Charles Bridgeman (d.1738)

Bridgeman was the last gardener to have sole responsibility for all of the Royal Gardens. He trained at London and Wise’s Brompton Park Nursery, Kensington, and in 1726 became Henry Wise’s partner in the role of joint Chief Gardeners to George I, responsible for Hampton Court, Kensington, Newmarket, Windsor and St James’ Palace. Richmond Gardens had a status apart, as they and the Lodge were granted to the Prince of Wales and Caroline by George I in 1722, and then by George II to his wife on his accession. Bridgeman had already worked for the Prince of Wales on his mistress’ garden at Marble Hill, as well as at Richmond. When George II succeeded in 1727 Wise retired, and Bridgeman was appointed sole Royal Gardener, managing Richmond under a separate contract. A significant part of Bridgeman’s work at Richmond was the landscaping of William Kent’s follies. However, he also created a canal and extended the riverside Terrace to Kew. It was under Bridgeman that the planting of trees, to soften the edges of the cultivated fields, began in earnest. He had a particular liking for elms, establishing a Great Elm Walk from Richmond Lodge to Love Lane. Bridgeman’s greatest achievement is said to have been the landscaping of Lord Cobham’s grounds at Stowe, again working in collaboration with Kent.

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