Introduction
Burford House was built for William Bowles around 1728, when he bought the estate and grounds. The gardens were improved and expanded, and by the 19th century they were extensive, including an avenue and a garden house. The gardens were completely replanted in 1954.
- Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts
Telephone
01584 810777Access contact details
The gardens are open daily from 9 until 6. Please see:
Other Websites
- History
In the very late-17th or early-18th-century, Sir Francis Cornwall, owner of Burford, deserted his wife and emigrated to Jamaica. His daughter and heir married George Legh, of High Legh, Cheshire, and took on the estate. William Bowles, MP for Bewdley and proprietor of Vauxhall Glass Works, bought Burford from the Leghs around 1720, and in 1728, built the current house and proceded to expand and design the grounds. He had intended for the grounds to also have an extensive deer park, and had bought Burford from the Leghs under the impression that it had one. Six years of litigation followed when he found out that it did not.
In 1954 the house and grounds were sold to Mr John Treasure and his brother. They reduced the house in size, taking away the wings, and began extensive replanting of the gardens. The gardens were first opened to the public in 1958, and have remained so ever since. The modern garden features flowers, meadow, and woodland, and is particularly known for its clematis collection, which intertwines with a great variety of other roses, shrubs, and unusual perennials.
- Associated People
- Features & Designations
Features
- Country House (featured building)
- Description: Burford House is a plain red-brick house of six bays. The main doorway with a broken pediment of Doric columns is of 1825. The later wings were demolished when the house was downsized and remodeled in the 1950s.
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- Garden House
- Description: The garden house has a pediment of four Tuscan columns, with a wrought-iron grille featuring William Bowles' arms in the pediment (Pevnser 1974, 92).
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- Avenue
- Description: Burford House was approached through the grounds from the north by a short, broad avenue.
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- Ornamental Bridge
- Description: A Georgian turfed bridge spans the Ledwyche Brook and connects to an area of wildflowers, trees, and meadow.
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- Key Information
Type
Park
Purpose
Ornamental
Principal Building
Domestic / Residential
Survival
Extant
Hectares
3
Open to the public
Yes
- References
References
- Newman, J. and Pevsner, N. {The Buildings of England: Shropshire}, (London: Yale University Press, 2006) The Buildings of England: Shropshire
- Greenwood, C. and J. {Map of the County of Shropshire}, (London: Greenwood and Co., 1827) Map of the County of Shropshire, 1827
- {Country Life, Vol. 52}, 1947: 1310-1313 Country Life, 52
- {List of Historic Buildings: Ludlow Rural District}, (Ludlow: Ludlow Rural District, 1974) List of Historic Buildings: Ludlow Rural District
- Palmer, B. and A. {Some Shropshire Gardens}, (Shrewsbury: Shropshire Books, 1990) Some Shropshire Gardens