When the festival closed its doors, a large part of the site was developed into residential housing, while the remainder experienced various incarnations as leisure and entertainment facilities, until it was left derelict in 1997 to fall into disrepair.
Now, after many years and numerous failed attempts to breathe new life into the historic site, the future of the restored Festival Gardens is secure, and the gates are well and truly open.
The Restoration
The restoration of the Festival Gardens has taken painstaking effort from the many teams and specialists involved.
Look out around the site for:
- Two restored pagodas in the oriental gardens
- The restored Moon Wall
- New lakes, waterways and waterfalls
- New pedestrian access point linking to the promenade
- New secure parking area
Now... it’s YOURS!
The Festival Gardens will always be free to use and everyone is welcome.
Come down and enjoy a freshly ground coffee or share a picnic with friends. Take a stroll through the woodland trails and on to the promenade. Relax in the oriental gardens amongst the waterfalls and cherry blossom. Test your climbing skills in the playground and look out for the many animals and birds that have made the Festival Gardens home.
The gardens are open every day but opening hours will reflect the changing seasons, so please check before visiting to avoid disappointment.
- Beginning November – End March: 8.30 am to 4pm Close
- Beginning April – End of April: 8.30 am to 6pm Close
- Beginning of May - End of September: 8.30 am to 8pm Close
- Beginning October – End October: 8.30am to 6pm Close
Please note - Festival Gardens will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
The easiest way to reach this cache is to walk to the rangers hut but take the small path on the right between the rangers hut and the pond. If you walk past the rangers hut you reach a dead end and the cache is not accesible from here.
Please be careful with the cache itself, be patient and take your time do not force the cache as it will break. Once the log is signed please fully close the cache and replace on the railings where found