Victoria Pleasure Gardens were created by public subscription to celebrate the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897. These gardens were popular with the elegant Edwardians and in 1910 Walkers of Tewkesbury installed a band-stand which was in regular use until the 1950s. In 2007 a combination of severe flooding and reduced funding devastated the gardens. What we see now is the result of collaboration between local councils and a volunteer group, ‘The Friends of Victoria Pleasure Gardens’.
The main features of the gardens include the old wall of the Abbey Grounds, The Abbey Malthouse, now used as private dwellings and the The Mill Avon. The Mill Avon is a spur of the River Avon, cut by medieval monks to power their flour mill. The mill seen today is the 18th century replacement and currently privately-owned flats.
After the flooding in 2007 new flowerbeds were formed in 2008. Brightly coloured annuals are planted in early June and permanent plants are chosen to withstand the annual winter floods and provide food an shelter for insects.
The arches at the entrances were financed from public donations and erected in 2012 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II*
*Information from a signboard in the gardens
You mentioned the destruction wrought by flooding and the rebuilding afterwards. Will there be damage this year from the searing heat or fires?
There was no damage when I visited on a very hot weekend. The temperature did get more extreme a few days later but I can’t see that it would a problem in the way you mention.
Beautiful gardens. So much to see and do in Tewkesbury! I’ve seen a boat like that filled with flowers in Eardisland – such a lovely idea
I want to go back and do the walks that I missed on this occasion.
You’re reminding me,Cherry, of how fun it was to be in England during the Jubilee celebrations. Watching them on TV there was much better than watching them here where we live!
I was a bit disappointed that our movements meant we didn’t quite co-inside with any of the celebrations. I did however manage to see some of the artworks and shop window displays in the lead up to the Jubilee weekend.
Our lawn is so parched and it has not rained for a very, very, very long time!
I kinda miss the rain now.
We had some rain yesterday and part of the lawn is turning from gold to pale green.
it all looks well maintained and so neat, CP. a pleasant place to visit on a nice day.
It was lovely to sit in the cool shade and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere