Pictures of Bridge End Gardens

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

Bridge End Gardens, Saffron Walden, 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.

Add attraction to favourites

Submit a history of Bridge End Gardens

Recommended attractions near Bridge End Gardens

	Saffron Walden Castle (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..... Information \| Pictures (10) \| Hotels
	Saffron Walden Museum (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..... Information \| Pictures (6) \| Hotels
	Audley End (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..... Information \| Pictures (76) \| Hotels
	Imperial War Museum Duxford (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..... Information \| Pictures (95) \| Hotels
	Wandlebury Ring (9.5 miles, 15.2 km, direction N) .. Information \| Hotels

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

Recommended towns & villages near Bridge End Gardens

	Saffron Walden (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... Information \| Pictures (175) \| Hotels
	Wendens Ambo (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... Information \| Pictures (5) \| Hotels
	Hempstead (6.0 miles, 9.6 km, direction E) The village of Hempstead lies a short distance from the delightful town of Saffron Walden. It is the place where the highwayman, Dick Turpin is said to have been born the son of parents who kept the Bell Inn... Information \| Hotels
	Thaxted (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... Information \| Pictures (36) \| Hotels
	Finchingfield (9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction E) .. Information \| Pictures (45) \| Hotels

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

Nearby travel help

Audley End Station	(1.9 miles, 3.1 km, direction SW)
Great Chesterford Station	(3.1 miles, 5.0 km, direction NW)
M11 Junction 9	(3.5 miles, 5.6 km, direction NW)
M11 Junction 10	(6.7 miles, 10.8 km, direction NW)
London Stansted Airport	(9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction S)
Cambridge Airport	(12.8 miles, 20.5 km, direction N)
Bridge End Gardens to London	(39.0 miles, 62.8 km, direction S)

Hotels near Bridge End Gardens

	Duxford Lodge Hotel Ickleton Road, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, England (5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction NW) Luxurious comfortable bedrooms and a restaurant with an eye for detail, overlooking landscaped gardens. Set in pretty village of Duxford, in own grounds and close to J10 M11, Cambridge, Newmarket, A14... More info and book online.. Price from £78.00
	The Cricketers Arms Rickling Green And Quendon, Saffron Walden, Essex, England (5.8 miles, 9.3 km, direction S) The Cricketers' Arms is an 18th Century inn restored to modern standards without losing any of its period charm. The inn overlooks the famous old cricket pitch at Rickling Green, a classically calm an... More info and book online.. Price from £55.00
	Thaxted Hall Walden Road, Thaxted, Nr. Stansted, Essex, England (6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction SE) Thaxted Hall, for non-smokers, is located in stunningly picturesque Thaxted, ideal for Cambridge and East Anglia. A family run hotel for business and leisure travellers. Why take a luggage laden 10 ... More info and book online.. Price from £59.00
	The Swan Hotel The Bull Ring, Thaxted, Essex, England (6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction SE) Our hotel is a traditional old English coaching inn with real ales and fantastic home-cooked food. Be a part of our strong local trade, and enjoy the music and traditional dancing performed by the Mor... More info and book online.. Price from £45.00
	The Old Red Lion Linton Road, Horseheath, Cambridgeshire, England (6.9 miles, 11.2 km, direction NE) Old Red Lion Hotel dates back to it's 18th Century days and was originally an old farm house. The lodges offer comfortable accommodation in a charming setting. There are 12 comfortably furnished, ... More info and book online.. Price from £60.00