Spring Gardens, Vauxhall

Image: © Marathon Taken: 1 Feb 2012

What is now Spring Gardens was once the site of Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens which were first laid out in 1661. The gardens at Vauxhall were amongst the greatest attractions of their day. First called New Spring Gardens to distinguish them from Old Spring Gardens at Charing Cross, admission was free at first but later a charge was introduced. By 1732 the gardens were very much the fashionable resort of the day. The main walks were lit at night by hundreds of lamps, but there were also dark walks with intricate windings and turnings. They were particularly famous for being the site of balloon ascents over London - on one of these a small cat was sent down safely in a small parachute. Special events attracted huge crowds: in 1749 a rehearsal of Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks attracted an audience of 12,000 people, and in 1786 no less than 61,000 people attended the gardens in fancy dress. In 1840 the owners went bankrupt and the gardens closed. After reopening twice more the gardens finally closed in 1859. After a period of occupation by housing, the current Spring Gardens were opened after the Second World War. The building in the background here is the headquarters of the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS). Vauxhall City Farm also occupies part of Spring Gardens - see http://www.vauxhallcityfarm.org/

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