Old Warden Park, (also known as Shuttleworth Park), Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, England
Record Id: 2503
The following is from the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.
A mid- to late-19th century country house surrounded by an early 19th century landscape park, with a picturesque Swiss Garden constructed in the 1820s to 1830s.
DESCRIPTION
LOCATION, AREA, BOUNDARIES, LANDFORM, SETTING
Old Warden Park lies 10 kilometres south-east of Bedford, on the east edge of the village of Old Warden. The park, which occupies about 172 hectares, is bounded to the north and west by the Old Warden to Biggleswade road, to the south by the lane from Southill to Old Warden, and to the east by agricultural land. The estate lies on the Greensand Ridge, the house sited on largely level land, with a valley containing the water features to the north-west, and on higher ground to the south-west Warden Warren woodland. The setting includes the picturesque village of Old Warden, the buildings rebuilt in the early 19th century as a village orné, set amongst trees, with the cottages in varying styles set at different angles and heights, perched on grassy banks. Adjacent to the north lies Ickwell Bury park, and to the south, Southill Park. Old Warden Airfield is sited on adjacent land to the east, housing the Shuttleworth Collection of old aeroplanes.
REFERENCES
Journal of Horticulture and Home Farmer (1913)
Country Life, 161 (17 February 1977), pp 364-6
M Batey and D Lambert, The English Garden Tour (1990), pp 263-5
The Swiss Garden: A survey of the landscape, (Debois Landscape Survey Group 1992)
The Swiss Garden, guidebook, (Bedfordshire County Council 1996)
Maps
T Jefferys, The County of Bedford, 1765
Enclosure Map, Southill and Part of Warden Parishes, 1800 (Bedfordshire Record Office)
Road Order, Quarter Sessions Roll 18 no 6, 1802 (Bedfordshire Record Office)
Ordnance Survey Drawing (OSD), sheet 147, surveyed 1804-5
A Bryant, Map of the County of Bedford, 1826
Map of the Old Warden Estate for Sale, 1872 (Bedfordshire Record Office)
OS 6" to 1 mile: 1st edition published 1881
2nd edition published 1901
3rd edition published 1926
OS 25" to 1 mile: 1st edition published 1880
Description written: September 1997
Amended: April 1999
Edited: May 1999
Site designation(s)
English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England Grade II* Reference GD1445
Principal building:
House, now in commercial use Created 1875 to 1878 by Henry Clutton
Henry Clutton rebuilt the main house between 1875 and 1878.
Environment
Terrain: The house is sited on largely level land, with a valley containing the water features to the north-west. On higher ground to the south-west is Warden Warren woodland.
Underlying geology: Greensand Ridge.
Visitor facilities
Opening contact details:
The site is open every day from 9.30 am. Please see:
http://www.shuttleworth.org/opening_times.asp
Visitor information:
Visitor centre and restaurant. WCs with disabled facilities. Wheelchair access. Assistance dogs only. For special events see the website.
External web site link: http://www.shuttleworth.org
© Copyright Parks and Gardens Data Services Ltd. 2007