Mr Charles Bridgeman

Charles Bridgeman (1690–1738) was a pioneering English landscape designer and garden architect of the early 18th century. Renowned for his role in transitioning English garden design from formal, geometric styles to the more naturalistic landscapes that prefigured the later English Landscape Movement, Bridgeman was a key figure in shaping the modern British garden aesthetic. His career spanned the reigns of Queen Anne, George I, and George II, and his works continue to influence garden design today.

Early Life and Background

Little is known about Bridgeman's early life. He was born around 1690, likely in East Anglia, though the exact location remains unclear. His father, a gardener in Norfolk, may have influenced his early interest in horticulture. Bridgeman first appeared in historical records as an apprentice under the Royal Gardener George London, one of the most respected horticulturists of his time. London's company, run with Henry Wise, specialized in the formal, symmetrical gardens inspired by the French Baroque style of André Le Nôtre, whose work at Versailles was particularly influential.

Career and Design Philosophy

Bridgeman’s early career was shaped by these formal influences, but his work soon evolved into a distinct style, incorporating more naturalistic elements while retaining some formality. This combination of the formal and the natural defined his approach and set him apart from his contemporaries.

His most significant contributions lie in his pioneering of transitional garden design, combining the structured elements of the formal style with new ideas of a more organic landscape. While still using avenues, terraces, and formal parterres, Bridgeman introduced features like wildernesses (wooded areas), natural lawns, and serpentine walks that created a more flowing and natural experience. He also incorporated ha-has (hidden sunken walls) to divide the garden from the surrounding landscape without disrupting the view, a hallmark of later English landscape gardens.

Bridgeman’s designs represented a shift towards a landscape that felt more in harmony with nature, a departure from the rigid geometric designs of earlier periods. This blending of formal and naturalistic elements can be seen as a precursor to the later works of Capability Brown, who became famous for his expansive, naturalistic landscapes.

Major Projects

Bridgeman worked on numerous prestigious estates across England, including:

• Stowe (c. 1713–1738): One of his most famous commissions, Bridgeman worked at Stowe in Buckinghamshire for Richard Temple, 1st Viscount Cobham. Initially, Bridgeman’s designs were formal, but over time they became increasingly naturalistic. He introduced elements such as large open lawns, groves, and a series of paths and vistas that guided the viewer’s experience of the landscape. Though much of his work at Stowe was later modified by his successors, including William Kent and Capability Brown, the structure of the garden retained many of Bridgeman's original ideas.
• Kensington Gardens (1728–1738): Bridgeman was appointed Royal Gardener by Queen Caroline, the wife of George II, in 1726. His redesign of Kensington Gardens in London combined formal avenues with more informal areas, like winding paths, open spaces, and naturalistic features. His work at Kensington Gardens set the stage for the more famous later developments by William Kent and others.
• Claremont (1715): Another significant project was Claremont in Surrey, where Bridgeman designed a series of terraces and informal woodlands surrounding a large turf amphitheater. This work combined formal and natural elements in a unique way, blending a strong geometric framework with a more relaxed landscape.
• Richmond Gardens: Bridgeman was also involved in the design of the royal gardens at Richmond Lodge, where he again utilized informal design elements such as wooded areas and long vistas, emphasizing the natural beauty of the landscape.

Influence and Legacy

Charles Bridgeman is often regarded as a transitional figure between the formal Baroque garden designs of the late 17th century and the naturalistic landscape gardens of the 18th century. His work bridged the gap between two very different approaches to garden design, influencing not only his immediate successors, such as William Kent and Capability Brown, but also the development of the English landscape garden as a whole.

Bridgeman's use of the ha-ha was particularly influential, as it allowed for an uninterrupted view across the garden and into the surrounding countryside, helping to integrate the garden with the natural landscape. His subtle blending of the formal and the natural set the stage for the more dramatic naturalism of later designers, and his work can be seen as a crucial step in the evolution of English garden design.

Although Bridgeman’s contributions were sometimes overshadowed by those of his successors, his importance in the history of garden design has been increasingly recognized. His ability to create landscapes that felt both orderly and natural made him a true innovator of his time.

Death and Commemoration

Charles Bridgeman died in 1738, leaving behind a legacy of some of the most significant gardens of the early Georgian period. Though his individual fame may have been eclipsed by later figures such as Capability Brown, modern scholarship has restored his reputation as a pivotal figure in the development of English landscape design.

Today, Bridgeman is remembered for his pioneering spirit and his ability to blend formal and natural elements into cohesive, beautiful landscapes that paved the way for the great landscape gardens of the 18th century.

References

• Hunt, John Dixon. The Figure in the Landscape: Poetry, Painting, and Gardening during the Eighteenth Century. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1976.
• Turner, Tom. English Garden Design: History and Styles since 1650. Routledge, 1986.
• Hyams, Edward. The English Garden. Thames & Hudson, 1971.
• Batey, Mavis, and David Lambert. The English Garden Tour: A View into the Past. John Murray, 1990.