Gardens for entertainment Vauxhall Gardens in the late 1740s had
many delights. The gardens were situated just east of Vauxhall
Bridge. They were first laid out around 1661 and were known as
New Spring Gardens. However, it wasn't until 1732 when Jonathan
Tyers took charge that the park became an elegant 'pleasure
garden' where 'polite' society would meet. The place to be seen
Tyers transformed the gardens. He added a music room, Chinese
pavilion, gothic orchestra stand and numerous arches and
temples. The many statues included one of the composer Handel,
who often performed there. Tyers put in grand avenues where the
fashionable could promenade. There were over one hundred supper
boxes, each painted with a mural, where dinner could be served.
Many extravaganzas were performed at Vauxhall Gardens. These
included a rehearsal of Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks
in 1749. The gardens provided entertainment until the mid-19th
century, when they went into a gradual decline. Museum number
53.52/5