Look at Jubilee Gardens Blackpool

Jubilee Gardens Blackpool is the sunken gardens which you pass on the seafront, heading north past Gynn roundabout.

We went to take a look around – come and explore with us!

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Look Around Jubilee Gardens Blackpool

It’s a lovely spot to sit awhile. It’s slightly sheltered from the seafront breeze as the gardens are slightly sunken from the level of the footpath.

The whole garden is about four or five feet lower than the height of the surrounding promenade. Surrounded by a tamarisk hedge it’s surprisingly less breezy than the prom!

Did you know? There’s another Jubilee Gardens, nearby at Cleveleys? That’s also right on the seafront too.

At the south end of the garden is the entrance archway, proclaiming the name of the park. It’s close to Gynn roundabout and not far from the public toilets. The Blue Light Emergency Services Memorial is also here. Carry on reading to find out more about it.

A winding footpath meanders through the centre, surrounded by lawns and borders. There’s plenty of benches for you to sit awhile and enjoy the sunshine, peace and the view.

At the north end is the impressive ornamental waterfall and small pond. Stand here and enjoy the view, looking over The Cliffs to North Pier!

Cliff Top Walk

This seafront park near to Gynn roundabout is also adjacent to the amazing view from The Cliffs. It’s not quite the White Cliffs of Dover, but it is the highest part of the seafront on the Fylde Coast. (Not counting the top of The Tower, of course!)

When you’ve explored the gardens, why don’t you take a walk along Blackpool north seafront, and take in the view. Visit later in the day for the amazing sunsets!

Come for a walk with us in the next video –

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History of Jubilee Gardens

Jubilee Gardens has had a few different names over its 100 year history. First called ‘North Shore Gardens’ it was first opened to the public in 1914.

The initial design featured three large lawned terraces, interconnected by elegant steps and ornate pillars. Waterworn limestone boulders surrounding the gardens provided protection from the harsh weather.

Redesigns and renaming

• In 1928 the first complete redesign happened, and the waterfall was built. Internally illuminated it was built in fibreglass. Complete with a meandering stream running the length of the gardens. You can just make it out in the above photo.
  
  Newly laid out flower beds flowed throughout, planted with colourful coastal planting.

• Next, in 1977, it’s renamed Jubilee Gardens to commemorate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. And that’s what we still know it as today.

• The next change was in 1992. The waterfall was redesigned and the current incarnation of it constructed.

• And in the early 2000’s the meandering stream was removed and turfed over.

• The next big change is in 2016 when the Friends of Jubilee Gardens formed. They’ve not made any structural changes, but have certainly transformed the look of the garden!

Friends of Jubilee Gardens

Blackpool Council own the seafront park, it’s one of a number of open spaces in the town.

But in May 2016 the Friends of Jubilee Gardens formed to look after the gardens. They’re a group of like minded individuals who are passionate about looking after this popular open space. 

In their few years, the Friends have made an enormous difference at Jubilee Gardens Blackpool. They’ve cleared overgrown beds, planted up new areas, restored the waterfall and so much more. This is how the gardens looked in 2014 –

And this photo was taken in 2017. Just a year after the group began working in the area. What a transformation!

Here’s the view through the main entrance gates, taken when the Friends Group was just starting out in 2016 –

The entrance archway was repainted in autumn 2019, and this is the same view in 2020. What a difference!

See how lovely the waterfall looks, lit up at night!

In 2017 the Friends were recipients of Tesco Bags of Help. The funding was used to buy shrubs and plants which volunteers planted in the flower beds. Bit by bit the gardens are being restored to their former glory, for the enjoyment of the community and visitors.

How YOU can help the Friends of Jubilee Gardens

There are lots of ways that you can support the amazing work that’s going on in the gardens. It takes a lot of time and effort to keep the place looking so good.

But it’s very rewarding, great exercise and a good way to make friends too. Any amount of spare time that you can donate will be greatly appreciated.

If you’re a visitor to the gardens, please help the Friends by putting your own litter in a bin, and picking up any that you see.

Help is ALWAYS need help with –

• Weeding
• Hoeing
• Clearing
• Planting
• Pruning
• Sweeping
• Bench and Handrail Painting
• Litter Picking

• Keep up with the Friends of Jubilee Gardens on their Facebook page

Blue Light Emergency Services Memorial

The Blue Light Emergency Services Memorial pays tribute to the police, fire, ambulance and coastguard services. Find it at the south end of Jubilee Gardens, near to Gynn roundabout.

It remembers the lives of three Blackpool officers who drowned during a tragic, attempted sea rescue. And it honours all “unsung heroes” killed while doing their jobs.

Drowning of Three Police Officers in 1983

PCs Colin Morrison 38, Gordon Connolly 24 and Angela Bradley 23 drowned while trying to save a tourist, Alistair Anthony. He’d gone into the Irish Sea in order to rescue his pet Jack Russell dog Henry, on January 5, 1983.

Only minutes before their 2pm shifts were due to end, PCs Bradley and Connolly were among the first to the scene. They tried to rescue Mr Anthony with a promenade lifebelt but were swept away by the sea. Next, road traffic officer PC Morrison, 38, stopped his car and joined the rescue attempt. The gales and heavy waves proving too much for him too. In fact it was so bad that it took the Fleetwood lifeboat three hours to get there. Even then it could only get within 223ft (68m) of where they were last seen.

PC Pat Abram was the fourth officer who went into the sea, to be thrown against the wall and back out again. Despite that, he went back in a second time. He was very lucky to be rescued by colleagues who managed to throw a rope around his neck and pull him out. Coincidentally a doctor, also a cave rescue expert, was walking by and saved his life. After mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the promenade he thankfully survived. PC Martin Hewitson, a fifth officer, was the only one who got out of the sea unaided.

The 25-year-old tourist was on a trip to the resort from Glasgow but also tragically perished. To this day it remains the greatest loss of police life to Lancashire officers.

After the tragedy the horror continues

A few days later, the tide and north shore drift carried the body of Henry, the dog who started it all, to wash up at Fleetwood. Angela Bradley’s warrant card and tie, some police trousers and a truncheon also washed up on the beach.

The police helicopter located the body of Alistair Anthony, the dog walker, on a sandbank of the River Wyre on Friday 14 January 1984. Then PC Gordon Connolly’s body was found in Fleetwood Docks on 27 January. Sadly PCs Angela Bradley and Colin Morrison were never found.

The tragedy made a mark on the people of Blackpool which lasts to this day. The Mayor of Blackpool launched an appeal fund soon afterwards which raised over £70,000. The legendary Bobby Charlton even played in a charity football game for Manchester United against Wigan.

Creating a fitting tribute

The Blue Light Emergency Services Memorial was erected in Jubilee Gardens in 2013. See it on the promenade off Gynn Square. It’s both in tribute of this awful event and to mark the bravery of all our emergency services.

Dana Gledhill, senior prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service, worked hard for three years to fundraise and put the memorial in place. She grew up near the spot of the 1983 tragedy on Blackpool’s seafront and wanted to mark it forever.

The 8ft sculpture of four figures holding hands is the work of Matt Titherington. He won the competition as a student at Blackpool & The Fylde College.

There’s also an original memorial plaque at the southern (Gynn roundabout) entrance to Jubilee Gardens. Look out for it when you visit the seafront garden at Blackpool North shore.

It’s an enduring marker of the three officers whose lives were lost.

While you’re here…

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