Victoria Gardens

Jubilee gardens

The land was once known as the North Steine or North Enclosures. In 1897 it was dedicated to the public to mark Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, and in December that year a statue of the Queen by the Italian sculptor Carlo Nicoli, carved from Carrara marble, was unveiled in the southern section. The statue has been Grade II listed since 1971 and faces Chantrey's statue of George IV across the road by the Pavilion.

How it feels today

The tall railings and shrubberies that once enclosed the gardens have gone, leaving open lawns and flower beds that link the Old Steine with St Peter's Church. It is a busy, central green space, used as a cut-through, a picnic spot and, at times, an event venue. It is at its best on a sunny weekday morning, before the city centre crowds build.

Nearby

The Royal Pavilion is two minutes' walk south, and the North Laine's independent shops start just to the west. The Mash Tun pub and Bill's are within a few hundred metres if you want a drink or a meal, and the Brighton Unitarian Church on New Road is worth a look for its classical portico.

Highlights

• Opened in 1897 for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee
• Grade II listed Carrara marble statue of Queen Victoria by Carlo Nicoli
• Opposite the Royal Pavilion's North Gate
• Open lawns and flower beds in the city centre

Good to know

• Free, open public space in the city centre
• The council also lists it as an event venue, so parts may be in use during festivals

Frequently asked questions