Chiswick House & Gardens Trust (CHGT) is delighted to announce that its Rosary, dating back to the early 19th century and believed to be the very first ‘English rose garden’, is now a designated Silent Space, set aside for quiet contemplation in nature.
The Silent Space initiative, started in 2016, encourages the creation of beautiful, biodiverse areas where people can take time out from their hectic daily lives to seek peace, appreciate nature, and temporarily escape the hustle and bustle of the modern world.
The Chiswick House Silent Space is the very first of these spaces to be created in a public park, open to everyone every day of the year.
Inspired by French gardens which were created for scent, colour and pleasure, the Chiswick House Rosary is located in the Trust’s 65-acre west London gardens and dates back to the early 19th century, when it was created for Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. It is now home to over a hundred heritage roses, as well as striking wildflower areas.
The team at Chiswick House & Gardens Trust and the Silent Space Project are both keen to emphasise the mental health benefits that taking time out to seek peace in nature can bring. Research has shown that taking time to be purposefully quiet, listening to birdsong and rustling leaves instead of traffic, bleeping email notifications and chatter, can increase relaxation levels and improve the mood state of participants.
The benefits of the new space are enhanced by the fact that it is located near to one of the Gardens’ precious woodland areas, recently rejuvenated as part of a project to boost biodiversity and support the site’s wildlife.
The new Silent Space is also representative of CHGT’s ongoing commitment to serving the needs of its local community, ensuring that everyone living in its Hounslow and wider west London area has access to free green space, beautiful gardens and the opportunity to connect with nature.
Liz Ware, founder of the Silent Space project, said:
“Most of us realise that taking 5 minutes to reflect quietly in nature is restful and restorative. In a world where constant communication is the norm, it feels good to step back and press ‘pause’. But how many of us make the time to do it? A big ‘thank you’ to the hardworking Chiswick team for giving us permission and the opportunity to switch off in such a beautiful place. Welcome to Silent Space. It’s great to have you with us.”
Rosie Fyles, Head of Gardens at Chiswick House & Gardens Trust and a Trustee of the Silent Space Charity, said:
“Silence and reflection is what some people seek in a garden, and I am very happy that we have developed such a beautiful, historic space to have this atmosphere and purpose. Our planting and caring for the garden will continue to be inspired by its history and support biodiversity too.”
Chris Poole, a Specialist Volunteer at Chiswick House & Gardens Trust who has been integral to the creation of the Silent Space, said:
“Over the past 3 years we’ve worked to bring out the natural beauty in the shape of the shrubs surrounding the traditional Rosary and created a woodland area to sit in silence to connect with nature around you.”
