Borough Gardens, Dorchester

Borough Gardens
Borough Gardens
	The gardens in the 1890s, viewed from the south
Location	Dorchester, Dorset
OS grid	SY 68935 90461
Coordinates	50°42′46.6″N2°26′28.9″W / 50.712944°N 2.441361°W
Area	4 hectares (10 acres)
Opened	1896
Designer	William Goldring
Operated by	Dorchester Town Council
Designation	Grade II
Website	www.dorchester-tc.gov.uk/Services/Borough+Gardens

Last updated August 20, 2023

The Borough Gardens is a public open space in Dorchester, in Dorset, England, It was opened in 1896, and is listed Grade II in Historic England's Register of Parks and Gardens.^[1] The gardens are owned and maintained by Dorchester Town Council.

History and description

The rectangular site, longer from north to south, has an area of 4 hectares (10 acres), and is bounded by Albert Road in the north, by Cornwall Road in the west, in the east by West Walks Road (part of the Town Walks), and in the south by a footpath between Cornwall Road and Bowling Alley Walk.^[1]

To create the gardens, Dorchester Corporation in 1895 purchased from the Duchy of Cornwall 4 acres (1.6 ha) of land, which would become the northern part of the Gardens, and purchased from S. R. Harris a house and nursery gardens, which would be the southern part. The park was designed by William Goldring. Existing mature trees were incorporated in the design, and plants were supplied by Veitch Nurseries in Chelsea. There were modifications to the ground level and the creation of curvilinear walks. The planned bandstand and fountain were constructed after the official opening, which took place on 30 July 1896. The first superintendent was Mr Harris, the former owner of the southern part of the site.^[1]

Features

The bandstand, designed by the Borough Surveyor G. J. Hunt, celebrating Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, was opened in 1898. It, and its 12 surrounding benches, are listed at Grade II.^[2] The fountain, donated in memory of G. J. Gregory, five times Mayor of Dorchester, was opened in that year. The Tirah Memorial, a stone obelisk erected in 1899, is a memorial to men of the 1st Battalion of the Dorset Regiment who had died in the Tirah Campaign of 1897–98 in India. A cast-iron clock tower (now Grade II-listed^[3]) was donated in 1905 by Charles Hansford.^[1]^[4]

In the early 20th century, a bowling green was created in the south of the site, and tennis courts were constructed.^[1]

Re-opening

An opening ceremony again took place (although the gardens were never closed) on 7 May 2007, conducted by Julian Fellowes, on the completion of a restoration and refurbishment project, partly funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.^[4]

Facilities include a play area, adult fitness equipment, four tennis courts and a community room.^[4]

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References

1 2 3 4 5 Historic England. "Borough Gardens, Dorchester (1001559)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 14 August 2023.
↑ Historic England. "Bandstand and surrounding twelve park benches (Grade II) (1220900)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
↑ Historic England. "Clock tower in public gardens (Grade II) (1290747)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
1 2 3 "Borough Gardens" Dorchester Town Council. Retrieved 18 August 2023.

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[listing-1] 1 2 3 4 5 Historic England. "Borough Gardens, Dorchester (1001559)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 14 August 2023.

[2] Historic England. "Bandstand and surrounding twelve park benches (Grade II) (1220900)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 19 August 2023.

[3] Historic England. "Clock tower in public gardens (Grade II) (1290747)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 14 August 2023.

[council-4] 1 2 3 "Borough Gardens" Dorchester Town Council. Retrieved 18 August 2023.

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