Marylebone Gardens facts for kids
Marylebone Gardens was a famous London "pleasure garden." Imagine a big park with lots of fun things to do! It was located in the village of Marylebone, which was outside London back then. People visited these gardens from the mid-1600s to the late 1700s. It was a popular spot for entertainment and relaxation.
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Where Were the Gardens?
The Marylebone Gardens were in an area that is now part of central London. Today, you would find this spot between Marylebone Road, Marylebone High Street, Weymouth Street, and Harley Street. The land where the gardens once stood is now covered by Beaumont Street and part of Devonshire Street.
From Manor to Fun Park
The gardens started small, with two bowling greens next to a place called the Rose of Normandy tavern. Over time, they grew much larger. Land was added from the old Marylebone Manor House. This manor house was once a hunting lodge for King Henry VIII. Later, it became a boarding school before being taken down in 1791.
The gardens themselves were surrounded by a tall brick wall. They had many fruit trees. There was a main entrance from Marylebone village's High Street. Another entrance led in from the open fields behind the gardens.
Inside the Gardens
At the heart of Marylebone Gardens was a large, open oval bowling green. This was surrounded by a wide, gravel path. Many smaller paths and green areas wound through the gardens. These smaller sections were bordered by neatly trimmed hedges. These hedges were kept very tidy and looked like tiny town walls.
Music and Shows
In 1738, the Marylebone Gardens were officially set up for concerts and other fun events. Daniel Gough, who owned the Rose tavern, made these changes. A large organ was put in for musical performances.
New Features and Food
By 1739, halls were built to offer shelter from the weather. The entry fee was set at a sixpence. This helped to manage the crowds. You could even buy special silver season tickets! Food and drinks were also a big draw. A caterer named John Trusler took over the food service around 1756. He offered public dinners and breakfasts. His daughter was famous for making delicious Marylebone tarts and cakes. Advertisements from 1760 mentioned "Tarts of a twelvepenny size" and hot almond cheesecake.
Famous Musicians and Fireworks
Many well-known London musicians and composers performed here. These included George Frideric Handel and James Hook. The orchestra was led by William Defesch. From 1763 to 1768, the gardens were managed by Thomas Lowe, a singer. Samuel Arnold later took over the music and ownership with violinist Thomas Pinto.
In 1758, the gardens hosted the first English performance of an opera called La serva padrona. James Hook became the main organist and composer in 1769. He held a festival there every summer. The gardens were also famous for their amazing firework displays. These shows were put on by Signor Torre from 1772 to 1774.
The Rose Tavern later became a music hall called "The Marylebone." The area where the gardens once stood was eventually built over in 1778. For many years, it was even the site of the studios for BBC London 94.9.
