Northernhay Gardens facts for kids
Northernhay Gardens are beautiful public gardens found in Exeter, Devon, England. They are located just north of Rougemont Castle. These gardens are super special because they are the oldest public park in England! They were first created in 1612 as a lovely place for people in Exeter to walk and relax.
The gardens are officially listed as a Grade II historic park. This means they are very important and protected. Exeter City Council takes care of them today.
Long, long ago, in Roman times, this area was a quarry. People dug out stone here to build the city walls. Today, the gardens still have parts of the original Roman wall. They also have the only piece of Saxon town wall you can see in England!
The gardens are shaped like a crescent moon. To the north, you'll find the West of England Main Line railway and Exeter Central railway station. To the south, there's the castle and Rougemont Gardens. You can enter Northernhay Gardens from Northernhay Place on the east side or Northernhay Gate on the west.
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History of Northernhay Gardens
From Roman Quarry to Public Park
The land where Northernhay Gardens now sits has a long history. As mentioned, it was a quarry during Roman times. This is where the stone for Exeter's city walls came from. Later, parts of the Saxon town wall were also built here.
In 1612, the area was officially turned into a public park. It was a place for everyone in Exeter to enjoy. This makes it the oldest public open space in the entire country!
The Civil War and Restoration
Sadly, the early park was damaged during the English Civil War in 1642. Big ditches were dug outside the city walls to help defend Exeter. These ditches destroyed parts of the park.
But after the war, in 1664, the city decided to fix the park. They planted hundreds of young elm trees. They also laid out new gravel paths. Since then, Northernhay Gardens has always been an important place for the city.
Victorian Era Changes
The gardens got a big makeover in 1860. Between 1860 and 1895, many important statues were added. These statues honored famous people from Exeter's history.
For example, the statue called The Deer Stalker was made in 1875. It was created by a sculptor named Edward Bowring Stephens. This statue was even shown at a famous art exhibition in 1876! Stephens also made statues of John Dinham, who was a kind person who helped others, and Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, 10th Baronet.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, people in Exeter had a nickname for the gardens. They lovingly called them "Norney."
Statues and Memorials
Northernhay Gardens is home to several important statues and memorials. They tell stories about the city's past.
Famous Figures Honored
- Stafford Northcote: There is a statue of Stafford Northcote from 1887. He was a Conservative politician. The statue was made by Joseph Boehm.
- Volunteer Memorial: This memorial was built in 1895. It was designed by S. K. Greenslade. It remembers the start of the 1st Rifle Volunteers in 1852. This group was formed to help defend the country.
Exeter War Memorial
The Exeter War Memorial is also in the gardens. It was built in 1923. A local sculptor named John Angel created it. This memorial honors those who served in wars.
Bandstand and Views
The gardens also have a bandstand. This is a special stage where bands can play music. From the gardens, you can see great views over many parts of Exeter.
Modern Gardens
In the mid-1900s, many of the old elm trees in the gardens got sick. They had something called Dutch Elm Disease and had to be cut down. Since then, new trees and plants have been added. The goal is to make sure the gardens look colorful and interesting all year round.
Today, Northernhay Gardens is still a busy place. Many events are held there throughout the year for everyone to enjoy.
