Situated
on the banks of the Thames about five miles from Hyde Park corner, Chiswick
village (anciently spelt Chesewicke) was the site of many market
gardens during the Regency period (see another
view of the village). While the greater part of Georgian Chiswick
was far from "being of an attractive character", the parish
did contain several notable mansions, the principal of which was Chiswick
House.
Close
by was Chiswick Grove, belonging to Mrs Luther, was one of the more
desirable residences, being situated on the Thames in a brick-walled
and highly sequested park of eighty acres.
Another
villa of note was that which belonged to Robert Stevenson in the early
nineteenth century. It had been built in 1685 by Sir Stephen Fox, and
when King William visited it, he exclaimed, "This place is perfectly
fine. I could live here five days." This statement was, apparently,
his usual expression when most pleased with a situation.
