Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens

Castle Bromwich Gardens are an almost unique survival of an eighteenth-century garden, once part of the earls of Bradford’s estates. The gardens were developed by several generations of the Bridgeman family for a period of some 40 years from 1685 onwards. Remarkably, the layout survived the eighteenth-century movement towards more informal landscapes and the subsequent urban expansion of Birmingham itself. After the death of Lady Ida Bridgeman, Countess of Bradford, in 1936, the gardens fell into decay and it was not until the 1980s that a charitable trust was formed to restore them and open them to the public. The restoration continues. 

The present garden is thus the process of incremental growth, rather than the result of a single design from a particular date. The result is a variety of spaces and structures within the surrounding walls, each with a different horticultural theme. Restored structures include the Orangery and Music Room at either end of the main Holly Walk. Formal Dutch style parterres, a maze and orchard lie off the main axis.

We will be given a guided tour on arrival at 11.00. There is a café on site and free car parking.

The grounds are mainly lawn or gravel paths, some on a slope. Wheel chairs are available to use by prior arrangement.

Cost, including the guided tour, is £8.00 for members, £10.00 for non-members.

Directions

Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens is located on Chester Road, Castle Bromwich. SatNav B36 9BT. From Warwick/Leamington use the M42 or A4177 to join the M6 northbound. Leave the M6 at Junction 5 for the A452. At the Castle Bromwich Interchange, take the 2nd Exit onto the Newport Road and then left onto the B4118. The entrance to CBHG is on the left in Chester Road.

Image courtesy of Castle Bromwich Gardens