Opened in 1845 Cremorne Gardens offered Londoners a dazzling escape. These pleasure gardens flourished beside the River Thames in Chelsea. Imagine noisy colorful gardens alive with concerts and dancing. Fireworks lit up the night sky. People promenaded and dined in restaurants.
Thomas Bartlett Simpson saw Cremorne Gardens’ potential. He owned the North & South American Coffee House. Simpson sublet the property to James Ellis. Ellis transformed the site into Cremorne Gardens.
Balloon ascents became a signature attraction. An advertisement from 1845 read: “Balloon by Moonlight. Mr. H. Green will make an ASCENT at Ten o’clock at night… amidst blushes of scarlet fire.” Fete, fun, and fireworks promised a night of spectacle.
Ellis invested heavily. However, he went bankrupt. Simpson took over in 1846 spending 5,000 pounds to improve Cremorne Gardens. A banqueting hall and theatre were built. Lavender bowers provided secluded spots for visitors.
The grand entrance faced King’s Road. A huge star illuminated the pay-box. A guidebook described the orchestra as a “monster pagoda” brilliantly lit. The pagoda was surrounded by a platform. It could accommodate 4,000 dancers.
Phoebus Levin’s painting captured a typical summer evening. Respectable families mingled with those of less certain reputation. The painting shows the pagoda orchestra and supper boxes for diners.
Cremorne Gardens boasted ample amenities. Side shows and shooting galleries entertained. Ancient trees lined the walkways. Fountains and statues added to the charm. Refreshment bars and tables dotted the grounds. The Cremorne House Hotel offered dining. An American bowling saloon appeared in the late 1840s. There was a maze and a gipsy’s tent.
Reasonably priced tickets contributed to Cremorne Gardens’ success. Admission cost a shilling. Season tickets ranged from one to two guineas. Easy access was another advantage. Patrons arrived by hackney or omnibus from Charing Cross. A three-penny steamer provided river access.
Newspaper ads promoted promenade without charge. Visitors had to buy a refreshment card for sixpence. The gardens opened on Sunday afternoons. They were deemed “most eligible” for club dinners. Gala nights occurred on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Admission was a shilling for adults and half-price for children. Tuesdays and Thursdays offered a mere sixpence entry.
A “Grand Public Breakfast” occurred in July 1846. It was entitled “Ranelagh Revived; or, One Hundred Years Ago.” The orchestra included over a hundred artistes.
Eccentric entertainments followed a couple weeks later. A “Souper et Bal Costume” invited attendees to dress in Ranelagh-era attire. Masks of clowns and harlequins were forbidden.
George Augustus Sala compared Cremorne Gardens to Vauxhall. He noted Cremorne’s magnificent trees and well-kept lawns. He described daughters of Mr. Simpson with their work-baskets.
The weather sometimes posed challenges. The summer of 1860 had only 50 nights suitable for late-night outdoor enjoyment. Simpson provided alternative indoor amusements. The Stereorama offered theatrical scenes. A collection of ferns added another attraction.
Despite amusements, complaints arose. Some Chelsea residents felt Cremorne catered more to metropolitan visitors. Others protested the traffic and noise. Critics complained about disturbances to “Chelsea slumberers.”
Edward Tyrrell Smith took over in 1861. He offered a “startling novelty”. A female Blondin attempted to cross the Thames on a high wire. She got two-thirds of the way before descending safely by rope.
Carlo Valeiro, a wire walker, died in an accident in 1863. The wire slackened. He fell violently to the ground. The incident sparked controversy. Critics questioned the safety of such acts.
A clever marketing scheme involved colorfully printed programs. Cut-out portions revealed views of Cremorne. One page showed the long walk to the fountain. Another showed a supper-table.
A tournament in 1863 featured medieval-style jousting. Knights competed. Bands of music and jesters enlivened the event.
Cremorne Gardens never achieved the fashionable status of Vauxhall. It attracted a less desirable clientele. Critics described increasing “rowdy and wanton” behavior. Reports of frequent police action became common.
Critics filed annual petitions against Cremorne’s license. They cited late hours and immoral behavior. Local homeowners complained about reduced property values.
John Baum leased the gardens in 1870. He filed a libel case against a minister who called Cremorne a “nursery of every kind of vice.” Baum won but received only a farthing in damages. He withdrew his license application. Cremorne Gardens closed on 5 October 1877.