St Peters and the forgotten Ranelagh Pleasure Gardens

Glover, Mick2014

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Summary

Charles Newbolt, landlord of the Red Lion, started up St Peters’ Ranelagh pleasure gardens in 1818, as a venue for music, dancing and theatrical performances. The gardens were roughly south-west of St Peter’s High Street, and their location can be partly traced today by the street names ‘Ranelagh Grove’, and possibly also ‘The Orchard’. Pigot’s Guide of 1840 describes the Gardens ¬- The gardens cover an area of about two acres and a half, interspersed with splendid marquees, and a pleasing and beautiful series of cosmoramas; as many as two thousand persons assemble here in one day. The ordinary price of admission is one shilling, for which refreshments to that amount are supplied. The amusements commenced about four o’clock, and last till dusk, during which time and excellent band for quadrilles and country dances is in attendance. In the rear of the principal garden is a bowling green, kept in the best condition. These are the healthful enjoyments that are provided at Saint Peters, Ranelagh – gratuitously, it may be considered. Public breakfasts take place twice a week during the season; and latterly the gardens have been opened and brilliantly illuminated for night galas. The church of St Peters is a fine old structure, surmounted by a tower that has long served as a well defined landmark to mariners...’