CHISWICK PARK (District Line - Ealing Broadway)

Two quite separate short visits, one for modernists the other for naturalists.

Chiswick Park Business Centre


Richard Rogers is the architect of the award-winning Chiswick Park business centre off Chiswick High Road, previously the site of the old Gunnersbury bus depot. It is well worth a visit.



The buildings are apparently very simple in design, but closer inspection shows that a great deal of thought has been given to the problems of working in glass dominated buildings. There is a clever arrangement of projecting louvres plus exterior yellow sun blinds. These are activated by light sensors.
Gardens surround these airy units and include a lake and waterfall. I was a bit bemused by the retro saucer planters filled with bright red geraniums and canna lilies which seemed at odds with the Japanese influence on the design of most of the garden area, but was generally most impressed.
To get to it cross over the bridge, go down Chiswick High Road (some pretty cottages here) then turn right into the main road – the business park is a few minutes away.

The Gunnersbury Triangle Nature Reserve
Now for a very different experience. Those odd triangles of land where railways intersect are excellent places for wildlife in an otherwise urban environment. Here one has been turned into a nature trail. The Gunnersbury Triangle Nature Reserve has been gently developed in a most imaginative way. Waymarks lead you round the undulating six acres where hidden in the woods you will find wetland, small meadows, rustic seats and little paths that lead nowhere in particular. At the end you will see the modern buildings of Chiswick Park and suddenly realise you are still in the middle of London. Well, actually, the occasional Tube train rumbling past on either side might have given you a clue, but somehow that adds charm to the whole endeavour. If you live close by you might even want to join their regular volunteer work parties. A wonderful place for accompanied children, who are made very welcome. Entrance through wooden gate oppositeTube.

*You might wonder why I have not made Chiswick House the destination for Chiswick Park Tube station, but it is only fair to point out that it is actually much nearer Chiswick railway station.
I have included it in the Stamford Brook entry as part of a longish trail.
MAP

This is just one walk from the many to be found at London Tube Rambles. There are architectural gems, beautiful country views, historic places and whacky buildings to be found, even in the most unpromising areas covered by the Greater London Underground stations. Usually the places listed are within a mile of the Tube - often only five minutes walk away. If you reached this as an individual page via a search engine, you might like to go to www.londontuberambles.co.uk to see the other destinations explored . You'll be amazed at what's out there!

© DR2006