2025 marks 150 years since developer Jonathan Carr purchased the first 24 acres of land that would later form the area known as Bedford Park. Considered the first garden suburb, and the “most significant suburb built in the last century”, Bedford Park quickly became an inspiration and model for later garden suburbs and cities.  

 
Closely influencing the arts and craft movement and garden city developments, this tour explores the large British Queen Anne Revival houses of Norman Shaw and the unique community centres, pubs and local stores of some of the leading Victorian era architects. Expect red brick buildings complete with rubbed brick decorations, elaborate chimneys alongside carefully preserved trees and green spaces. 

 

A key example of alternative ways of thinking about developments in the city, Bedford Park continues to provide lessons for how contemporary, low density and 15-minute city style developments can play out today. Join NLA's Co-Founder Peter Murray to explore this ‘ideal suburb’ (Peter Hall).

 

Key Stops: Norman Shaw’s store, pub, church and community club, Buddhist Vihara, and perimeter of park.