Look just ahead of you and you’ll spot the Old Steine Gardens, set between the road and the magical spires of the Royal Pavilion. You can’t miss the curved iron fences, patches of bright green grass, rows of bare trees, and the big, old-fashioned lamp posts. If you look a bit further in, you might just catch the glimmer of water from the grand Victoria Fountain in the middle-standing tall and proud like a birthday cake topper from Victorian times!
Now, take a breath and step back in time with me. Imagine that you’re standing where the sea breeze mingles with the scent of fresh grass, and just under your feet, not so long ago, there was nothing but a wide, wild green lawn with a lazy stream running through it. It wasn’t always a garden full of statues and memorials - in fact, it was once little more than a local fishermen’s workshop. Picture it: men hauling their boats and laying out heavy, salty nets to dry in the sun, probably grumbling about the seagulls trying to steal their lunch.
But then, everything changed. The fishermen were moved on, and the green was fenced off for Brighton’s earliest holidaymakers-fashionable folks in bonnets and breeches, parading arm-in-arm as if on the catwalk. Before you knew it, libraries popped up, grand houses appeared, and the Old Steine became the heart of Brighton’s transformation from a sleepy fishing village into a sparkling seaside escape.
Look to your right and left-these gardens are actually split right down the middle by North Street! The southern part is where you’ll find the Victoria Fountain, a spectacular pile-up of cast iron and stone, with three dolphins twirling beneath a great saucer. If you’re wondering why dolphins-well, don’t worry, nobody’s tried surfing on them… yet! The fountain was built to celebrate Queen Victoria, thanks to one stubborn local doctor, John Cordy Burrows. When the town bigwigs said no to a new fountain, Burrows said, “I’ll do it myself!” and raised the money through concerts, a bazaar, and even a night at the theatre. Who knew fundraising could ever sound so much fun?
On special days, crowds gathered here for music, fireworks, and maybe the odd soggy sandwich under an umbrella-if you know Brighton weather, you’ll know why. Look for statues, mighty oaks (or where they used to be: the storm of ’87 saw to that), and memorials that tell stories from centuries past.
And don’t forget to say hello to the fountain’s dolphins. They’ve had more selfies taken with them than most of the city’s pigeons! Ready for your next stop? Let’s keep going!
Interested in a deeper dive into the background, victoria fountain or the statue of sir john cordy burrows? Join me in the chat section for an insightful conversation.
