Blackmore (Coronation) Gardens
Once belonging to Blackmore House, (which stood on the site now used by the health centre), the gardens supplied fresh produce for the family's table, as well as providing an area for their recreation.
The Urban District Council adopted Blackmore Gardens on the 15th January 1952 having bought the freehold from The Honourable Mrs G H Pleydell-Bouverie who owned the land at that time. The Gardens were then altered into a public park by demolishing various outbuildings and glasshouses and replanted with themed floral displays.
Recent changes have seen the removal of the old (and diseased) rose beds from the outer section of the garden, some to be replaced by bold herbaceous designs and others grassed over to allow further recreational uses. There is an "aramatic garden" running along the outside edge of the western boarder of the gardens; planted with herbs such as sage, thyme, oregano and lavender.
The quiet green spaces of Blackmore Gardens are used as a relaxing break and lunch stop by local employees as well as being used to stage various performances during the International Folk Festival.
In 2003, "Fred the Peacock" who was situated in Blackmore Gardens, won the Sun/Briggs and Stratton prize for Britain's Best Park. "Fred’s three dimensional head and colourfully planted tail caught the judges’ eyes and won the Council almost £3,000 worth of lawn maintenance equipment."
Fred is just one of the floral sculptures designed by the District Council’s Street Scene Service. Other creations throughout the Council’s openspaces through the year include three dimensional fish, a lion and cubs, a family of tortoises and the Loch Ness Monster!
If you would like to book an event in the Blackmore Gardens, please use the details at the top of this page.
