The Shuttleworth Collection

Services

AIRFIELD INFORMATION

The airfield is now open to visiting aircraft, subject to PPR.
The Swiss Garden, Parkland, Playground and Paddocks are open and payment of landing fee also grants access to these areas for the occupants of the aircraft.

SHUTTLEWORTH (OLD WARDEN) AIRFIELD

Shuttleworth (Old Warden) is a private, unlicensed aerodrome, situated in a rural area. The airfield is not inspected daily and the manoeuvring area is uneven, so please exercise caution. Airfield Information can be obtained at NATS Aeronautical Information Service and NOTAMS.

The airfield is open to visiting aircraft.

The main runway 02/20 is firm as are most of the taxiways. Soft patches remain on the taxiway to Rwy 02 threshold. Therefore, for aircraft with heavy wheel loadings, the taxiway to/from Rwy 02 displaced threshold should be avoided; instead, backtrack the main runway and enter/exit via the mid-field taxiways.

SHUTTLEWORTH SWISS GARDEN

Shuttleworth is open daily (excluding air show and engineering open days), with a ‘site-entry’ fee.

Summer Opening Hours (Monday 15 February – 31 October): 10.00 – 17.00 (last entry is at 16.30).
Winter Opening Hours (Monday 1 November – Sunday 13 February): 10.00 – 16.00 (last entry is at 15.30).

RUNWAY CAFÉ

The Runway Café is open from 10:00 – 17:00, Monday through to Sunday. Our current offering includes:

Hot/Soft Drinks
Locally Sourced Cakes
Hot Pasty’s & Sausage Rolls
Jacket Potatoes
Homemade Sandwiches
Ice Creams
Snacks (including chocolate bars, biscuits and crisps)
Children’s Lunch Box
There are always vegetarian options, and we cater to dietary restrictions such as gluten-free – please ask if you have any special requirements.

A water bowl is available for dogs, which are welcome on leads in the outdoor seating area.

We are wheelchair accessible and child-friendly, with high chairs and colouring sheets available.

SHUTTLEWORTH GIFT SHOP

The Shuttleworth Gift Shop has something to suit most budgets, whether it’s a memento of a fun day out or a gift for someone special. We stock value for money items, with many products sourced from artisan and local suppliers, putting quality first. Browse our gallery of local suppliers below to see some of our favourites!
Please note, the shop will not be accepting cash payments.

PLAY AREA

Shuttleworth is open daily (excluding air show and engineering open days), with a ‘site-entry’ fee.

Summer Opening Hours (Monday 15 February – 31 October): 10.00 – 17.00 (last entry is at 16.30).
Winter Opening Hours (Monday 1 November – Sunday 13 February): 10.00 – 16.00 (last entry is at 15.30).

Weddings at Shuttleworth

Shuttleworth is a five thousand acre estate in the heart of Bedfordshire. We offer a wide range of wedding options all of which are perfect to celebrate your special day. Please see below more detail with regards to the three venues available within The Shuttleworth Estate.
Shuttleworth House – Built in 1872 with unrivalled views over the parkland, Shuttleworth House provides a stunning setting for your wedding day. We have four licensed rooms for civil ceremonies plus The Summer House adjacent to the croquet lawn. Shuttleworth House is a truly perfect venue for both large and intimate weddings alike.
The Parkland – 425 acres of historic parkland, majestic trees and sweeping views of the countryside. The Parkland is the perfect place to host a Marquee or Tipi wedding.

Shuttleworth Swiss Garden – Our nine-acre Swiss Garden was created in the 1820s by Lord Ongley. A late Regency style design which sets it apart from any other English country garden. With picturesque views and features, it is a wonderful venue for a ceremony in either of its two licensed venues – The Swiss Cottage sat in the centre of the garden with breath-taking views or for those looking for a magical yet intimate venue, The Grotto & Fernery is simply stunning.
Shuttleworth Collection – For a truly unique reception venue Hangar 3 is unmatched. With a backdrop of historical Shuttleworth exhibits and the hangar doors wide open on a balmy summer’s day, it really does have the wow factor.

Our in-house team of Chefs offer an extensive selection of menus, alternatively, if you wish to provide your own catering please contact our weddings team in regards to our dry hire packages.
Our weddings team would be delighted to invite you for a show round of the options available to give you a better understanding of how your most special day would work at Shuttleworth.

