Syon Park Conservatory, by Alan Stein
Eight miles west of London, Syon Park is one of the last private "country" residences in London.
Owned by the hereditary Dukes of Northumberland, it has been in the family's possession since it was acquired in 1594 by the 9th Earl of Northumberland and is now the family's London residence. Luckily for the public, the grounds, the house, and the majestic metal, stone and glass conservatory can all be toured by appointment and are available for rent.
The Great Conservatory was commissioned in 1826 by Hugh Percy, 3rd Duke of Northumberland. Charles Fowler was chosen to design the conservatory, which was the first of its kind to use gunmetal, Bath stone and glass in its construction.
The structure was incredibly ambitious with a total frontage of 230 feet and its glass dome an incredible 38 feet in diameter.
The Great Conservatory was completed in 1830 and originally served to house the Duke of Northumberland's rare tropical plant collection. Though the purpose of the Conservatory has changed, it is still a working conservatory, housing an impressive display of exotic trees and flowers.
Syon was even briefly the home of Lady Jane Grey, the tragic nine-day Queen.
Several films, TV specials and music videos have featured the grounds including when the conservatory stood in for Heaven in the Dudley Moore version of Bedazzled in 1967.
