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Southsea Rock Gardens

Where

On Clarence Esplanade, set between Burgoyne Gardens and the Promenade. There is ample pay and display parking along the Esplanade.

Opening Times

This site is open at all times

Area

12,100 square metres   (1.21 Hectares)

What’s There

• This secluded area is very popular with visitors for the sheltered and tranquil gardens offered by the vast range of trees, shrubs and borders.

• Plants are constantly being sourced with the intention of building up a distinctive collection of flora not normally seen in publicly open areas.

• There is a pond and fountain, with associated wetland plants and fish stock.

• An interpretation board is at the roadside entrance, giving an illustrated history of the gardens. 

History of the Rock Gardens

The Rock Gardens were built in the early 1920’s during the years of the depression following the First World War.  At that time Central Government were giving loans and grants to local authorities for schemes that would provide jobs for the many unemployed.  The area, originally covered with gorse, was prone to flooding and damage by the sea.  The construction of the promenade did much to prevent the problem of flooding but salt spray was still a consideration.

The site foreman had a large number of mainly unskilled men to start transforming the area.  Work commenced by setting out the area in an informal manner so that straight lines were avoided.  Large quantities of rock were imported directly from Cumberland and the huge boulders manhandled into position until the layout was eventually established.

Planting was introduced using mainly evergreen shrubs, herbaceous plants, alpines and a large number of annuals.  To help the plants survive and grow, wattle fencing was erected as a barrier to reduce the velocity of the coastal winds.

During the Second World War the entire coastline, including the Rock Gardens, was given a vast defensive barrier of large concrete blocks (one of these can still be seen today at the D-Day Memorial Garden near South Parade Pier).  Together with coils of barbed wire, these blocks were intended to prevent access by tanks or personnel landing on the beach.

By the time the War ended, the Rock Gardens were completely overgrown and the first area to be renovated in Southsea.  Rocks were lifted and replaced, changes were made to the design and the entire area replanted.  Specific areas were dedicated to alpines with a backdrop of marine tolerant evergreens.

In 1949, when the transformation was nearing completion, the Rock Gardens were flooded during one of the worst storms ever to hit Southsea. Fortunately the Fire Service pumped the area dry shortly afterwards, limiting damage, and the necessary replanting was relatively limited.

In the early 1950’s, lighting was installed including colour lights on the fountain.  Lighting tubes were also introduced to enhance the main shrub planting areas.  In recent years the paths have been reconstructed using natural stone and some low fencing has been installed to protect the banks from unwanted access.  Nowadays, the Rock Gardens are maintained by one full-time gardener for the enjoyment of the thousands of local and tourist visitors this area attracts every year.