Swiss Gardens Primary School

The “Swiss Gardens” were opened in 1838, the year of Queen Victoria’s coronation, by a local shipbuilder James Britton Bailey. The Gardens quickly became popular with local people who would frequently gather there for a dinner or luncheon to mark or celebrate some important event. On such occasions it became usual to round off a day of festivities with a “gala-ball” in the magnificent ballroom which the Gardens boasted. Henry Cheal, a local historian, considered that the ballroom, which had a floor area of over eight thousand square feet, was probably the finest on the South coast.

James Brinton Bailey sold the gardens in around 1863, but the gardens grew in popularity the new owners ran the gardens as a family business for many years.  Local visitors and those from further away using the railway came to enjoy the gardens and the amusements and attractions that were available for a small charge.

 The Swiss Gardens Lake boasted a little steam-boat called the ‘Basilisk’  which was capable of carrying up to ten ‘Trippers’ at a time. In addition, at various times, there have been several other boats, such as punts, rowing boats and canoes. Naturally a hire charge was usually made for some of these boating pleasures, but a Railway Poster dated 1856 clearly shows that patrons of the day could obtain really good value for their money at the Gardens. Similarly, an old photograph shows a plaque on the outside of the Swiss Garden advertising that: “No charge is made for any of the amusements in the Gardens except a small one for: Billiards, Rifle Shooting and American Bowls,’ and ‘Admission One Shilling, Children under ten years 6d.’

In his ‘History of Brighton and Environs, 1871’, Alderman Henry Martin said that: ‘ … the Swiss Gardens … presented as great a variety of amusements as could be met with in any other place of its kind in England’.

A Grotto containing a Chalybeate Spring surrounded by fragrant roses and overflowing with sweet smelling Honeysuckle and other sweet smelling plants and shrubs lay in a secluded part of the garden, the entrance to the grotto being guarded by large stone giants.  There was also ‘Bridge of Steps’ spanning the stream. Close by, those who wished could pass through a low door covered with more mystical characters, consultations with the ‘Lady of the Temple of the Oracle’ – a fortune teller could be made.

A battery of six carronades, a kind of ship’s cannon, would occasionally sound off to start an event on the sports field such as a balloon ascent, or the beginning of a firework display; or simply as an additional entertainment for the crowds.

The whole Gardens and surrounding area could be viewed from the top of an observatory which took the form of a high observation tower shaped rather like a lighthouse, and with just as many steps to climb to the top.

To cater for the sporting types there was a bowling green, an archery field and a cricket pitch, where, in addition to the playing of matches, the previously mentioned firework displays and balloon ascents took place.

There was a Library and Reading Room containing ‘scrap books and albums’ for the visitors. Here there were also provided (all free of charge): “many seated tables’ with chess sets draughtsmen and boards, for those who cared to use them, with an adjacent saloon containing facilities for bagatelle and Chinese billiards, and other “scientific games’.

The Theatre at the Swiss Gardens was said by a reporter to the Illustrated Times in September 1858, to be: ‘Both neat and commodious’. It contained private boxes, a pit and a large gallery. Other than the boxes there were no reserved seats and ‘first come first served’ was the rule of the House. The performances started at 2pm, with concerts, singing and comedians. In the late afternoon shows of early photographs and pictures were shown whilst musicians played instruments. 

The Ballroom was used for dances and shows of different types, being a large space it was used for fetes and events and dances of different sorts. People travelled from Brighton and Worthing to have events held in the large room.

 It is believed that at the height of its popularity thousands of visitors came but sadly by the 1890s it had fallen out of fashion. Seaside resorts had become more popular and the gardens became overgrown and the building in need of repair.

The buildings started to deteriorate and a piece of land was sold to the council to build the school. (Victoria Road) more land was sold for housing and the public house The Swiss Cottage stands on one of the entrances to the original site.

By 1910 the buildings left were dismantled and although part of the lake still remains  what is left of the site is the school building  named  Swiss Gardens Primary School in 2008 when the school changed from Shoreham First School and was re named by the children to honour the past.