Lady Herbert's Garden
| Lady Herbert's Garden | |
|---|---|
 Swanswell Gate stands at the edge of Lady Herbert's Garden. | |
 | |
| Type | Ornamental |
| Location | Coventry, United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 52°24′38″N 1°30′27″W / 52.41068°N 1.507471°W |
| Opened | 12 April 1931 |
| Owned by | Coventry City Council |
Lady Herbert's Garden is a garden in Coventry city centre, named as a memorial to Alfred Herbert's second wife Florence.[1] Construction and initial laying out began in 1930 and the last section was completed in 1939.[2] It is built around several sections of the remains of Coventry city walls, including Swanswell and Cook Street Gates, and bordered by Chantry Place.[2] The site was the former Chantry Orchard. Between 1816 and 1930, the area had become a slum, before being cleared to create the gardens.[3]
History
The gardens were designed by Albert Herbert, cousin of the industrialist and commissioner of them Alfred Herbert.[4] The east garden was opened to the public on 12 April 1931[4] and a west garden was added from 1935 to 1938.[4] From 1930 to 1947 the gardens were overseen by Miss Denision, who was succeeded by Miss Hoffa who left in 1956.[4] Following Herbert's death in 1957 the trustees faced financial difficulties and in 1974, ownership was transferred to Coventry City Council.[4]
Lady Herbert's homes
Commonly known as Lady Herbert's homes, these two blocks of almshouses were built in 1935 and 1937.[2] They were both damaged during the Coventry Blitz and were rebuilt.[2] The homes are currently managed by a charitable trust.[5]
References
- ^ Orland, Rob. "Lady Herbert's Garden & City Wall". Historic Coventry. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Lady Herbert's Garden Conservation Area". Coventry Walks. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
- ^ "The City of Coventry: List of streets A History of the County of Warwick: Volume 8, the City of Coventry and Borough of Warwick". British History Online. Victoria County History, 1969. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Lady Herbert's Garden, Coventry, England". Parks and Gardens UK. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
- ^ "232066 - Lady Herbert's Homes". Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 3 April 2023.