VENUE HIRE

Here at Shuttleworth we are uniquely placed to offer an exclusive combination of venue options with three complimentary settings: The House, with grand period rooms; The Swiss Garden, a complete example of a romantic Regency style picturesque garden in UK, and The Collection, an historic aerodrome with hangars open to the public housing vintage aircraft, mostly Edwardian vehicles and classic motorcycles overlooking a grass airfield. We can offer bespoke exclusive location hire, as well as a range of conferencing, team building and corporate event options that can include access to The Collection and/or The Swiss Garden. Specialist groups and events welcome.

THE HOUSE

Once home to the Shuttleworth family, The House is now a dedicated events venue for corporate hire & conferencing, employee engagement & team building or exclusive location hire. Set in over 400 acres of beautiful Parkland, The House is an inspiring space with many of the original features and interiors of its architectural heritage.

The parkland is available to hire for outdoor events; our current clients include NSRA (National Street Rods Association), and Dog Agility events.

Catering is overseen by our in-house chef, so we can ensure our food is freshly prepared and of the highest standard. If you want to create something special, we’ll work with you to design a menu. We can cater for many dietary requirements.

THE HISTORY OF SHUTTLEWORTH HOUSE

The Shuttleworth Family made their money through the family business of Clayton and Shuttleworth before Joseph Shuttleworth made the move to Bedfordshire.
Shuttleworth House, as it stands today, was built in 1875. The design is by the prominent Victorian architect Henry Clutton. It is situated in 425 acres of beautiful grounds known as Old Warden Park.
The interior retains period features in many of the rooms, and many of the furnishings were made by Gillows of Lancaster. The family was very fond of dogs and horses, which is evident in many of the paintings. Many of the artworks found throughout are 19th-century, produced by artists popular in the period including Sir Frank Dicksee, Benjamin Williams Leader, George Vicat Cole, and Frank Holl.

KEEPING YOUR AIRCRAFT AT OLD WARDEN
FULL

Currently, we have no available hangar space. Limited outside parking is available.
The purpose-built modern hangar is equipped with full internal lighting, numerous power points, ‘one man’ easy to operate doors and fully alarmed. Shuttleworth is a grass airfield, with on-site pay-at-pumps facilities (see below).

FUEL – UL91 AND 100LL
Card payment, self-service fuel available 24/7 with discount for resident aircraft.

TRAILS

Throughout the year, and at selected events, trails are available to make visits even more interesting.
Pick up paper copies of trails in the Visitor Centre, selected trails are also available to follow via Bluetooth Beacons and contain additional content such as video and imagery.
CARAVAN AND CAMPING AT SHUTTLEWORTH
Surrounded by beautiful Bedfordshire countryside, the campsite shares grounds with The Collection and The Swiss Garden and Shuttleworth House. Stay over to enjoy an air show for a peaceful weekend away, Shuttleworth Camping provides the ideal setting.

SCHOOL VISITS

Add an exciting dimension to your teaching this term by booking an educational visit to Shuttleworth. We are committed to lifelong learning and offer a diverse range of formal and informal education programmes for all levels from Early Years to Degree level and beyond. We offer visits to either attraction, and combined visits to both.

YOUTH GROUPS

Shuttleworth makes an ideal venue for a trip for your youth organisation, and may also used to gain evidence for badges/awards that you offer. This includes special interest tours focussed toward Air Training Cadets (ATC), CCF, Young Farmers and Woodcraft Folk to name but a few.
We also offer programmes aimed at both Scouting and Girlguiding badges at all levels and we can even incorporate these into an on-site camp. If you are an area organiser, why not consider us a venue for STEM challenges, or ask us about our Working with Artists programme.

MAKE A DONATION TO SHUTTLEWORTH

The Shuttleworth Collection is a registered charity. We receive no government funding so our income is raised through admission fees, events, and our restaurant and gift shop. Donations help us to undertake projects and activities that directly support our charitable objectives.
Due to COVID-19 we have had to cancel many of our events and commercial activity that we rely on, extra support is vital for us now. Your support is more crucial than ever and, if you feel able to donate, we would be so grateful for your contribution. Your support will help enable us to safeguard the collection and gardens for future use.

Gallery