Seaside resorts developed extensively during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Scarborough is one such resort, and its South Cliff Gardens contain the Spa Gardens, the Prince of Wales Gardens, the Rose Garden (1912), the Holbeck Gardens (1880), the Shuttleworth Gardens and the Italian Gardens (1912). George Knowles designed the original gardens, and the park was expanded over the next 80 years. The gardens contain recreational facilities, Britain’s first tidal swimming pool, and two lifts.
A £7 million restoration project was completed in May 2023. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the National Lottery Community Fund, North Yorkshire Council, Scarborough Borough Council, and local fundraising initiatives, this 23-month project restored the gardens to their former glory. This included the restoration of 14 historical shelters and the creation of a community space. The Italian Gardens were restored to ensure their historical integrity and beauty. New planting schemes and biodiversity enhancements have opened up historical views and enriched the gardens’ visual appeal.
This award recognises the restoration work and the initiative of the Friends of the South Cliff Gardens, who were a driving force behind the project.
