Penarth Dock, South Wales - the heritage and legacy

Volume Eight - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - Even more aspects - More Moments Captured in Time . . .


Penarth Gardens - A 'National Series' postcard view from Alexandra Gardens with the fine, thirty seat capacity, Victorian bandstand, a rear elevation of the Esplanade Hotel, the ornate tower of the Seawater Public Baths with the pier beyond. The pier, opened to the public in February 1895, is missing the Bijou Pavilion at the seaward end, hence, the photograph may be dated prior to 1907. The pavilion was destroyed by the great fire of August Bank Holiday Monday 1931. In the Severn Sea, a sailing pilot is making its way down channel to its next assignment whilst a steamship cruises up channel perhaps to be loaded with Welsh steam coal. A lovely heritage view held within the Penarth Dock Collection. [001] [20191031]




Penarth - An aerial postcard view which is undated but which I would estimate to be the late 1940's given the vintage of the car parked on the esplanade just to the left of the Esplanade Hotel. The childrens' paddling pool may be seen on the beach. I recall this slimy pool as a child and it always seemed to be a chilly place being in the shade of the cliffs even on a Summer afternoon! In the Alexandra Park, the bandstand and finely manicured gardens are clear, as is a granite obelisk set on a stepped plinth being the War Memorial dating from November 1924. During April 1951 the Parks and Allotments Committee decided that the cost of repairs to the bandstand following the recent gales was excessive and the bandstand was subsequently demolished. [001] [20191031]