The Botanical Gardens
N 53° 19.151 W 003° 28.379
30U E 468492 N 5907882
This is a pleasant Botanical Gardens in Rhyl, in the County of Denbighshire, North Wales, with some quiet parts with ponds surrounded by paths, flowers and hedges. It also has tennis courts and crown bowling greens (grass).
Waymark Code: WMEC
Location: North Wales, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 08/22/2005
Views: 51
Unfortunately, the year that a nursery was started on the land is still unknown. The site is first recorded in the Tithe Maps of Wales (produced between 1838 and 1850 to ensure all tithes were paid) and confirm it was arable land named "Cae Glas." It was likely a part of the T'yn Rhyl estate as early as 1672.
More recently, the 1871 Flintshire Ordnance Survey shows the gardens as "Hard Croft Nursery." "The Botanical Gardens" is introduced to the public by the Wrexham Guardian newspaper when the sale (date unknown) of "Hardcroft Nurseries" to a Mr. R.D. Roberts (the poet known "Mwrog"). Additionally, it is announcement (in this 4th August newspaper) that "The Botanical Gardens" will open to the public on 13th August 1877.
The Botanical Gardens Estate included Belle Vue Gardens into which the football club moved in 1900. The North Wales Express newspaper confirmed in their 13th September 1878 edition that The Botanical Gardens were put up for auction along with the rest of the estate for Mr. R.D. Roberts ("Mwrog") but "The sale of the Botanical Gardens was withdrawn, only £1850 being offered for it."
Sources for the above:
The North Wales Express, 13th September 1878: (
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Wrexham Guardian, 4th August 1877: (
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The 1871 Flintshire Ordnance Survey map: (
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Recorded as plot 491 on the Tithe Map of the borough of Rhuddlan (which then encompassed Rhyl): (
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"Ownership of the Botanical Gardens changed over the following years. The site fell into neglect for a period, but in the 1920’s the gardens were acquired by Rhyl Urban District Council and were reopened to the public, free of charge, on Whit Monday 1928. In addition to the beautiful gardens, recreational facilities including bowling greens, tennis courts, a miniature golf course and childrens’ swings. A frequent bus service ferried visitors to and from the promenade."
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"At one time these gardens had impressive rose gardens, a tropical greenhouse, monkey puzzle trees, yucca plants and pampas grasses, along with another dog-bone shaped pond with scalloped edging. Little of its horticultural past remains today."
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"In 2003 Denbighshire County Council planned to demolish the café to make way for a new Register Office and car park. Rhyl South West Central Association was formed and successfully campaigned to save the Gardens for the people of Rhyl. The Association received the 2008 Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for the gardens’ reinstatement."
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