Devonshire Road Rock Gardens

The gardens, established in the early 1900s and opened to the public in 1925, offer stunning views, a charming Italian-style pavilion, and rock pools adorned with waterfalls. Open daily from dawn to dusk throughout the year, the park has long been a feature of the local area. However, over the years, the gardens fell into neglect, suffered vandalism, and saw declining use by the community. In 2002, the Friends of the Rock Gardens group was formed with the aim of restoring the park’s amenities and improving access for residents. Thanks to their efforts, the gardens have become a popular spot once again, often used for wedding photography.

The Friends group has organised various fundraising events, including an Easter Extravaganza and a Teddy Bears’ Picnic Fun Day. The inaugural event on 31 July 2007 drew approximately 300 attendees, with Blackpool’s Mayor, Robert Wynne, and local MP Joan Humble as Guests of Honour. Collecting the information and images for this history, shared on Blackpool Timeline, was made possible with the help of Janice and Fatima. In May 2006, a £20,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund enabled significant restoration work, including the creation of an educational woodland walk and a butterfly habitat. Local schools now use the gardens for outdoor learning activities, such as pond studies and mini-beast hunts, while the Lancashire Wildlife Trust monitors the rare white-letter hairstreak butterfly, which resides in the gardens. The Woodland Walk features storytelling areas, accessible winding paths, a sculpture display, and mosaics.

In November 2007, contractors began a £57,000 project to completely re-lay the garden paths, funded by Blackpool Borough Council, the local area forum, local businesses, and a £39,000 grant from The Veolia Environmental Trust via the Landfill Communities Fund. The new paths are designed to be accessible to all and include a “hilly” landscaped section for runners seeking a challenge, alongside grassed paths for leisurely walks.