Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens
18th-Century Formal Gardens and Local Nature Reserve Parkland (Grade II*)
Spanning 10 acres, these gardens are a rare and remarkable example of 350-year-old early 18th-century formal garden design. Originally part of the Earl of Bradford’s estate, the walled garden has been carefully restored and preserved by an independent Charitable Trust. Surrounding the formal gardens, an additional 30 acres of historic parkland—now designated as a Local Nature Reserve—offers a peaceful contrast to the structured beauty within the walls. Faithfully maintained with period-appropriate plants and heritage fruit varieties from 1680–1760, this space offers a glimpse into the Baroque countryside, nestled within the heart of the 21st-century city.
In the Beginning
The gardens at Castle Bromwich were originally designed in the formal garden tradition, heavily influenced by the Dutch style made popular by William III during the late 17th century. What makes these gardens truly special is their survival and evolution, even as the 19th-century English Landscape Movement led to the removal of most other formal gardens in the country. Additionally, they endured the rapid development and urban sprawl of Birmingham, which transformed Castle Bromwich into a suburb by the 20th century. By the time the Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens Trust was established in 1985, the gardens, though derelict, remained entirely walled with their fundamental structure still intact — a remarkable testament to their resilience.
Castle Bromwich is a unique treasure, celebrated for both its landscape and architectural significance. Located just five miles from Birmingham city center, it offers a rare glimpse into the past as a 17th-century Jacobean country house surrounded by its original garden setting. The current Castle Bromwich Hall was constructed around 1599 for Sir Edward Devereux. In 1657, the Hall and its estate were purchased by Sir John Bridgeman I, who implemented significant alterations to both the house and gardens around 1700. Bridgeman worked closely with his cousin and advisor, Captain William Winde, a renowned designer who had contributed to the enhancements of prominent estates such as Coombe Abbey, Eastwell, Cliveden, and Powis Castle.
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