A Little Bit Of Switzerland

Having looked at the Tiger Moth aeroplanes at Old Warden it would be logical and sensible to show you the Shuttleworth Collection of historic planes and other vehicles which are housed in the hangars. But I'm going to do no such thing. Instead we'll have a quick look at something that lurks behind the hangars.

In the 1820s the 3rd Baron Ongley, who owned the Old Warden estate, decided to have a garden in the fashionable "Swiss" style. This was the age of the Grand Tours of Europe which were undertaken by the wealthy, who came back with all sorts of new ideas for transforming their homes and gardens.

It's not known whether the young Lord Ongley ever went on such a tour. In fact, it's tempting to suggest that he didn't, as some parts of this Swiss Garden look more Chinese.... or Greek.... or Indian! But that didn't really matter at the time, it was more a work of fantasy than strict factual accuracy.

Above, for example, is Ongley's idea of a Swiss Cottage, sitting on top of its Alpine height - a small man-made hillock. It was used as a summer-house where the family could have tea, there being a cleverly constructed room beneath the main room where servants could prepare the picnic. When you get up close you find it has this door....

What do you call that? Swiss canton or Cantonese? Well, Ongley didn't care and neither, I suppose, do the many couples who get married in these picturesque surroundings each year.

One of my favourite features is the subterranean passage that leads to the fernery. It's not a real underground cavern but a cunningly constructed grotto making use of the artificial rock known as Pulhamite, invented by one James Pulham and said to have been realistic enough to have fooled some geologists!

In time it is hoped that the fernery will contain a nationally important collection; it already looks impressive to my eye.

Out in the garden I made the acquaintance of this regal figure who, even if he is not the sole owner of this wonderland, clearly considers himself to be a cut above the Canada Geese and Coots who inhabit some of the ponds.

There's a slightly Chinese flavour to the little bridge over the stream...

….and, above, all pretence is abandoned with what is known as the Indian Kiosk. Although the garden has had a few tweaks and adjustments since its conception it's still considered to be the most complete example of a Regency-style garden and six of the buildings within it are listed for preservation.

There's also a Woodland Walk which leads down to the shores of the boating lake. Along the way some wooden sculptures have been added recently which fit in well with the scheme of the older garden.

(I haven't forgotten the Shuttleworth Collection; we'll get back to the old aeroplanes in the next post).


Take care.