Chiswick House & Gardens Trust, together with Hounslow Council, welcome the addition of the Grade I listed Chiswick House & Gardens Conservatory, to Historic England’s Heritage At Risk Register.
The conservatory is a much-loved historic glasshouse dating back to 1813. It was added to the Register following an assessment of its condition, which highlights the fragility of the 1930s timber and glass structure and the need for major conservation work.
Owned by Hounslow Council and operated by Chiswick House & Gardens Trust, the conservatory has been a focal point for the one million visitors who enjoy the gardens every year and have done so for generations. While the building has undergone several restorations, its unique design and age mean that ongoing repairs can no longer keep pace with the effects of weathering and climate change.
The work necessary to fully restore the conservatory requires specialist conservation expertise and significant investment expected to be several millions of pounds. The new Heritage at Risk status enables the Council and the Trust to approach a wider range of funding sources and partners to help deliver a long-term solution for this unique structure.
Both organisations are working to protect the conservatory and have already taken steps to safeguard its historic character. Earlier this year, the Trust completed the sensitive conservation and repurposing of the original Victorian working areas behind the glass and timber front of the conservatory, turning them into artist studios. The Community and Creative Campus opened in May and is now used by 18 local artists.
The Heritage at Risk Register draws attention to historic places in need and helps bring partners together to explore opportunities for repair and renewal.
The conservatory is not an easy structure to maintain and its condition reflects issues inherent in the unique design and materials. We’re working closely with Hounslow Council and Chiswick House and Gardens Trust to find a way forward to secure the whole building’s future, building on the excellent work done to transform the Victorian working areas into artists’ studios.
Chris Laine, Landscape Architect at Historic England
We welcome the news that the conservatory has been added to Historic England’s Heritage At Risk Register. It’s remarkable, and testament to the dedication generations have shown to protect this precious building, that it’s still standing at almost 100 years old, having seen major repairs in the 1950s, 90s and in 2008. The Council has also funded annual repairs since 2020.
However, the full restoration needed to secure its future will cost millions of pounds. We hope that the conservatory’s new status on the At Risk Register will help us and Chiswick House and Gardens Trust secure the necessary grant funding to return to the conservatory to its former glory.
Councillor Salman Shaheen, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Public Spaces at Hounslow Council
Both organisations are working to protect the conservatory and have already taken steps to safeguard its historic character. Earlier this year, the Trust completed the sensitive conservation and repurposing of the original Victorian working areas behind the glass and timber front of the conservatory, turning them into artist studios. The Community and Creative Campus opened in May and is now used by 18 local artists.
Past news & updates
March 2025: What’s happening with the Chiswick House and Gardens Conservatory?
June 2025: Progress in conservation of the Chiswick House and Gardens’ Conservatory
December 2023: Saving our precious Conservatory for future generations to enjoy
April 2019: Chiswick House Conservatory: Then and Now
May 2016: 50 years since The Beatles filmed two groundbreaking music videos
The Camellias
Chiswick House & Gardens is home to a range of camellias of differing significance, the earliest thought to have been planted in 1828. The ongoing care of the camellias is undertaken with safety in mind, and the plants are healthy and thriving.
2023: Camellia Report
March 2021: 2021 Camellia Celebration – Camellia Care
February 2021: ‘Incarnata’… my favourite camellia by Ruth Todd
February 2021: Camellias at Chiswick House
February 2021: 2021 Camellia Celebration – A History of our Collection
