Long Garden

LONG GARDEN

The Long Garden with its ever changing displays of ornamental bedding plants is situated at the west side of the Promenade, opposite to a magnificent early 19th century terrace which was originally known as Harward’s Buildings, after Samuel Harward, one of the developers of Sherborne Spa and the Promenade. Belonging among Cheltenham’s finest terraces, it was designed by George Allen Underwood in 1825 and in 1915 the buildings became part of the Municipal Offices.

Neptune Fountain

NEPTUNE FOUNTAIN

At the southern end of the Long Garden is the Neptune's Fountain which was made from Portland stone in 1893 by a local sculptor R. L. Boulton and depicts Neptune being drawn by sea horses. The fountain utilises the waters from the river Chelt which runs beneath it. Designed by Borough engineer Joseph Hall who was influenced by the Trevi Fountain in Rome, the fountain was officially unveiled by the Mayoress of Cheltenham on 3rd October 1893. During the summer the fountain is beautifully lit at night creating thus a grand backdrop for evening shopping in the Promenade.

Cheltenham War Memorial

MEMORIALS

The Long Garden is the backdrop to a number of memorials. Cheltenham War Memorial was erected in 1921. This 24 feet high simple cenotaph was unveiled on 1st October 1921. Presiding over the ceremony was General Sir Robert Fanshawe, commander of the old 48th division in which many local men had served. Another war memorial, this time dedicated to the men who served in South Africa is situated at the northern end of the Long Garden.

Memorial to Edward Wilson, Arctic explorer who died on the expedition to South Pole with Robert Scott, located next to the Neptune Fountain, was sculpted by Captain Scott’s widow Kathleen. The bronze statue placed on a plinth made by the local firm of R. L. Boulton was unveiled on 9th July 1914 by Sir Clarence Markham, Arctic explorer and president of the Royal Geographical Society.