Since 2021, the gardens have been undergoing a major renovation following a grant of £4,665,700 being provided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund.
The extensive renovations include “a fully accessible path on the Victorian Cliff running through the gardens, which has been affectionately named ‘The Yellow Brick Road’ because it's a yellow pathway through”, according to Gemma Alexander, South Cliff Gardens Engagement Officer.
They also include a new play area, general refurbishment to signs, railings and footpaths, and repairs and renovations to 13 of the historic shelters. The grade two listed clock tower situated on Esplanade Crescent, at the top of the gardens, has also been repaired and restored.
5. South Cliff Gardens
The community hub has been named after the Lord George Beeforth, who created the rose garden in South Cliff. The Hive will have the dual function of providing a base for South Cliff Garden’s dedicated gardening team and offering a unique community space for workshops, events and activities to run from. Photo: Richard Ponter
6. South Cliff Gardens
Gemma Alexander, Scarborough Borough Council's community engagement officer, has been hands on with the renovation project. Photo: Richard Ponter
7. South Cliff Gardens
The renovation project aims to preserve the gardens’ unique heritage and improve them in a way that will reconnect them with today’s residents and visitors, in the same way that the original gardens did more than one hundred years ago. Photo: Richard Ponter
8. South Cliff Gardens
As part of the renovations, the historic ‘secret’ tunnel underneath the Scarborough Spa Cliff Lift has been reopened, connecting both sides of the gardens again. Photo: Richard Ponter