Project

Restoring Bridgeman's landscape at Lodge Park

A view across the deer course from the balcony at Lodge Park, Gloucestershire — Deer course from the balcony at Lodge Park | © National Trust Images / Nick Meers

The landscape at Lodge Park was designed by Charles Bridgeman in the 1720s and 1730s, commissioned by Sir John Dutton. Unfortunately, it was never completed. Now, almost 300 years later, work has begun to restore the design.

Who was Charles Bridgeman?

Charles Bridgeman was an important gardener in the 18th century. He was appointed Royal Gardener to George II and worked on Royal residences.

He worked on Hampton Court and Kensington palaces, as well as on the landscapes of private houses such as Stowe, and public areas including Hyde Park.

Bridgeman's influence on gardening

Bridgeman had a critical and influential role in the transition from formal, geometric layouts of gardens to the freer, more ‘natural’ style gardens designs.

It's unknown how many of Bridgeman’s landscapes remain, but we do know that many have been changed. It showed the status of Lodge Park's owner Sir John Dutton that he employed a gardener of such importance.

Two staff members walking in a field as part of a tree planting project Lodge Park, Gloucestershire — Tree planting on tennant farmland at Lodge Park | © National Trust Images / James Dobson

Researching Lodge Park's past

The Conservation Management Plan at Lodge Park used a variety of techniques to find out how far the landscape was planted. Tree surveys were conducted to look at how many, and which, trees are contemporary with the design.

A LIDAR survey, taken from a plane using lasers, showed tree pits in places where trees no longer survive, but which existed on earlier plans.

Results of the survey

From the survey it's known that a lot of the tree planting that Bridgeman planned was implemented, and quite a few areas remain today.

It's also known that the serpentine canal he planned was never realised, but that it may have influenced the development of The Serpentine in Hyde Park, also by Bridgeman, five years later.

Two people plant posts as part of tree planting on tennant farmland at Lodge Park, Gloucestershire — Tree planting at Lodge Park | © National Trust Images / James Dobson

How we're restoring Lodge Park

The first 102 trees were planted in January 2021 and include both lime and elm trees. Historically 14,000 elms were planted in the landscape, but none have survived due to diseases such as Dutch elm disease.

The elms that have now been planted are disease-resistant Ulmus 'New Horizon' elms.

Volunteer work

The trees have been planted by the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens, as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations, as well as National Trust staff and volunteers.