Great Yarmouth Winter Gardens - Reimagining the People's Palace

Computer render of the refurbished Winter Gardens: and iron and glass building with open spaces, lush plants and visitors.
An artist's impression of the redevelopment plans for the Winter Gardens. Credit: Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

Heritage Horizon Awards

Date awarded
Location
Nelson
Local Authority
Great Yarmouth
Applicant
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Award Given
£12363039
Great Yarmouth Borough Council is restoring the UK’s last surviving Victorian ironwork seaside winter gardens.

In 2021, it was one of five transformational projects across the country to be given a Heritage Horizon Award from the Heritage Fund. Our funding, combined with £4m investment from the Government’s Town Deal Fund, means restoration work can kick-off in 2024.

Transforming the People’s Palace

a photo from the early 1900s showing Great Yarmouth's winter gardens
The Winter Gardens opened in 1903. Credit: Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

Currently on Historic England's Buildings at Risk Register, the iron and glass structure will be restored to its former glory on Great Yarmouth’s seafront. Original features like cast and wrought ironwork and lost timber screens will be carefully replaced.

With beautiful gardens, galleries, and café and restaurant areas, the developed winter gardens will offer opportunities for leisure, entertainment and learning, bringing new life to the heart of the town.

Commitment to sustainability

a black and white photo of a group of female rollerskaters in the Great Yarmouth Winter Gardens
Great Yarmouth Roller Skating Club in the Winter Gardens, 1951. Credit: Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

In the gardens visitors will learn about how plants have shaped our history and define our future. Innovative features will increase the building’s sustainability, such as passive ventilation, rainwater harvesting, planting designed to create shade and installation of low carbon air source heat pumps.

Councillor Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: ‘’Great Yarmouth’s Winter Gardens are an integral part of our history and loved by generations of people – not just in the town, but across the region and beyond. This will be a stunning addition to what we are able to offer residents and visitors and demonstrates our commitment to regeneration in the borough.’’ 

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