Parks and gardens
Parks and Gardens
Admire the colourful displays of flowers, watch a band play in the park, sit quietly by the river, play safely with your children, walk in the shade of a magnificent avenue of limes, discover secret wildlife in the towns or play a game of tennis. These are just some of the activities you can do in Canterbury City Council's parks and open spaces. Take a look at our open spaces strategy to see what is going on in the district.
The main parks managed by the Canterbury City Council are:
- Dane John Gardens
- Westgate Gardens
- Whitstable Castle
- Memorial Park, Herne Bay
- Herne Bay seafront
- Riverside walk
Dane John Gardens, Canterbury's lovely city park.
Brief history
A historic park within Canterbury city's walls which dates back to 1551, and includes a mound which historical records prove was there in the first century AD. In 1790, local dignitary Alderman James Simmons laid out the park into formal gardens. In 1999, Canterbury City Council completed a million pound renovation of the park supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and local sponsorship.
The City Walls and an avenue of lime trees provide a sense of enclosure and escape from the busy road and bustling shopping centre just a few yards away. There are excellent views over the city and towards the countryside from the top of the mound.
There's a safe play area for children, a newly built bandstand as a venue for traditional concerts throughout the summer and a fountain which provides a focus for the shaded walk along the avenue of lime trees.
Westgate gardens
The Westgate Gardens can be found close to the city centre, just next to the West Gate Tower. The eleven acres of public gardens provide an ideal setting for a gentle stroll along the banks of the River Stour, while the less energetic can sit back, unwind and absorb the tranquil beauty of the garden and its wildlife. The meandering river provides the perfect environment for swans, ducks and moorhens to settle and raise their young. In the summer, the garden provides an ideal setting for open air events, exhibitions or as a picnic area.
Brief history
In 1886, Stephen Williamson, a prominent Canterbury businessman and owner of the tannery, bought Tower House. Two ornate Victorian wings were added 1870 but taken down to provide a suitable setting for the riverside walk and pleasure gardens. He and his family lived there happily from 1886 until 1935 and cultivated the gardens into what you see today.
In 1936, his grandson Stephen Williamson and his wife, Catherine Ellise Williamson, gave the house and gardens to the city corporation. During this time, Catherine was a city councillor and was responsible for the redevelopment of the house and gardens in conjunction with the city architect. Catherine Williamson subsequently became Canterbury's first woman mayor and served for two years from 1938 to 1940. The deed which preserves the site as a public space and garden for the benefit of Canterbury's residents is still upheld by the present day council.
What to see
- Tower House is today used as the administrative office for the Lord Mayor of Canterbury and is not open to the general public. It is built round one of the bastions situated around the city walls and is built out of fourteenth century reconstructed flint on Roman foundations.
- The 200 year old and 25 foot wide, Oriental Plane (Platanus Orientals), is rumoured to contain a circular iron seat which used to stand around it. Other plants worth looking out for are the Copper Beeches amid the Magnolia Stellata.
- The Norman archway and other medieval ruins probably taken by the Victorians form St Augustine's Abbey and used as grand garden ornaments can still be seen today.
- The war memorials of the Burma Star Association and the Italy Star Association.
- The site of the foundations of the London Gate of the Roman City of Canterbury. (Durovernum Cantiacorum)Beside the River Stour and the Westgate Tower in Canterbury these formal gardens have spectacular displays of flowers throughout the year. This site has been a public space since the Middles Ages, although late Iron Age and early Roman pottery has been found on the site.
We Need Your Views!
Find out more about proposals to improve the Westgate Gardens and Toddlers Cove and share your views by completing an online questionnaire. Complete your questionnaire by the 9th July and you could win £100 Love2Shop vouchers! These are valid in many high street stores.
Westgate Gardens and Toddlers Cove Improvements Consultation
Whitstable Castle
Situated on a hill overlooking Whitstable harbour, the castle grounds have attractive displays of flowers and shrubs. Whitstable Bowls Club uses the greens at the Castle. It's also the venue for the Whitstable May Day Celebrations held on the Bank Holiday Monday.
Find out information on the Lottery bid and planned improvements to the castle.
For more information please phone Anthony Dance on 01227 2488 or email at Anthony.dance@canterbury.gov.uk
Memorial Park, Herne Bay
This park was laid out in the 1920s as a memorial to the First World War. An obelisk displays a formal memorial at the end of an avenue of horse chestnut trees. There is a small lake, a children's play area, tennis and basketball courts and cricket and football pitches.
Canterbury City Council is currently planning and preparing a major makeover for the Park.
Find out more about the Park's regeneration.
The Park also makes a significant contribution to the "In Bloom" campaign. Find out more about Herne Bay in Bloom.
Herne Bay seafront
Brief history
The present town was founded in the early nineteen hundreds by London speculators who noting the unspoilt charm of the Bay planned a new resort to be named St Augustine's.However, the name did not catch on and it continued to be known as Herne Bay after the nearby village. It was during this period that a wealthy London lady gave the town its distinctive 80ft Clock Tower.
The first pier was erected in 1832 and by 1834 steamboats were using it to land over 40,000 visitors each year to the resort. What had once been the haunt of smugglers, had grown into a fashionable Victorian resort with all the attendant features of bathing machines and assembly rooms.
Redesigned in 1990 as part of strengthening of sea defences, these gardens feature exciting modern sculptures among floral displays and a children's play area.
Find out more about further developments for the Seafront.
Riverside walk
A network of paths and small gardens along the River Stour in Canterbury provide an attractive walk into and through the City. Features along the walk include the sculptures by the Causeway made from trees blown down in the great storm of 1998, a wildflower meadow at Greyfriars garden, and a series of historic water mills.
Find out more information about Outdoor Leisure's projects.
If you would like to report any problems with any of the parks please contact Serco on free phone 0800 031 9091.
Find out more about events in parks and open spaces.
Return to Parks, Gardens and Allotments.
For more information on the management of any of these parks or if you are interested in becoming a 'Friend' of any of the sites please contact
Richard Griffiths 01227 862 001 or email Richard.griffiths@canterbury.gov.uk
