The Mount Gardens

The land that’s now the Mount Gardens was once a large sand-dune and rabbit warren. Originally known as Tup Hill or Starr Hill, Decimus Burton laid it out as a park in the mid nineteenth century. The eminent architect was, of course, commissioned by landowner Sir Peter Hesketh Fleetwood.

Today it’s the site of the lovely Mount Gardens, at the centre of which stands the restored Mount Pavilion. It’s an attractive and historic landmark at Fleetwood seafront. Burton originally built a pagoda on a raised terrace at the top of the hill. With the first building later demolished the Mount Pavilion which stands there now replaced it in 1902. The clock is a memorial to those lost in the Great War, added in 1919.

A traditional Fylde style cobble wall surrounded the seven acre grounds in the 1860’s, some of which is still there today.

Join us for a walk around The Mount Gardens, filmed in August 2023 –

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There’s much more to find out about The Mount Pavilion itself, at this link

Explore The Mount Gardens

Loved by locals and visitors alike, The Mount Gardens is a distinctive feature of Fleetwood. If you take a walk to the top of the hill, especially on a clear day, you’ll be rewarded with these magnificent views.

Local children love the slopes when there’s a rare coastal snow or ice in winter. There aren’t many hilly spots in the flat Fylde landscape where they can use a sledge!

The gardens of The Mount get a battering from the harsh salty winds which blow from the sea, especially the front facing slopes. Gardeners choose plants which can withstand a battering from the weather, taking advantage of any walls, buildings and shelter when putting them in.

Gatehouse Entrance to The Mount Gardens

The gardens wrap right around The Mount, continuing at the landward side. It’s almost a hidden local treasure, since the size of the park isn’t obviously apparent from the main promenade. The full extent of the site includes a rose garden, rockeries and ornamental planting. Plus a children’s playground, plenty of paths and of course the Gate Lodge.

Recently kitted out with new equipment, a new play area brings a mix of play equipment and a play trail to a new location in the gardens.

The Mount Lodge

Also built by Decimus Burton and once used as his office, the gatehouse forms the main Mount Road entrance. Sadly, it stood disused and neglected for some years but now it’s back to its former glory!

Lower floors, now accessible, have become a base for volunteers helping on the grounds, along with an artist and scientist who will run activities. Here it is during the restoration programme

To the side of the Lodge is the Mary Hope Garden. Originally created in the 1960s for people with sight impairment. Now remodelled and restored with beautiful new walls and paths and packed with flowers.

Celebrating the life of Mrs Doreen Lofthouse OBE

Monday 24 January 2022 saw a beautiful new tribute unveiled at the Mount Gardens, dedicated to the memory and legacy of the ‘Mother of Fleetwood’ Mrs Doreen Lofthouse OBE. Memorialising the tremendous impact she had on the town, you’ll find it within the Rose Gardens.

Duncan is Mrs Lofthouse’s son. He said: “I’m delighted with the memorial board. It commemorates mum’s lifetime achievements and I know that she’d be both honoured and humbled with the accolade.

“She loved the town of Fleetwood and the people of Fleetwood. Gardening was a real passion of hers so the two things go together extremely well. The memorial board is exactly where it should be. We are very happy with it.”

Other Memorials and Monuments

As a popular and well-used park, the Mount Gardens has always been a special place for memorials monuments and tributes. Search and you’ll find a number of them, nestled within the grounds.

Restoring The Mount Gardens

The transformation of Fleetwood’s most iconic feature began in 2016. Thanks to a £1m donation and incredibly generous gift from the Lofthouse family, makers of Fisherman’s Friend. The gift enabled the boundary wall, railings and shelters to be restored to their former glory.

The original cast iron railings at The Esplanade were removed during the Second World War Effort in 1942. The bespoke replacements replicate the ornamental pattern of the original Victorian design. They’re painted in the same original shades of heritage green which would have been used on the first installation.

Volunteers help to replant The Mount Gardens

26 volunteers helped to plant out the garden along the length of The Esplanade boundary wall, during the first phase of the project. Chosen for their hardiness, 2,000 shrubs such as lavender and eucalyptus and 65 trees were planted. Along with 4,300 flowering bulbs including a variety of daffodils.

Local residents Anne Carlos and Norma Banville (front of shot, both dressed in cream) volunteered because they both wanted to give something back to the community they love.

Norma said: “I helped because I absolutely love the place where I now live, and just wanted to give something back.” Anne added: “The Mount is looking lovely with everything that’s been done so far. It’s nice to think that we’ve played a small part in making it look even more beautiful. We’re both excited to come back and see the daffodils and say that we planted some of those!”

The green fingered volunteers also planted a new rockery in the east of the garden using reclaimed limestone and a range of plants including smaller shrubs and perennials. The plants chosen are hardy and can grow in the harsh coastal conditions. They’re ones with tough, leathery or hairy leaves which protect the plant from salt damage and reduce moisture loss. The landscaping work also includes planting schemes for wildlife and new areas of habitats to enhance biodiversity. Views of and from the pavilion were opened up by removing some pine trees, with new trees planted elsewhere in the gardens.

The Mount Crest

A permanent Mount Crest takes centre stage in the slope in front of The Mount Pavilion. It’s thanks to the work of a team of local people. Back in 2013, they began their work to secure enough funding for the installation.

It’s a permanent memorial to commemorate all of the Fleetwood people killed or injured in wars or conflicts.

It enhances the existing clock war memorial. Isaac Spencer’s of Fleetwood presented the clock in memory of all the Fleetwood people who had died in the First World War. Inside the pavilion is also a war memorial plaque.

The Crest Created by the Community

The team who made it happen included members from Fleetwood Civic Society, Fleetwood Rotary, Fleetwood Town Council, Wyre Council, Fleetwood in Bloom, Fleetwood Chamber of Commerce, Roger Eaves Ltd among others.

Front row [holding picture] Margaret Lund Fleetwood Rotary, Margaret Daniels Fleetwood Civic Society, Mark Billington Wyre Borough Council.
Second Row Cll. John Warnock Fleetwood in Bloom, Cll David Shaw Fleetwood Town Council and Fleetwood Chamber of Commerce, Deryk Martin Rotary, Maurice Dowsing Rotary. Back row Roger Eaves of Roger Eaves Ltd, Gordon Oates Rotary.

The Fleetwood Crest is 4910mm wide x 5460mm deep. A plaque adds: “In remembrance of all Fleetwood people killed or injured in wars and conflicts.” It depicts the Fleetwood coast of arms, made from coloured recycled glass and resin. The cost of installation was around £27,000 with up to £20,000 of the monies granted by Fleetwood Town Council. An additional £2,800 came from Wyre Council Shaping your Neighbourhood Fund to meet the cost of installation. A special official opening event on Sunday 29 March 2015 unveiled The Mount Crest. Entertainment being provided by Fleetwood Old Boys Band.

As a seasonal flowerbed, the space was attractive when planted up but looked neglected between planting schemes. Unfortunately it also meant that it was sometimes a bare patch of earth, and it was expensive to maintain. The new Mount Crest looks attractive all of the time.