Town Hall Gardens, Chatham, Rochester, England
Record Id: 3285
Site is open to the public. Opening may be limited, please check Visitor Information for any restrictions.
Brief description of site
Town Hall Gardens are 19th-century public gardens in the town centre. The site was previously used as the cemetery for St Mary's church. Elements of the early C20 design, which was conventional, probably survive in the tree planting, as do a number of early C19 trees which contribute to the aesthetic of the Gardens by reflecting, with the headstones, their earlier use as a burial ground.
Brief history of site
The site, formerly the Rope Works, was developed as a burial ground and opened in May 1828 when the existing churchyard at St Mary’s in Dock Road became overcrowded. Burials continued until 1870 when a new cemetery opened in Maidstone Road. Following the erection of the Town Hall (adjacent to Rope Walk in central Chatham) in 1900, the closed burial ground was considered for use as open space. The minute book for the Highway and Works Committee records on 14 January 1905 the name was changed from the Old Burial Ground to Town Hall Gardens; they were formally opened on 14 June 1905.
Location information:
Address: Whiffens Avenue, Chatham, ME7 5SQ
Locality: Rochester
Local Authorities:
Medway
Historical County: Kent
OS Landranger Map Sheet Number: | 178 | Grid Ref: | TQ760681 |
---|---|---|---|
Latitude: | 51.3847 | Longitude: | 0.527897 |
Visitor facilities
Opening contact details:
This is a municipal site for general public use.
Key information:
Form of site: public park
Purpose of site: urban park
Context or principal building: parks, gardens and urban spaces
Site first created: 1828 to 1905
Main period of development: Late 19th century
Survival: Extant