Place    From 1661  To 1859

Vauxhall Gardens

Categories: Music / songs, Theatre

A pleasure garden and one of the leading venues for public entertainment in Georgian London for over 60 years.

Originally known as New Spring Gardens, the site is believed to have opened before the Restoration of 1660, being mentioned by Samuel Pepys in 1662. The Gardens consisted of several acres of trees and shrubs with attractive walks. Initially entrance was free, with food and drink being sold to support the venture. At this time it was little more than a rural brothel.

The lease of what was now known as 'Vauxhall Spring-Gardens', was acquired by Jonathan Tyers in 1729 and he transforming the gardens into a family-friendly venue by installing lights and commissioning new entertainments, while leaving some areas unlit to allow the profitable activities to continue. When Tyers died in 1767 his two sons became joint proprietors of the pleasure garden. Jonathan junior ran the gardens for 25 years but without the flair of his father. On his death in 1792 his son-in-law Bryant Barrett (1743-1809) took it over, and on his death his two sons carried on, though it is thought that they left the running in the hands of their managers.

In 1785 The site became Vauxhall Gardens and admission was charged for its attractions. The Gardens drew enormous crowds, with its paths being noted for romantic assignations. Tightrope walkers, hot-air balloon ascents, concerts and fireworks provided entertainment. The rococo "Turkish tent" became one of the Gardens' structures, the interior of the Rotunda became one of Vauxhall's most viewed attractions, and the chinoiserie style was a feature of several buildings.

From the north the gardens were only accessible by boat until the erection of Vauxhall Bridge in the 1810s.

A statue depicting George Frideric Handel in the Gardens later found its way to Westminster Abbey. In 1817, the Battle of Waterloo was re-enacted, with 1,000 soldiers participating.

Following closure the land was redeveloped, but slum clearance in the late 20th century saw part of the original site opened up as a public park. This was initially called Spring Gardens and renamed in 2012 as Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. It is managed as a public park by the London Borough of Lambeth.

The picture source is an excellent site for further information.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Vauxhall Gardens

Commemorated ati

Jonathan Tyers

Jonathan Tyers (1702 - 1767) Jonathan Tyers was born on Bermondsey Street an...

Read More

Other Subjects

George Ratcliffe Woodward

George Ratcliffe Woodward

Hymn writer (e.g. wrote the words for the carol "Ding dong merrily on high"). Born: Birkenhead, Cheshire. Died: Highgate. Buried: Little Walsingham, Norfolk, where he had been a vicar. He retir...

Person, Music / songs

1 memorial
Anton Bruckner

Anton Bruckner

Composer. On 29 July 1871 he stayed in a house in Finsbury Square. He was in London giving six organ recitals at Royal Albert Hall and five at the Crystal Palace. While in London he started work on...

Person, Music / songs, Austria

1 memorial
Sir Arthur Bliss

Sir Arthur Bliss

Composer. Born Queen's Ride, Barnes, son of an American businessman. Wrote the music for the 1936 film Things to Come. Died at home, 8 The Lane, Marlborough Place, St John's Wood.

Person, Music / songs, USA

1 memorial
E. C. H. Rowland

E. C. H. Rowland

Entertainer and cinema manager. Born Edward Cyril Hawken Rowland in Plymouth. He appeared as a music hall comedian in London before joining the army. During World War I, he served in France with th...

Person, Cinema, Music / songs, Theatre, France

1 memorial
Peter Pasqualino
1 memorial

Previously viewed

Simon Lowe tree

Simon Lowe tree

EC1, Benjamin Street, St John's Garden

In the photo you can see 3 stone plaques on this wall. The low, middle one is weather-worn into illegibility. Lowe's tree is at the centr...

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Fountain Tavern

Fountain Tavern

WC2, Strand, Savoy Buildings

In this court in the 18th century stood the Fountain Tavern where the political opponents of Sir Robert Walpole met using the title of th...

6 subjects commemorated
Sir Edward Elgar

Sir Edward Elgar

Born in Broadheath, near Worcester.  First moved to London on his marriage in 1889.  A keen early adopting cyclist he often got inspiration from a country ride. On writing "Land of Hope and Glory" ...

Person, Music / songs, Seriously Famous

5 memorials
Dame Edith Evans

Dame Edith Evans

Actor. Born Edith Mary Evans at 12 Ebury Square. In a stage and screen career spanning sixty-six years, she appeared in many memorable productions. Her most famous role was probably that of Lady Br...

Person, Cinema, Theatre

2 memorials
Peter Paul Rubens

Peter Paul Rubens

Artist and diplomat. Born in Siegen, Westphalia (modern day Germany). He studied art in Antwerp and Venice, and entered the service of Vincenzo Gonzago, Duke of Mantua, where he began a parallel ca...

Person, Art, Politics & Administration, Seriously Famous, Belgium, Germany, Italy

2 memorials