Work at Robert Adam's Syon House began in 1762, just one year after
Osterley Park, which is just 2 miles away. The house was built over the foundations of an immense and completely destroyed abbey. In recent years archeologists have discovered additional foundations, suggesting the abbey was similar in scale to Westminster Abbey and would have been one of the largest in Great Britain.
Adam's design for Hugh Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland, was a square plan, built around a courtyard. An immense enclosed rotunda was originally planned for the courtyard space. But this was eliminated to save cost. What remains is still one of the most extraordinary suites of rooms to be found in any country house in England.
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| The original entrance gate, no longer in use. |
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| The Entry Hall |
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| The Ante-chamber between the Entry Hall and Dining Room |
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| Details of the Dining Room |
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| The Red Drawing Room - it serves as an ante-chamber between the Dining Room and the Long Gallery |
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| The Long Gallery |
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| The pale blue at the top center shows the original color. Time and pollution have dimmed the finishes. The owners are now raising funds for a complete cleaning of the Long Gallery. |
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| The Stair Hall ceiling |
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| The Duke's study |
To see Robert Adam's other London country houses visit my blog post for
Osterley Park and
Kenwood House.
Also check out my post for the magnificent Great Conservatory by Charles Fowler. It occupies pride of place in the gardens of Syon House and inspired Joseph Paxton when he designed the Crystal Palace.
Adam's design for Hugh Percy, 1st Duke of Northumberland, was a square plan, built around a courtyard. An immense enclosed rotunda was originally planned for the courtyard space. But this was eliminated to save cost. What remains is still one of the most extraordinary suites of rooms to be found in any country house in England.
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