Robert Adam created some of his finest some of his finest interiors at Syon for the First Duke of Northumberland. It was remodelled in the grand neo-classical style, in which the Duke and Duchess entertained on a lavish scale.

Hospitality and Weddings:

Syon Park has two spectacular historic buildings to hire for corporate or private functions, Syon House and the Great Conservatory.

Syon House is a perfect venue all year round to hold dinners, small concerts, promotions or lectures. The Great Hall in Syon House is licensed for civil wedding ceremonies but all wedding receptions are held in the Great Conservatory, situated in the gardens. Marquees can be erected in the grounds for fashion shows, balls or conferences for up to 1000 people (in some parts of the grounds the numbers can be increased).

The Great Conservatory is a seasonal venue (April to October only) and is only available in the evenings after 6pm. Situated in the gardens, the Great Conservatory makes an ideal and magical setting for wedding receptions, parties, promotions and even opera. The building is illuminated at night and clients are welcome to enjoy the surrounding gardens.

Recommended outside caterers service all the Syon Park functions and a list is available on request. For more information and contacts, please see the Website.

Filming:

The location of Syon Park and its historical buildings and landscaped parkland offers a unique setting for feature films, television dramas and photography shoots for magazines and newspapers. Syon Park has featured in films such as The Madness of King George, Emma, The Avengers, The Golden Bowl, The Wings of a Dove and TV dramas, Wives and Daughters, Love in a Cold Climate, The People’s Duchess and The Antiques Roadshow.

Opening Times - 2010:

House:
17th March - 31st October: Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and Bank Holidays, 11 am to 5 pm (last admission 4 pm)
Limited disabled access

Gardens:
April - October: Daily, 10.30 am - 5 pm
November - March: Saturday & Sunday (& New Years Day)
10.30 am - 4 pm (last admission 1 hour before closing)

Syon Park Holdings Ltd. and the Lovaine Trust reserve the right to alter opening times.

Admission prices - 2010:

House & Gardens:
Adult - £9
Child - £4
Concession - £8
Family (2+2) - £20

Groups (Discount rates apply) - £8.50

Gardens & Great Conservatory:
Adult - £4.50
Concessions - £3.50
Child - £2.50
Family (2+2) - £10

More information on the garden can be found on The Gardens Guide.