Wardown Park

Wardown Park is a Grade II listed park in Luton containing formal gardens, walking paths, and a boating lake created during the Victorian era. The lake was formed by widening the River Lea and sits at the heart of the grounds.

In 1904 local councillors purchased the Wardown estate from J Forder and opened it to the public as a community park. This acquisition transformed a private property into a shared space for residents.

The museum housed in the main building displays regional artwork and historical objects that tell stories of local people and their lives. You can see how the collection reflects what mattered to residents over the years.

The park can be entered through two access points with free parking available on Old Bedford Road and New Bedford Road. Both entrances make it easy to reach the grounds and explore the different areas.

During World War II the lake served as a testing ground for waterproof trucks manufactured at the nearby Bedford Vehicles factory. This unusual wartime use reveals how the grounds contributed to the local industrial effort.

Location: Luton

Inception: 1904

GPS coordinates: 51.89361,-0.41889

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:45