Beach Gardens in Swanage is being promoted by the town’s Information Centre as an alternative safe space to the beach, as this weekend sees the reopening of the putting green following the easing of coronavirus regulations.
When the beach gets busy, visitors can find much more space to relax in the town’s nearby park areas. So council officials have been busy installing signs and developing one way systems to allow for social distancing throughout Beach Gardens, a stone’s throw from the seafront.
Despite the reopening of the gardens, the town council has estimated that it will lose £18k this year in revenue from the sporting facilities at Beach Gardens due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Gifted in 1930 by John Mowlem to Swanage Town Council
The gardens, that were gifted in 1930 by John Mowlem to Swanage Town Council, now offer sporting facilities including six tennis courts, a basketball court, a bowling green and an 18 hole putting green.
The tennis courts have been open to club members since late May as singles tennis – the perfect non-contact game – was one of the first sports to get the go ahead under an easing of lockdown rules. Tennis is now available to guests and visitors.
There has been a gradual rollout of the other facilities, which has now been completed with the opening of the putting green on Saturday 11th July 2020.
Kiosk facility offering drinks and snacks
The Tea on the Green cafe in the gardens has also reopened as a kiosk facility offering drinks and snacks. For the time being it won’t be able to offer hot food.
Details of the hire charges for the Beach Garden facilities can be found on the Swanage Town Council website
