Drinking Fountain

BURIAL GROUNDS

Winston Churchill Memorial Gardens is a small park located at the lower part of the High Street as it joins Tewkesbury Street. Originally, this site was brought by the church authorities of St. Mary’s Church to be used as the New Burial Ground, because the churchyard was becoming full. In 1831 at the cost of £300, the chapel, which still stands in the gardens today and has become a Grade II listed building, was built in the classical style by local architect Rowland Paul. The original gates made by famous local firm Marshalls have been replaced by newer ones by equally successful firm of Letheren.

MEMORIAL GARDEN

In 1966 this area have been converted into a memorial garden and all tombstones apart from one hidden in the shrubs have been removed. Ornamental trees, a play area and a formal lavender garden and terrace with mosaic drinking fountain, a local art project lead by Emily Lawler where words, phrases and simple line drawings were pressed into blue engineering bricks, are some of the features of the gardens today. Parallel with the gardens once run the Honeybourne Railway Line, now a pleasant cycle and foot path, leading from Lansdown to Pittville.

Family fun day is held in the gardens annually. Also in the gardens is a fenced play area with a woodland trail, which includes living tree sculptures. Equipment, which was picked by children from Gloucester Road Primary School, includes a multi activity unit, roundabout, inclusive play springie, swings, a pole spin and talk tubes. In the spring, daffodils and other bulbs provide a wonderful setting for children’s play activities.