Bridge End Gardens, Saffron Walden, England

Site is open to the public. Opening may be limited, please check Visitor Information for any restrictions.

Brief description of site

This is a Victorian garden (1837-1902) covering an area of 2.7 hectares (6.6 acres) with varied features originally laid out in 1794. The gardens were opened to the public in the late-19th century and taken over by the council in 1918.

Brief history of site

When Atkinson Francis Gibson married Elizabeth Wyatt in 1789 she brought as part of her dowry, the Bridge End homestall and surrounding fields on the edge of Saffron Walden. Although they lived in the town, they only had a small garden, and so they began to lay out a garden at Bridge End. From 1838 their son Francis designed and laid out a new garden there in collaboration with William Chater, a local nurseryman and garden designer. An agent was employed to manage the gardens and from 1867 onwards. By 1902 the gardens were open to the public, and in 1918 the site was leased to the Borough Council who took over responsibility for its management.

Location information:

OS Landranger Map Sheet Number:	154	Grid Ref:	TL536388
Latitude:	52.02635	Longitude:	0.2373935

Key information:

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