Wardown Park

The park provides the setting for Wardown Park Museum and offers a wide range of opportunities for formal and informal recreational activities. The historic significance of the park is acknowledged by its inclusion as Grade II on the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, particularly due to the rarity of the combination of Victorian and Edwardian purpose-built design features that make-up the Park.
  
We owe the existence of the park to a group of local councillors and civic leaders who arranged for the purchase of the house, gardens and land that now forms the Park on behalf of the people of the town over a 100 years ago. Their vision and commitment have left us with a legacy that we have a responsibility to maintain and cherish.

The park is greatly valued by local people and with outstanding features and is one of the most visited parks in Luton. It provides an oasis of calm within walking distance of the town centre.

A recent programme of restoration funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund (LHF) has restored Wardown Park to a standard befitting its importance and popularity.

Community involvement is encouraged through an active ‘friends of the park’ group and with other user groups which make up the ‘park community’.

Boating lake and natural surrounds restoration at Wardown Park

Luton Council’s Parks and Countryside Service are now progressing a very exciting project focused on the restoration of Wardown Park’s historic boating lake and associated heritage features as well as enhancement of the surrounding greenspace for the promotion of biodiversity.

We are delighted to be receiving support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (LHF) for this very prestigious project.

The development phase is now gaining momentum with the recruitment of a Project Manager Ciaran Mullan and Community Engagement Officer Noreen Iqbal.

An essential component of the project will be public engagement with users of the park and residents of Luton who may be interested in getting involved with the project to share their views, experiences and memories of the park.

Ultimately, we are also seeking to build support for a designated Friends of Wardown Park group with a range of skills, knowledge and ability who may be able to assist us in this wonderful asset and vital greenspace in the heart of our town.

If you would like further information or to express your interest in being involved, or have memories and photos you’d like to share then please contact us by emailing: [email protected].

Wardown Park Suspension Bridge

Wardown House and Garden was purchased by Luton Corporation (early version of the council) in 1904 and opened to the public in 1906. The bridge across the lake was opened two years later in 1908. It is reported as being the shortest suspension bridge in the country. It is constructed primarily of iron, with the original iron piers being replaced by concrete ones. 

It has received significant works on three occasions since its opening. Firstly in 1953 when the bridge received works that have dictated its appearance ever since. By 2015 it had been closed because it needed significant repair. The restoration took four months and worked to the 1953 design. It reopened in July 2015. Finally in 2025 it was again closed for six weeks to repaint the entire bridge. Great care was taken to avoid any old paint when it was removed contaminating the water below. 

Here is a short video of the reopening in 2015 following the restoration works.