The Shuttleworth Estate at Old Warden in Bedfordshire is best known today for its collection of vintage aeroplanes, but its history stretches back far earlier. In the Middle Ages, the area belonged to Warden Abbey on the other side of today’s village (its remnants are another Landmark). In the early eighteenth century, Sir Samuel Ongley, a wealthy London linen draper, bought what would become the Shuttleworth Estate and it was his descendant who, in the 1820s, created the famous Swiss Garden and began the model village of Old Warden. The Shuttleworths, rich industrialists, acquired the estate in 1872 and golden years of weekend shooting parties followed. Tragedy struck in 1940, when the sole heir Richard Shuttleworth died in a flying accident. His mother Dorothy set up an educational trust and their mansion became a college for land-based activities. We have two buildings on the estate: an early eighteenth-century folly, Queen Anne’s Summerhouse, and a nineteenth century gamekeeper’s cottage, built in the best model tradition.

This satisfyingly foursquare folly bears a date stone for 1878 and the clasped gauntlet of the Shuttleworth family – but this is misleading. Its exceptionally fine rubbed brickwork is far too good for the 1870s and its name gives the clue to its origins. In 1712, Queen Anne knighted the rich draper, Samuel Ongley, who owned the estate at Old Warden, an event that provides the most likely explanation for the building of the folly.

On the crest of the warren, it stood at the hub of radiating avenues of trees that Sir Samuel was planting on the estate, many still alive today. One of these avenues provided views of the mansion, and we are working with the estate to re-open most of them.

The summerhouse earned its date stone when it was renovated in 1878 by Joseph Shuttleworth, who added the pale terracotta balustrade. It then seems to have served as a pavilion and summerhouse through the estate’s golden years, but was left without purpose in reluctant dereliction after the Second World War.

Its restoration beyond the remit and means of the Shuttleworth Trust, we were happy to take on this piece of the rich jigsaw of the Shuttleworth Estate. Surrounded by the flora and fauna of beautiful woodland, this is a magical spot.

View our history sheet for this Landmark

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