Bournemouth Gardens was vegetation and marshland until the end of the 19th Century, but the owners started to develop the land in 1840. The land did not become public until 1859, when it was used a pleasure ground and the designs began for three different gardens; Lower, Central and Upper.

The owners hosted a competition in 1971 for the public to submit designs for the lower garden. The winner was Mr Philip Henry Tree, who’s design featured new walk-ways, plantations and vegetation. His design, along with the owners rock ornament and waterfall design, was constructed in the lower garden, next to the Pavilion Theatre.

The central garden looks the same today as when it was first created. The trees and shrubbery date back to the 1870’s and little changes have been made since. Other than the war memorial built in 1922.

The upper garden caused the most issues during its construction. The drainage system caused lots of flooding across the garden, which was eventually solved by using broken pottery from the local clay studio as drainage material. The garden itself consisted of tennis courts and changing houses, until it was refurbished in 1903. The tennis courts were moved and the garden was upgraded with new plantations, walk-ways and benches and seating areas.