OSTERLEY PARK Piccadilly Line (Heathrow)

A wonderful place for a picnic




Osterley House is about fifteen minutes from the station. The original house dates back to the sixteenth century, but the present magnificent façade, with raised courtyard partially screened by columns, is a Robert Adam re-vamp completed in the 1770’s. Now owned by the National Trust. There is a charge to go into the house or gardens, but entry into the park itself is free. It has a generous picnic area (no dogs here) right in front of the house, as well as two lakes, woodland and some white Park Cattle with inch-long blonde eyelashes!







The park is big enough to be free from the noise of the M4 at the southern end near the house, though it is a bit intrusive as you walk north towards Osterley Lane. Please note that the Stable Tea Rooms only operate when the house and gardens are open (see National Trust website). The park (and toilets) are open every day.

To get to the house and park from the Underground station, ignore the signs for Osterley Park and take the right hand exit. Turn right and walk for a few minutes down the busy A4. Go right for a short while down Penwerris Avenue, then right again into Bassett Gardens and left into Cranmore Avenue. At the end of the avenue you will find Rose House, an old farmhouse with oddly shaped chimney on an outhouse. Pop round the corner to the left to see the conversion of one of its other outbuildings, No. 135 Jersey Road.

Now for Osterley Park itself. Cross over Jersey Road, walking right towards the long estate wall. If you have a buggy or similar, or there has been a lot of rain, continue to follow this wall along the pavement for about five minutes until you come to the main entrance where The Avenue has a good flat surface. Horses graze in the shady paddocks just off the roadway, so this area is popular with children From here much of the park is wheel-friendly. For those who like walking beside an open field there is a gap in the wall (a low cattle bar has to be negotiated) opposite Bassett Gardens.













Follow the right-hand track. Once at The Avenue turn left and keep going straight ahead towards a gate, just past the entrance to the car park. Go past this to reach a lake and your first view of the house and stables. (If you are lucky the estate carpenter will show you the splendid collection of craft tools housed here.) The grassy picnic area is on the right, while a large lake and venerable cedar trees are on the left. From here there are several ways to go – you can wander on paths cut through a meadow (or walk on a broad gravel drive) towards a second lake - or just enjoy the peace and quiet of the park near the house.

MAP

Note:Osterley Tube station is unusual in that there are no shops in the immediate vicinity. However, following the official signs (turning left from the station) will bring you to a parade of shops in Thornbury Road. This way will also get you to Osterley quicker than the above route, but misses out the little farmhouse and field walk.

© DR2008

Osterley 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!