Chiswick House and Gardens
Chiswick, London
The villa that launched British Palladianism, in free gardens where English Heritage explicitly welcome you to exercise your dog. One of the best walks in West London.
Chiswick House is one of the most important buildings in British architectural history and the gardens are free, which makes this an unusually good deal. The 3rd Earl of Burlington designed the villa himself after his Grand Tours of Italy, and the Roman-style Palladian result shaped country house design across Britain and America.
As you take in the villa and the restored vistas, statues and garden buildings, your dog gets what English Heritage explicitly invite: they welcome dog walkers to exercise their dogs freely in the gardens, so long as you observe the marked Dogs on Short Leads and No Dogs areas. That gives you 65 acres of lawn, lake, woodland and classical follies, with a proper circuit and plenty of shade. The gardens are also the birthplace of the English Landscape Movement.
Dogs are not allowed in the house, though assistance dogs are welcome across the site. There is a RIBA award winning café looking out over the gardens. The public car park is off the westbound A4, five minutes' walk away. Check the current signage on arrival, as the restricted zones do change.
At a Glance
- Dog Access
- On-lead in the grounds
- Dog walkers are welcome to enjoy the gardens and exercise their dogs freely, however should observe the 'Dogs on Short Leads' and 'No Dogs' areas at all times. Dogs are not allowed in the house, although assistance dogs are welcome across the site.
- Site Type
- House & Palace
- Entry
- Paid entry
- Members
- Free for English Heritage members
- Facilities
- Café / restaurant, Exhibition, Gardens, Museum, Parking, Shop, Toilets
- Telephone
- 020 3141 3352
- Parking
- The public car park is situated just off the westbound A4 (around 5 minutes' walk away from the house) and clearly marked by a brown tourist board entrance sign. It has space for 60 cars, including three spaces for Blue Badge holders, and is operated by Hounslow Council. Please note: Hounslow Council Car Parks will no longer operate using cash terminals, so all payments will be done via app. We recommend that you download the app ‘paybyphone’ before you arrive, using the location code 803065. Parking is also available on residential roads around the park and pedestrian access is via gates on Burlington Lane, Staveley Road and Park Road. The house and café are a 5-minute walk from the public car park along level gravel paths. Visitors with a Blue Badge who require closer parking may phone to reserve a parking place within the gardens, subject to availability. These spaces are limited so reservation is required. There is currently no coach parking on site - please park on Burlington Lane, 50 metres from the entrance.
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Planning Your Visit
Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chiswick House and Gardens dog friendly?
Yes — and genuinely so. English Heritage explicitly welcome dog walkers to exercise their dogs freely across the 65 acres of lawn, lake, woodland and classical follies. Dogs aren't permitted inside the house itself, though assistance dogs are welcome throughout the site.
Are dogs allowed at Chiswick House and Gardens year round?
The gardens are open to visitors year round and there's no indication that the dog-friendly access changes with the seasons. That said, it's always worth checking the English Heritage website before you travel in case of any temporary closures or events.
What should I know before visiting Chiswick House and Gardens with my dog?
The gardens have both Dogs on Short Leads and No Dogs zones, which are marked with signage on site — English Heritage do note that these restricted areas can change, so it's worth checking the signs when you arrive rather than assuming. The public car park is off the westbound A4, about five minutes' walk from the house, and payment is cashless via the PayByPhone app (location code 803065), so downloading that before you go will save some faff.
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