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a Picturesque Village in the county of Bedfordshire

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About Old Warden

Old Warden is a sleepy Bedfordshire village with pretty honey-coloured thatched cottages and a wealth of other interesting buildings. The village is situated on the Shuttleworth Estate, where Old Warden Park, a superb historic mansion, formerly the home of the Shuttleworth family, acts as a grandiose centre piece. The house, surrounded by 500 acres of parkland is now an elegant country hotel.

The village offers plenty to do. It has the most delightful mixture of properties, some are highly decorative after the style of a "picture postcard" Swiss chalet, whilst others have attractive gables or thatch.

High summer is an important time in the village, many events take place and the estate offers falconry displays, Swiss gardens, classic car shows, craft fairs and an air show, held on the old Warden airfield. The airfield is part of the Shuttleworth Trust, and here you will find a living museum with glorious aviation relics from the earliest days of flying, right through the golden age of flight, war time aviation, and later aircraft. The museum is a tribute to Pioneer pilots and everything to do with the birth of aviation, it has wonderful machines and exhibits that make you marvel and wonder as to how the fragile early aeroplanes flew, and at the daring, skill and courage of men and women who flew them.

The church of St. Leonard is late 12th century, with an older tower of brown cobbles. It has an interesting interior showing fine woodwork. Some of the interior was restored and renewed by the generosity of Lord Ongley in 1841. The church has a large font from the 14th century and stained glass from Warden Abbey. Of the several fine monuments to see the most interesting is to Sir Samuel Ongley, dated 1726 and signed by Scheemakers, and Delvaux.

One mile west-south-west of the village on the site of Warden Abbey, originally founded by Walter Epec in 1135, there now stands a flourishing vineyard, the home of award winning Warden Wines. The vineyard was started in 1986 by Jane Whitbread on the site of an earlier vineyard worked by medieval monks. The abbey was once famous for Warden pears, a variety of fruit mentioned by William Shakespeare.

North of the church are the earthwork's of Quint's Hill, probably dating from the early Iron Age.

The village has the usual village amenities including the Hare and Hounds, a picturesque, traditional country pub at the heart of the Shuttleworth estate.

Set within easy driving distance to Bedford, Old Warden makes the perfect destination for a pleasant day out or to use as a base for exploring one of England's most interesting counties.

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Hotels & Accommodation in Old Warden

	The Carriage House 16 Hitchin Road,, Meppershall, Bedfordshire, Bedfordshire, England (3.8 miles, 6.2 km, direction S) A privately owned hotel of individual style set the countryside, where our guests are treated with a warm welcome upon arrival. Offering a unique combination of exceptionally resoanable rooms rates, w... More info and book online.. Price from £58.00
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	The Barns Hotel (Form. Corus Hotel Bedford) Cardington Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, England (4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction NW) The Barns Hotel is situated in a beautiful riverside location, within 3.5 acres of landscaped gardens, yet just 10 miles from the M1 and 8 miles from A1. The tranquil setting offers views of the g... More info and book online.. Price from £57.00
	Express By Holiday Inn Bedford Elstow Interchange A6/A421 Bedford Bypass Junction, Bedford, Bedfordshire, England (5.5 miles, 8.9 km, direction W) This is a contemporary and modern hotel, offering stylish and affordable accommodation, located just south of Bedford, a short drive from the A1 and M1 motorways.... More info and book online.. Price from £54.00
	Tudor Oaks Lodge Taylors Road, Astwick, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England (6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction SE) Tudor Oaks Lodge, on the A1, one mile past junction 10 northbound, is a complex of buildings with characteristic beams. All rooms have LCD TV. Luxe rooms have four-poster beds and jacuzzi baths, ... More info and book online.. Price from £52.00

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Nearby travel help

Biggleswade Station	(3.5 miles, 5.6 km, direction E)
Sandy Station	(4.1 miles, 6.7 km, direction NE)
A1(M) Junction 10	(7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction SE)
A1(M) Junction 9 (Letchworth Gate)	(9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction SE)
London Luton Airport	(14.1 miles, 22.7 km, direction S)
Cambridge Airport	(23.6 miles, 38.0 km, direction NE)
Old Warden to London	(40.4 miles, 65.1 km, direction S)