Gunnersbury House & Park

London: Gunnersbury House & Park

Once Home to Royalty & the Rothschilds - Gunnersbury House & Museum, London

Gunnersbury House, Hounslow, London, UK. — Gunnersbury Park Museum, in Gunnersbury, west London

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

The Temple, Gunnersbury Park, in west London, UK. — The Temple was built for Princess Amelia, daughter of George II; she used it as a place of entertainment

Gunnersbury House is a Georgian mansion and museum located in the west London boroughs of Hounslow and Ealing.

Today, Gunnersbury Park and House is owned and managed by Ealing and Hounslow borough councils, and is open to the public.

The magnificent ceiling in the museum. — The magnificent ceiling in the Rothschild Rooms in the Gunnersbury Park Museum; the painting (1837) is by Edmund Thomas Parris 1837 inspired by the Four Seasons, with playful cherubs

History

The name Gunnersbury originated in Saxon times. The first estate here once belonged to the Bishop of London before passing on to a succession of owners.

The house on the estate dates back to Sir John Maynard, a lawyer and politician during the period of Cromwell. He built the first house in Palladian style in the mid-1660s.

In the 18th century the house and estate belonged to Princess Amelia, the favourite daughter of King George II.

She made substantial alterations to the house and gardens, creating a more elegant and fashionable residence. Princess Amelia's improvements included the addition of formal gardens, an orangery, and The Temple.

In the 19th century, the estate changed ownership several times. In 1801, the Rothschild banking family purchased Gunnersbury House and made significant renovations to the property. They expanded the mansion, adding a large dining room, a drawing-room, and other enhancements. The Rothschilds sold the estate in 1889 to the local authority, the District Council of Acton.

In 1929, the local councils of Acton and Ealing jointly took over the management of the estate.

During World War II, the house suffered damage from German bombing raids. However, it was repaired and continued to serve public purposes.

A fireplace and mirror in the museum. — A fireplace and mirror in the Rothschild rooms

House

The buildings that make up Gunnersbury House are the Large Mansion and the Small Mansion.

The Large Mansion is stucco over brick and has three floors and now houses the Gunnersbury Park Museum. The property was remodeled in 1836 by Sydney Smirke for Nathan Rothschild.

The Small Mansion has 2 floors with a cornice and roof parapet.

Wall panels explain local people and history. — Wall panels explain local people and history including Eric and Jessica Huntley (bottom left)

Museum

Gunnersbury Park Museum opened in 1929. The museum is divided into several galleries with a strong emphasis on the history of the local area.

On entry is the Skylight Gallery with exhibits such as the historic Stanhope Printing Press from 1804, as well as a neon Lucozade sign that once overlooked the M4.

People and Place presents the history of Ealing and Hounslow with archaeological items, maps, and features on the area's famous residents. They include such famous men and women as race equality campaigners Eric and Jessica Huntley, pop star Freddie Mercury, the chemist William Perkin and Pocahontas.

The Rothschild Rooms are a series of three rooms - The Drawing Room, Long Gallery and Dining Room - restored to their former glory. They have superb views of the estate.

The Victorian kitchen at the house consists of a number of rooms - the the butchery, the chef's office, pastry room and scullery. Entertainment was on a large scale during the time of the Rothschilds. King Edward VII was a frequent guest.

Also on the ground floor is a collection of toys and games including dolls model sailing boats Barbie dolls and C-3PO from the movie Star Wars.

Exhibits on local sports clubs. — Exhibits on local sports clubs in the Leisure Gallery

The Leisure Gallery on the first floor has exhibits on the local entertainment industry including nearby Ealing Studios and local football team Brentford FC.

On the second floor the Fashion Gallery exhibits some historic items of clothing including original dresses from the mid-18th century along with bags, fans, parasols and shoes.

The kitchen at Gunnersbury House. — The Victorian kitchen at Gunnersbury House

Gunnersbury House, London, UK. — View of the exterior of the Large Mansion of Gunnersbury House, West London

The Grounds

Gunnersbury Park covers an area of approximately 75 hectares (186 acres). Its landscape features a mix of open fields, woodlands, lakes, and gardens. The park provides ample space for various activities such as picnicking, walking, jogging, and cycling.

Gunnersbury Park is also home to sports facilities, including tennis courts, football pitches, and a bowling green.

Further Information & Access - how to get to Gunnersbury House

Gunnersbury Park House
Popes Lane
London
W5 4NH
Tel: 020 3961 0280
www: visitgunnersbury.org

The park is open from 7 am to dusk; the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday 10 am - 4.30 pm.

The nearest tube stations are Acton Town on the Piccadilly Line and District Line and Gunnersbury on the District Line.

Gunnersbury Station is also on the Overground between Stratford and Richmond.

The bus E3 stops on the northern side of the park and runs from Clifton Road via Hanwell Station to Gunnersbury Park, Acton Town Station and Turnham Green Station. The 110, the 237, the 267, the 440, and H91 (Hounslow West Station to Hammersmith tube station) all stop close to Gunnersbury Station.

West London has several stately homes and historic houses including Osterley House, Syon Park House, Boston Manor House, Hogarth's House and Chiswick House.