The Swiss Gardens at Old Warden are one of the most romantic garden settings, within the boundaries of Bedfordshire. The garden is an ideal place to take photos for special occasions, such as weddings and anniversaries. Alternatively take a visit to the Swiss Gardens, simply to unwind and relax. The Swiss Gardens at Old Warden are just a stones throw away from the A1 which connects the village to Bedford in the North and London in the South.
The Swiss Garden is a nine acre romantic style garden within the Old Warden Park. The original garden was created by the third Lord Ongley and built between 1820 and 1835. The garden takes its inspiration from the Romantic Swiss Picturesque style of the regency period.
The park was purchased by Joseph Shuttleworth in 1872 and a series of improvements were added to the park. Most notable inclusions are those of the well loved cast iron work dotted around the gardens.
In 1976, Bedfordshire county council took out a lease on the garden and began a process of restoring the Swiss Gardens to Lord Ongley’s original design. Today, the Swiss Garden is a well manicured example of a garden built in the Romantic Swiss Picturesque style. Key features include, the Swiss Cottage, the Chapel, the Grotto and Fernery, as well as the park’s many sculptures and bridges.
The following is a short list of items which contribute towards the overall effect of the Swiss Gardens at Old Warden.
The Swiss Cottage – The Swiss Cottage occupies the highest point in the garden and as such is the focal point of the experience. The cottage is a two story affair with white painted timbers and a thatched roof. The cottage is best seen in Spring when the mound is covered in Daffodils.
The Grotto and Fernery – This area provides a spot of shade from the full sun of summer. Entering through a cave like entrance gives a sense of adventure, before entering a glass covered room filled with a variety of ferns and other shade lovers.
Iron Work Bridges – If taking photos is one’s forte then there are few better opportunities offered than those of the cast iron bridges in the Swiss Gardens. White cast iron construction and reflections from the still waters of the ponds give the Swiss Gardens its true status as a romantic garden.
Planting – Of course, no garden is complete without its planting. The Swiss Garden has a variety of well planted themes, which maintain year round interest. From evergreen specimen trees such as the Chilean Pines (Monkey Puzzle) and Lebanese Cedar, through to the hard landscaped rockeries. If flowers are more the order of the day, then key times to visit include early Spring when the park is packed with bulbs and mid-summer when the gardens roses are at their best.
Read More Gardening:
Sources:
Anon. 2009. The Swiss Garden. The Shuttleworth Trust.
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