Pictures of England

Search:

Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Pictures of Bridge End Gardens

a Garden or Park in the town of Saffron Walden, in the county of Essex

About Bridge End Gardens

These perfectly laid out gardens were started in the mid 18th century by Atkinson Francis Gibson. They are particularly noted for the famous yew hedge maze in the Italian-Renaissance style planted in 1840, and now restored.

In all there are seven interlinked gardens to explore, varied features of the richly planted landscape include a spectacular scented rose garden, a walled garden, Dutch garden, a wilderness woodland area, and tranquil Poets corner. In every part of the garden there is something fresh to draw the eye, be it a statue of the 18th century or the picturesque summerhouse of 1840 which borders the main lawn. The small, delightful pavilion dates from around the same period, and like many of the gardens focal points has been extensively restored back to its former glory.

Included in your tour of this lovely landscape is a visit to the Fry Art Gallery, a building erected in 1856 to house the extensive collection of art works gathered by Francis Gibson - the gallery is often referred to as "the gallery in the garden". It is now leased to The Fry Art Gallery Society and features the works of Essex artists from the 19th and 20th centuries, including those of George Lewis Fry (1860-1933) landscape painter and grandson of Francis Gibson. Two of his murals can be seen decorating the walls at either end of the summerhouse.

These attractive gardens are well worth a visit, not only will they charm and inspire but stand as a unique testimony as to how a landscape can be revived, yet still retain its vibrant colour and tranquillity intended.

Bridge End Gardens appeared in the BBC television series "Hidden Gardens" screened in 2004.

Share the beauty of England..

Recommended towns & villages near Bridge End Gardens

Audley End House

Saffron Walden (198 Pictures)

a Historic Market Town in the county of Essex

(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)

The outstanding feature of Saffron Walden is its rich variety of properties tangled around its web of ancient streets...

St Mary The Virgin, Wendens Ambo

Wendens Ambo (5 Pictures)

a Picturesque Village in the county of Essex

(2.1 miles, 3.4 km, direction SW)

This enchanting village with its unusual name lies at the western boundary of the county. Its quaint name comes from the joining of Great and Little Ambo in the 17th century...

On the way to The Windmill, Thaxted, Essex

Thaxted (45 Pictures)

in the county of Essex

(6.7 miles, 10.8 km, direction SE)

The village of Thaxted is stunningly beautiful with many reminders that it was once and perhaps always has been an extremely prosperous place...

The Park at Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

Bishop's Stortford (5 Pictures)

a Historic Market Town in the county of Hertfordshire

(11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction S)

There are many interesting places to visit including St.Michael's Church which is exceptionally spacious and has a spire that can been seen for miles around...

Brook Cottage, Kedington, Suffolk

Kedington (8 Pictures)

in the county of Suffolk

(11.4 miles, 18.4 km, direction NE)

The Stour Valley footpath leads into Kedington which has several eye catching focal points, including a pretty arched bridge spanning the river and a lovely 18th-century watermill...

All towns in Essex
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Recommended attractions near Bridge End Gardens

Castle

Saffron Walden Castle (10 Pictures)

(0.1 miles, 0.1 km)

Very little remains of Saffron Walden Castle, but what is here is well worth seeing for it is a fine example of a Norman.....

Saffron Walden Museum, Saffron Walden, Essex

Saffron Walden Museum (6 Pictures)

(0.1 miles, 0.1 km)

This is the second oldest purpose-built museum in the country. It occupies a gracious russet brick building in an enclosed.....

Audley End House, Saffron Walden, Essex

Audley End (133 Pictures)

(0.8 miles, 1.3 km)

Once, centuries ago in the days of Henry VIII a Benedictine Abbey stood here. A casualty of King's Dissolution caused by his.....

Imperial War Museum Duxford

Imperial War Museum Duxford (125 Pictures)

(6.7 miles, 10.8 km, direction NW)

Duxford retains its wartime atmosphere and, as many of its aeroplanes still fly, you might even see one take to the air during a.....

Hatfield forest country park, near Bishops Stortford, Essex. The forest is over 1000 years old.

Hatfield Forest Country Park (6 Pictures)

(10.9 miles, 17.6 km, direction S)

An ancient royal hunting ground, designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserve...


All attractions in Essex
Complete A to Z of attractions in England