The Upper Lodge Water Gardens comprise of a Baroque-style collection of pools, cascades, basins and a canal. The gardens disappeared beneath undergrowth and silt through the 20th century and their existence was largely forgotten.
The restoration of the Upper Lodge Water Gardens was the centrepiece of a programme of improvements to Bushy Park. The restorations were funded by The Royal Parks, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Crown Estate, The Royal Parks Foundation, and other supporters.
The Water Gardens are open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to dusk.
They are also open on Bank Holiday Mondays, but then closed on the following day. They are open on Christmas Day.
Built by the 1st Earl of Halifax as a private recreational garden in 1710, the Water Gardens went on to play a unique role in 20th century events, firstly as a hospital for Canadian troops during WW1, then as swimming pools as part of an open air school for East End Boys with respiratory diseases.
The site was used as US barracks during WW2, before being taken over by the Ministry of Defence, playing a significant role in the development of Cold War defence technology. The site then fell into disrepair and remained closed.
Restoration plans got underway in the 1990s, with research undertaken by the Friends of Bushy and Home Parks, and the discovery by Sir Roy Strong of an 18th century painting of the gardens. The Royal Parks built on this early work and secured funding and management responsibility for the site in 2006, allowing restoration work to begin.
The restoration included de-silting and returning the ponds to their original shape and depth, and overhauling the water engineering system to restore the direct connection to the Longford River. The badly-damaged southern flank cascade wall was carefully reconstructed, reincorporating original stonework and bricks into the new structure, and the cascade and northern flank wall were also restored.
Archaeological investigations pinpointed the location of the original stoop basins and alcoves which flank the cascade and these were reconstructed. Formal landscaping and the installation of footpaths have completed the reclamation of the gardens.
Bushy Park Water Gardens Restoration Video produced by the Friends of Bushy and Home Parks
The Upper Lodge Water Gardens comprise of a Baroque-style collection of pools, cascades, basins and a canal. The gardens disappeared beneath undergrowth and silt through the 20th century and their existence was largely forgotten.
The restoration of the Upper Lodge Water Gardens was the centrepiece of a programme of improvements to Bushy Park. The restorations were funded by The Royal Parks, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Crown Estate, The Royal Parks Foundation, and other supporters.
The Water Gardens are open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to dusk.
They are also open on Bank Holiday Mondays, but then closed on the following day. They are open on Christmas Day.
Built by the 1st Earl of Halifax as a private recreational garden in 1710, the Water Gardens went on to play a unique role in 20th century events, firstly as a hospital for Canadian troops during WW1, then as swimming pools as part of an open air school for East End Boys with respiratory diseases.
The site was used as US barracks during WW2, before being taken over by the Ministry of Defence, playing a significant role in the development of Cold War defence technology. The site then fell into disrepair and remained closed.
Restoration plans got underway in the 1990s, with research undertaken by the Friends of Bushy and Home Parks, and the discovery by Sir Roy Strong of an 18th century painting of the gardens. The Royal Parks built on this early work and secured funding and management responsibility for the site in 2006, allowing restoration work to begin.
The restoration included de-silting and returning the ponds to their original shape and depth, and overhauling the water engineering system to restore the direct connection to the Longford River. The badly-damaged southern flank cascade wall was carefully reconstructed, reincorporating original stonework and bricks into the new structure, and the cascade and northern flank wall were also restored.
Archaeological investigations pinpointed the location of the original stoop basins and alcoves which flank the cascade and these were reconstructed. Formal landscaping and the installation of footpaths have completed the reclamation of the gardens.
Bushy Park Water Gardens Restoration Video produced by the Friends of Bushy and Home Parks
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Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park, a ground breaking new concert series and outdoor experience from 5 July - 14 July 2013.
More things to do...A permanent memorial to honour the victims of the 7 July 2005 London Bombings was unveiled in Hyde Park by Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.
More things to do...This unique Memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales was opened by Her Majesty The Queen on 6th July 2004 and was built with the best materials, talent and technology.
More things to do...Royal Gun Salutes mark special royal occasions. On these days salutes are fired from locations in London including Hyde Park and Green Park.
More things to do...Daily public swimming in The Serpentine from June - September. Serpentine Swimming Club swims every day, including the famous race on Christmas day.
More things to do...Rowing and pedal boats are available to hire on the Serpentine in Hyde Park. You can also take a ride on the UK's first Solarshuttle, powered only by the sun.
More things to do...The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk is a seven-mile-long walk, charted by 90 plaques set in the ground, that takes you within sight of famous buildings and locations associated with the Princess during her life.
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The Upper Lodge Water Gardens comprise of a Baroque-style collection of pools, cascades, basins and a canal. The gardens disappeared beneath undergrowth and silt through the 20th century and their existence was largely forgotten.
The restoration of the Upper Lodge Water Gardens was the centrepiece of a programme of improvements to Bushy Park. The restorations were funded by The Royal Parks, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Crown Estate, The Royal Parks Foundation, and other supporters.
The Water Gardens are open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to dusk.
They are also open on Bank Holiday Mondays, but then closed on the following day. They are open on Christmas Day.
Built by the 1st Earl of Halifax as a private recreational garden in 1710, the Water Gardens went on to play a unique role in 20th century events, firstly as a hospital for Canadian troops during WW1, then as swimming pools as part of an open air school for East End Boys with respiratory diseases.
The site was used as US barracks during WW2, before being taken over by the Ministry of Defence, playing a significant role in the development of Cold War defence technology. The site then fell into disrepair and remained closed.
Restoration plans got underway in the 1990s, with research undertaken by the Friends of Bushy and Home Parks, and the discovery by Sir Roy Strong of an 18th century painting of the gardens. The Royal Parks built on this early work and secured funding and management responsibility for the site in 2006, allowing restoration work to begin.
The restoration included de-silting and returning the ponds to their original shape and depth, and overhauling the water engineering system to restore the direct connection to the Longford River. The badly-damaged southern flank cascade wall was carefully reconstructed, reincorporating original stonework and bricks into the new structure, and the cascade and northern flank wall were also restored.
Archaeological investigations pinpointed the location of the original stoop basins and alcoves which flank the cascade and these were reconstructed. Formal landscaping and the installation of footpaths have completed the reclamation of the gardens.
Bushy Park Water Gardens Restoration Video produced by the Friends of Bushy and Home Parks
