With the weather unseasonably warm we decided that we needed to get out to enjoy the lovely sunshine. We took the train to Syon Lane. In years gone by, I used to regularly drive the kids to the place as it offered a Snakes and Ladders indoor adventure playground, the Butterfly House and a Tropical Zoo complete with crocodiles. Alas, the new hotel development means that the butterflies and animals are no more but we were keen to see what was on offer.
It’s about a 20 minute walk from the train station and across a main road and then along the side of the West Middlesex Hospital. Finally, we reached the gates of Syon Park which bear the impressive lion logo. History says that an earlier Duke of Northumberland, whose family still owns the estate, had the lions with their tails erect and rear ends facing Buckingham Palace as an insult to the royal family. A Lord with attitude.
Anyway, we walked along the wide grassy verge towards the centre. Here we met up with some friends who were strolling in the afternoon sunshine. There were plenty of other families – some with dogs – and also some solitary sunbathers, picnicking and playing ball too (in February!). Sadly, you cannot take dogs for a walk around Syon House and the stunning gardens with the magnificent conservatory – but you should do so on a dog free day as it is really lovely.
We continued our walk – with Alfie stopping on a regular basis to sniff the grass – and looked to the meadow on the other side of the road to see if we could spot any cows. We reached the huge garden centre which allows dogs in if they are kept on a lead. As well as all the plants and aquatic creatures there are a few craft like shops and a large café with outside and inside areas. The place was buzzing with families enjoying Sunday lunch. We made use of the loos here and wandered into the car park where there was an ice cream van.
At the far side of the car park is a trout fishing lake and we watched the fisherman cast a few times but no one appeared to have any luck while we were there. Then we sauntered over to the new Waldorf-Astoria Hotel with plants trailing down its walls and the many guest room balconies looking out over the greenery.
The staff here are amongst the most polite I have met. We settled into some of the white iron furniture on the huge outside patio and admired the view. The distant hum of traffic was almost lost as we listened to the birds singing and the gentle music from a piano playing Beethoven inside the hotel. It was really peaceful.
There were only one or two other guests sitting out in the sunshine sipping their drinks and we had this marvellous area all to ourselves – with a wooden loggia to explore as well as lots of wide open space.
We took the long walk back to the entrance – enjoying the views of the conservatory and house at a distance. On exiting we turned left and reached the Isleworth riverside. The “beach” was full of swans, ducks and geese and the tide was out so you could almost walk across to the ait (island). There were lots of people here – not surprising as it is the location of the fantastic The London Apprentice pub which is a huge pub with cavernous interiors on the ground and upper floors and extensive outside areas and all with stunning riverside views. Best of all the pub is dog friendly. Yayy!
We explored the walkways near the river and in the new toy-town like development before reaching Old Isleworth town and an assortment of more great traditional pubs before taking our bus home.
http://www.syonpark.co.uk/tour.asp
http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/clubs_bars/review-4800.php
