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Cremorne Gardens

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Venue Type & Location

Pleasure Gardens

Overview

  • Address: Chelsea. More specifically, Diana Howard suggests that the Gardens occupied “12 acres west of Battersea Bridge between King’s Road and the river” (57). For a current map, Click Here. For an historical map showing the venue (in addition to the one excerpted at right), Click Here.

  • Audience Composition: A great deal has been written about the frequenters of Cremorne, much of it somewhat contradictory. In 1879, Charles Dickens described Cremorne as “a sort of vulgar Vauxhall”, and claimed that the “patronage of royalty was never extended to it. […] [T]he gardens had to depend solely upon the support of ordinary people” (467). Edmund Yates, on the other hand, suggested that visitors to the Gardens were “of all classes, ranging from old women and children who come for an early tea and a stroll in the grounds […] down to gentlemanly gentlemen who eat suppers and are far too grand to express their desire to see anything at all” (Business of Pleasure 14). Warwick Wroth provided still another view in 1907, suggesting that Cremorne “was not, for one thing, a place that ladies (in the strict sense of the word) were in the habit of visiting, unless, perhaps (as Mr. Sala puts it) 'in disguise and on the sly', or, at any rate, under the safe conduct of a husband or brother. Ladies of some sort were, no doubt, considerably in evidence there, though we are not to think of Cremorne as so entirely given over to 'drink, dancing and devilry' as its sterner critics declared. If it was a place for the man about town, it also attracted a number of worthy citizens who went there for an evening's pleasure with their wives and daughters and were 'not particular'” (reproduced in The Victorian Dictionary Online). Given all of these descriptions, it seems safe to say that the Gardens’ patrons constituted, as Edward Walford put it, “a motley crowd of pleasureseekers” (reproduced at British History Online).

  • Performance Space Description: Images and descriptions of Cremorne suggest that it was a large outdoor expanse wherein lit, tree-lined paths encircled a number of entertainment complexes (such as a Marionette Theatre, a dancing platform, and a fireworks ‘temple’.) Wroth, for instance, writes that “the grounds were well lit, but on entering there was not that sudden blaze of light that was the visitors great sensation when he came through the dark pay-entrance into the garden of Vauxhall. The most conspicuous feature was the orchestra to the south-west of the gardens - a 'monster pagoda', brilliantly lighted with hundreds of coloured lamps, and surrounded by a circular platform, prepared, it is said, to accommodate 4,000 dancers.” (reproduced in the Victorian Dictionary Online.) Descriptions of the Gardens are generally complimentary, and in The Business of Pleasure, Yates in fact dubs Cremorne “the prettiest and best-managed public night-garden in Europe” (17).

  • Typical Fare: By and large, entertainments at Cremorne seem to have been patterned after the variety bills previously established at Vauxhall. On any given evening, spectators might partake of a number of attractions, such as balloon ascents, fireworks displays, tightrope walkers, instrumental concerts, comic singers, farces, burlettas, or ballets. According to Dickens, “[t]he Thames, too, was pressed into the service of the gardens, and naval fetes, in which the river steamboats took part, were occasionally given (468). Open-air dancing was also a popular feature of the entertainments at Cremorne.

    • Performance History

  • In the early 19th Century, the site which would become Cremorne Gardens was occupied by the surburban residence of Thomas Dawson, Lord Cremorne.

  • Following Dawson’s death, the property changed hands a few times, before being opened to the public as a stadium by the Baron de Beaufair (also called the Baron de Beringer in some sources) in the 1830s.

  • Dickens notes that in the years shortly after its opening as a stadium, the property “gradually acquired more and more the character of a pleasure-garden” (467). In 1845, he says, Cremorne first offered “a regular season of Vauxhall entertainments” (467-8). It remained a relatively popular pleasure garden until 1877.

  • Cremorne’s demise has often been attributed to the development of the neighbourhood surrounding it. Following the 1877 season, the Gardens’ were largely built over. The Lot’s Road power station now occupies much of the site, though a small picnic area remains. The Chelsea Council also restored one of the original, wrought iron entry gates in 1981 (see photo above).

    Please see the 'Bibliographic Sources' link at right for a complete listing of materials (both primary and secondary) from which the above information was compiled.

    The Howard and Senelick et al texts (cited at right) also contain listings of relevant contemporary and historical sources pertaining to this venue.

