Great Conservatory - Syon Park

London,

Within the 200 acres of parkland designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown from the 1750s to 1770s, there are 40 acres of gardens and an ornamental lake. These gardens are renowned for their extensive collection of 200 species of rare trees.

The crowning glory of Syon Park's gardens is the Great Conservatory. The 3rd Duke of Northumberland commissioned Charles Fowler to build a new conservatory in 1826, the first of its kind to be built out of gunmetal, Bath stone and glass. It was originally designed to act as a show house for the Duke's exotic plants and inspired Joseph Paxton in his designs for the Crystal Palace.