The Shuttleworth Collection

About

About

Shuttleworth is home to The Collection, The Swiss Garden, and The House. Based at Old Warden, just off the A1 at Biggleswade.

The Shuttleworth Collection has never been a museum of static exhibits - it’s a living, working collection of the best airworthy vintage aircraft in the UK. With six hangars and the engineering workshop waiting to be explored, the aircraft span the pioneering years of aviation from 1909 to the 1950s. The Collection includes: The largest collection of genuine WWI airworthy aircraft in the Europe; The oldest aircraft still flying; The oldest British airworthy aircraft, and; Exhibits that are sole survivors of their type. Some of the aircraft here are now over 100 years old! Designed originally for a whole range of purposes, from fighting the enemy in the two world wars to breaking world records, they have all contributed to pushing the boundaries of aircraft design. Other exhibits include veteran vehicles, vintage bicycles, early carriages, motorcycles and the largest number of Clayton & Shuttleworth agricultural exhibits open to the public. There is no better experience than for our visitors to see the exhibits in action so from May until October Shuttleworth is a world class vintage air display venue with vintage vehicle parades and Discovery zone activities for children and families.

The Swiss Garden was created by Lord Ongley in the 1820s as an extensive picturesque authentic Regency style Swiss Garden, with 13 structures and intriguing vistas in 9 acre grounds, plenty of seating throughout, along with a woodland walk and sculpture trail. Embellished with Victorian features during the 1870s The Shuttleworth family, it nestles adjacent to The Shuttleworth Collection, and the former mansion that was the Shuttleworth family home. The garden’s events programme includes the very popular Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, outdoor theatre, floral and craft workshops, and garden walks.

The House is the former home of the Shuttleworth family. It’s open to the public on selected event days and for Afternoon Tea. It is a popular wedding venue, which also offers conferencing and team building as well as bespoke venue hire packages. At Sunday airshows vintage buses run between the aerodrome and The House offering visitors’ free rides.

Shuttleworth has a grass runway, plenty of free parking, outdoor play area, restaurant, gift shop and visitor centre. Coach tours, group visits, and schools are welcome. Camping facilities are available on selected weekends, and accommodation is also available in The House. Most areas of the site are accessible, our staff and volunteers are friendly and helpful, and Shuttleworth visitor attraction is open 361 days a year with family activities and trails available during school holidays.

 

Adjacent to

 

Site Features

Regional Tourist Board Member

Target Markets

Accepts groups

Coach parties accepted

Property Facilities

Gift shop

Public toilets

Catering

On-site catering

Picnic site

Meeting, Conference & Wedding Facilities

Facilities for corporate hospitality

Leisure facilities onsite

Groups

Learning space

Facilities for educational visits

Facilities for groups

Guided tours for groups

Accessibility

Disabled access

Disabled toilets

 

Attractions include:

The Shuttleworth Collection (admission payable)

The Swiss Garden (admission payable)

Outdoor children’s play area

Restaurant

Visitor Centre & Gift Shop

The House (open on specified event days only)