Wardown Park is one of Luton’s most cherished green spaces, known for its historic character, boating lake and scenic grounds. As one of the town’s district parks, it provides a peaceful environment within easy walking distance of the town centre.
The park surrounds Wardown House Museum and is recognised as a Grade II listed historic park and garden for its rare combination of Victorian and Edwardian landscape design. Over 100 years ago, local councillors and community leaders purchased the house, gardens and surrounding land so the public could enjoy them. Their decision created a much loved public space that continues to be enjoyed today.
A major restoration programme, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, is helping to enhance the park and protect its historic features. Local residents are encouraged to take part through the active friends group and other community organisations that help support activities in the park.
Luton Council’s Parks and Countryside Service is working on a project to restore the historic boating lake and nearby heritage features. This work also aims to improve the surrounding green areas to support wildlife and increase awareness of the park’s natural heritage. The funding has made it possible to appoint a project delivery manager and a community engagement officer to lead this work.
Public involvement is an essential part of the project. Local people are invited to share their memories, stories and ideas, which will help shape an activity plan and support the development of a dedicated Friends of Wardown Park group. This group will bring together volunteers with a range of skills and interests to help care for this valued green space.
Project updates
Our Wardown Park lake restoration project is nearing the end of its development phase after almost two years of planning.
So far, we have:
- completed public engagement
- carried out site surveys
- agreed a plan to remove silt from the lake
- finalised designs to improve access and wildlife habitats
- prepared an activity plan for future events and interpretation
Recent hot weather and drought conditions have exposed the large amount of silt that has built up in the lake. This highlights the need to restore the lake so it can support wildlife and be enjoyed by visitors again.
We submitted our funding application to The National Lottery Heritage Fund in August and expect an update in December. We will share more information when a decision is made.
If you would like more information, want to get involved, or have memories or photographs of the park to share, you can email the project team.
Email: TheBoatingLake@luton.gov.uk
Wardown House and Gardens were bought by Luton Corporation in 1904 and opened to the public in 1906. The suspension bridge across the lake followed in 1908 and is believed to be one of the shortest in the country. It is built mainly of iron, with its original piers later replaced by concrete. The bridge has undergone major repairs several times, including in 1953, again in 2015 after being closed for safety reasons, and once more in 2025 when it was repainted with care taken to protect the lake from contamination.
Park facilities
- Wardown house and museum
- Adventure golf
- Children’s play area
- Tennis court
- Basketball court
- Lakes
- Suspension bridge
- Bandstand
- Toilets
- Café Kiosk
- Areas for informal recreation