The Dairy at Syon Park

The Dairy at Syon Park is an ornamental dairy built after 1847 by Decimus Burton for the 6th Duke of Northumberland. It features a yellow brick exterior and a single-pitch slate roof, with a rectangular plan. The plain brick exterior includes a large opening on the south side, partially obscured by a later single-storey lean-to, and is topped with a wide gauged brick arch. The building is physically connected on the east side to the Grade I listed Conservatory.

Inside, there is an entrance from the east leading to the upper level, separated from the main chamber by a balustrade made of veined red marble. The angled walls flanking the entrance have a pair of arched niches with shelves. The main chamber boasts a floor of encaustic Wedgwood tiles, featuring anthemion and meander-patterned borders, with a central mask of Medusa set within a Neo-classical surround. A slate slab runs along the west wall at waist height, supported by serpentine cast iron legs in the Louis XV style, and continues on the east side beside the stairs. An additional arched niche is located in the center of the west wall. Four plaster reliefs, signed by J. Gott, depict Bacchic scenes of putti frolicking with goats, and a moulded cornice encircles the ceiling.

Historically, this ornamental dairy was constructed as a complement to the renowned Conservatory, while a more functional dairy using milk from Syon's extensive herds is located immediately to the north. Its eclectic decoration is typical of its time and contributes to a remarkable group of mid-19th century garden structures. In recent years, the dairy has served as an aquarium and a storage space. The plaster reliefs by Joseph Gott are believed to have been relocated from Stanwick Park in Yorkshire, another seat of the Percy family. The dairy was commissioned by Algernon Percy, the 6th Duke of Northumberland, who was born in 1792, succeeded in 1847, and died in 1865.