1. The Gardens were opened in 1904 and were later replaced by a theatre/dance hall in 1922. The current building dates from c.1972. C.H. Nicholas, RCAHMW, 24th November, 2006.
2. Named for William de Valence, 1st Earl of Pembroke (d. 1296), the De Valence Gardens opened in July 1904. They were funded by the wine and spirits merchant, George Chiles, who was then mayor of Tenby. the gardens were described in the Evening Edition (19 July 1904) at the time of their opening as
‘situated in the centre of the town, and on two sides are enclosed by the ancient battlemented walls and towers, which are here in their most perfect state. The ancient walk round the walls still exists. In area the gardens are about 620 square yards, and running round the four sides is a broad pathway roofed with glass, while the centre is occupied by a lawn. The gardens are fitted with every convenience for the comfort of visitors, including a lounge, reading and writing rooms, buffet, &c.’
In May 1905, the gardens were improved, to make them more usable in the winter months, by covering the seats in front of the stage with a glass and ironwork roof, similar to that covering the walkway. The gardens played host to a range of events, such as plays and concerts, – in 1907, Chiles opened the winter season with ‘roller skating with a new floor and skates, in either wet weather or dry’.
In 1922, the gardens were replaced with a theatre and dance hall. This was replaced in c.1972 by the Dr Vance Pavilion, which closed in 2010, but has since been refurbished and reopened by a local trust.
Sources: ‘Mayor’s Generous Deed, Splendid Gift to the Town of Tenby’, Evening Express, 19 July 1904, p. 2; ‘Tenby’, The Welshman, 5 May 1905, p. 7; ‘Tenby’, The Welshman, 11 January 1907, p. 5, all accessed via Welsh Newspapers Online (https://newspapers.library.wales) on 15.07.2022; ‘Site of De Valence Gardens, Tenby’, HistoryPoints.org, accessed 15.07.2022; ‘About’, De Valence Pavilion website: https://www.devalencepavilion.com, accessed 15.07.2022.
A.N. Coward, RCAHMW, 15.07.2022