    Beth Marquis

    • Troupes at Cremorne Gardens

    Film Affiliated people Film Type # of event(s)
    Allen, S (Bosjesmen Lecturer) Lecture Definite Allen, S (Bosjesmen Lecturer)
    Barlow, W.R. Barlow, W.R. Minstrel Definite Barlow, W.R.
    Bateman, W. Minstrel Definite Bateman, W.
    Bosjesmans Exhibition Definite Bosjesmans
    Ceda (1848) Ceda, William Minstrel Definite Ceda (1848)
    Cowell, Sam Vocal Entertainment Definite Cowell, Sam
    Ethiopian Serenaders (1851) Pell, Gilbert W. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Ethiopian Serenaders (1851) Ledger, B. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Ethiopian Serenaders (1851) Barlow, W.R. Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Ethiopian Serenaders (1851) De Brenner, Minstrel Definite Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Female American Serenaders Rosa, Minstrel Definite Female American Serenaders
    Female American Serenaders Woski, Minstrel Definite Female American Serenaders
    Female American Serenaders Womba, Minstrel Definite Female American Serenaders
    Female American Serenaders Cora, Minstrel Definite Female American Serenaders
    Female American Serenaders Miami, Minstrel Definite Female American Serenaders
    Female American Serenaders Jumba, Minstrel Definite Female American Serenaders
    Female American Serenaders Hodson, G.A. Minstrel Definite Female American Serenaders
    Female American Serenaders Yarico, Minstrel Definite Female American Serenaders
    Kaffir Chiefs Exhibition Possible Kaffir Chiefs
    Redmond, Juba Dancer Minstrel Definite Redmond, Juba Dancer
    Risley, J.T. Minstrel Definite Risley, J.T.
    Virginian Harmonists (1848) Minstrel Definite Virginian Harmonists (1848)

    Events at Cremorne Gardens

    Event Date Venue Location Film
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Risley, J.T.
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bosjesmans
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ceda (1848)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Virginian Harmonists (1848)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bosjesmans
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bosjesmans
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Female American Serenaders
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Virginian Harmonists (1848)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Virginian Harmonists (1848)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ceda (1848)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Kaffir Chiefs
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Kaffir Chiefs
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Kaffir Chiefs
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bateman, W.
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Barlow, W.R.
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Barlow, W.R.
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bosjesmans
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bosjesmans
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Barlow, W.R.
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Barlow, W.R.
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Barlow, W.R.
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Barlow, W.R.
    Concert - London, London (city-county) Barlow, W.R.
    Exhibition - London, London (city-county) Bosjesmans
    Exhibition - London, London (city-county) Allen, S (Bosjesmen Lecturer)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bosjesmans
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bosjesmans
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bosjesmans
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bosjesmans
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bosjesmans
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Redmond, Juba Dancer
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bosjesmans
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bosjesmans
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bosjesmans
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bosjesmans
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Ethiopian Serenaders (1851)
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bosjesmans
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Cowell, Sam
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Barlow, W.R.
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bosjesmans
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bosjesmans
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bateman, W.
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bateman, W.
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bateman, W.
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Bateman, W.
    Variety - London, London (city-county) Barlow, W.R.

    Bibliographic Sources

    View a list of abbreviations.

    • London: Adam and Charles Black, 1863
    • London: H.G. Clarke & Co., 1851
      pp258-259.
    • London: H.G. Clarke & Co., 1851
      p66.
    • Era (London) June 15, 1851: 11:2.
    • London: Cassell Illustrated, 2005
    • London: G. Routledge, 1879
    • Chapter 8
    • Hamden, Connecticut: Archon Books, 1981
    • London: Messrs. Chapman & Hall, 1879 All the Year Round. A Weekly Journal Vol. XXII (December 1878-June 1879):
    • Puppet Show no. 54; March 17, 1849: box titled "Close of the Public Gardens".
      A general piece pertaining to entertainments at “The Pleasure Gardens”:
        Performance Type Indicated:
        • Variety, though article doesn’t pertain specifically to a given event
        Troupe Name as Given:
        • not listed
        Troupe Size Given:
        • not listed
      Performers Listed:
      • none
      Days & Times Given:
      • none – doesn’t pertain to a specific event
      Other Acts on Bill Listed:
      • "Laurent"
      Other Info in Record:
      • other (venue season)
  • (Under Entertainment - Gardens & Spas - Cremorne Gardens)
  • London: The Library Association, 1970
  • Theatrical Journal (London) April 10, 1847: 115:1-2.
  • Evanion Collection, British Library Evan.504:
  • Theatrical Journal (London) June 2, 1852: 171:1-172:1.
  • Theatrical Journal (London) May 8, 1851: 149:2.
  • Bell’s Life in London June 27, 1847: 2:1.