Twenty years of renewal: How volunteers have transformed Scarborough's South Cliff Gardens

However as recent ‘blow-ins’, my wife and I had not realised that we are also hugely indebted to Friends of South Cliff Gardens for saving much of this heritage with their drive and determination over recent years. Congratulations!

They are now celebrating their 20th anniversary.

Of course they could not have done it without council support, significant lottery funding, consultants and excellent contractors.

However, in this anniversary year it is important to celebrate the Friends’ story.

When a small group of residents met on Scarborough’s Esplanade in 2006, the future of South Cliff Gardens looked uncertain.

The gardens were still beautiful, but years of neglect had taken their toll.

Paths had crumbled, even disappeared.

Historic shelters were dilapidated.

Planting had thinned, historic features were fading, and views to the sea were obscured by overgrowth.

From that meeting emerged the Friends of South Cliff Gardens – a volunteer group with a clear ambition: to restore, protect and promote one of the town’s most cherished landscapes.

What followed over the next two decades was a story of persistence, partnership and community effort on a remarkable scale.

From the outset, the Friends set out a broad but focused mission.

They aimed to enhance the gardens’ natural environment, safeguard their heritage, improve facilities and encourage wider public use.

They also committed to organising events, raising funds and working alongside the council as an informed and constructive voice.

In 2007, the group organised a Funday that brought residents back into the gardens.

With stalls, music and games – and an official opening by the Mayor – it signalled a renewed sense of civic pride.

Momentum continued in 2008 with “Sounds from South Cliff”, a free outdoor concert that attracted large crowds.

That same year, the group secured its first major funding success: a £9,950 grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

This supported the creation of a wildlife garden in St Martin’s Square, turning an underused space into a haven for birds and native planting.

By 2009, improvements in St Martin’s Square were complete, celebrated with a community barbecue.

The event reflected a growing sense that the gardens could once again become a focal point for local life.

Restoration work gathered pace in the years that followed. In 2010, attention turned to the Shuttleworth Miniature Garden, which was carefully restored with council support.

A new handcrafted viewing feature added both charm and durability, drawing admiration from visitors of all ages.

However, the scale of the challenge soon became clear.

Larger ambitions required larger funding – and patience. In 2012, the borough council backed a bold proposal to pursue a £5m Heritage Lottery Fund bid, marking a significant step up in ambition.

Smaller projects continued alongside this longer-term effort.

The Prince of Wales Gardens rockery was renewed in 2013, followed by a £50,000 restoration of the Rose Garden.

By 2015, the roses were blooming once more, restoring a key feature of the landscape.

At the same time a major cliff stabilisation scheme began in the Spa Gardens, ensuring the long-term security of the site.

That same year saw the return of the Prince of Wales Garden fountain, bringing movement and sound back to a feature that had stood silent for years.

A major breakthrough came in 2017 with a £350,000 development grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

This enabled detailed planning for a full restoration scheme.

Community fundraising efforts intensified, raising more than £105,000 in support.

The defining moment arrived in 2019, when a further £4.66m was awarded towards the project.

It was the culmination of years of work by volunteers, council officers and supporters – a monumental achievement that should be recognised and celebrated.

The resulting £7.2m restoration transformed the gardens.

Paths were resurfaced, historic structures repaired and planting schemes revitalised.

New facilities – including a children’s play area, toilets, a community room and improved access – were added, ensuring the gardens could meet modern needs while retaining their historic character.

Remember that much of this work was completed during Covid with all the restrictions and supply problems that that entailed.

The gardens officially reopened in 2023.

Visitors returned to a landscape that felt both renewed and familiar.

Flowerbeds framed restored stonework, views to the sea were reopened, and the site once again became a place to walk, gather and reflect.

Now, as the Friends of South Cliff Gardens mark their 20th anniversary in 2026, the scale of what has been achieved is clear.

What began as a small volunteer effort has helped secure millions of pounds in investment and deliver a transformation of lasting value.

Just as importantly, it has demonstrated the power of collaboration between community groups and local authorities.

Today, the gardens are thriving.

Visitor numbers are growing, events continue to bring people together, and the site is once again a source of pride for Scarborough.

Two decades on, South Cliff Gardens stand not only as a restored historic landscape, but as a testament to what sustained community effort can achieve.

The Friends continue to support the parks staff as volunteer gardeners and are always keen to welcome new recruits each Wednesday at 10am at Beeforth’s Hive.

Visit https://friendsofsouthcliffgardens.com for more.