Visitors might think that Festival Gardens is an example of a modern informal garden. In fact, its origins go back to the late Victorian era.
The idea was proposed in 1869 by the conductor of the Promenade Concerts, Sir Arthur Sullivan. His suggestion was that the city should improve the Bird Street area by constructing a public garden.
The land was purchased in 1871 and for many years it was known simply as the Recreation Ground. The present layout of the gardens was created in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain celebrations — which is why they became known as Festival Gardens.
Today the gardens include open lawns, pathways, several benches, flower beds and specimen trees, wildflower borders and spring bulbs. Trunkfield Brook passes through the park and provides a haven for wildlife. The city council supports a variety of wildlife‑friendly initiatives in the gardens to encourage biodiversity. The underpass from Festival Gardens leads directly into the Rose Gardens (known also as Heather Gardens), which too is owned and maintained by Lichfield City Council.
