What do Netflix’s The Diplomat, historical BBC drama Miss Austen, Shondaland smash-hit Bridgerton and a Kylie Minogue music video all have in common? Admittedly, it’s quite the assortment but, unbeknownst to many who venture to this bucolic corner of London, they all utilised Syon Park and the grand house within it as a filming location. The current home of The Duke of Northumberland sits on a plot of land ten miles upstream from the chaos of the capital’s heart. Much of what we see today dates from the 15th century onwards, but there’s evidence of Neolithic and Bronze Age activity on the site, when hunter-gatherers may have utilised the potential of the River Thames. Since its prehistoric foundations, this land has witnessed several significant events, from the reported explosion of Henry VIII’s body (or coffin, due to the build-up of gases) during a rest along his funeral procession to Queen Anne’s tragic birth of a stillborn child. The interiors are nothing short of theatrical, with gilded ceilings, Palladian symmetry, and a dining room that rivals Versailles in drama, open for public exploration. The glass-domed Great Conservatory, a spectacular precursor to Kew’s Palm House, is surrounded by parkland spanning approximately 200 acres – grab a piping hot coffee from the café and set off on foot, whatever the weather.
Top tip: As with many London attractions, weekday mornings offer levels of peace and tranquillity royal figures would have once enjoyed at Syon House. Guided tours of the house are worth it for the stories alone and are available to book online. Follow an early visit (note, the property opens seasonally during the spring and summer months) with a hearty al-fresco lunch in nearby Richmond – our favourite hideouts include The White Cross and The White Swan.
Address: Syon Park, Brent Lea, Brentford TW8 8JF
Website: syonpark.co.uk
