History of Marine Cove
The History
The Great War between 1914 and 1918 would have bought a halt to the development of the town; however the immediate post war period was marked by a new optimism. Mr Braithwaite who eventually opened the Marine Cove demonstrated his relief at his sons survival by donating the foreshore paddling pool opposite Marine Cove.
Marine Cove was part of the Old Vicarage Estate until its sale in 1922 to a private company, Burnham-on-Sea Attractions Ltd for the sum of £650.00. The company thereby prevented the land from being developed for housing, and tried unsuccessfully to sell on the site to the Council. At a special meeting in Dec 1925, it was ‘unanimously decided to accept with thanks the offer of Marine Lawn by the Attractions Limited to be developed as a pleasure cove’.
At the same meeting the ‘Council proposed to advertise for competitive layout schemes from Landscape Gardeners and others with a view to spending not exceeding £2,500.00’.
In April 1926 the land was formally gifted to the Urban District Council. In the Burnham Gazette of June 1927, it records that En Tout Cas Company would be asked to submit a scheme, however it is clear that they had already done some work on excavating the sand to road level and the stone retaining features by this time. The Indenture for gifting the land was made on 21st April 1926.
The gardens were officially opened in 1927 by J B Braithwaite. It was a grand event with hundreds of people watching and lined the Esplanade to watch the parade.
Changes to the seafront occurred in the mid 1980s as the new sea wall defences were built. During 2003 to mark the 200th anniversary of Trafalgar, Marine Cove had new memorial gates installed.
Present Day
After 4 years of hard work including submitting the bid application to the Heritage Lottery Fund, obtaining support from the Friends of Marine Cove and the restoration last for 7 months. Marine Cove is now open to the public. It has seen the original design sympathetically restored.
- The pergola has been restored, the walling has seen restoration to the mortar joints using traditional lime mortaring.
- There is now a new sundial, this has been recreated as per the original, which is at the height to allow for the sun to catch the surface over the perimeter walling.
- The ponds have been relined and a now hosts some fish, with 2 new water features.
- The lions head pond is now functioning and a new cherub has been carved for the main pond.
We have volunteers registered who regular care and feed the fish, so would urge people not to over feed them.
There will be regular events, so please keep a look out via press and
also information board in the garden as well as on our website.
