VICTORIA GARDENS - St STEPHEN

QUANTRELLS PLEASURE GARDENS 1783.
QUANTRELL'S RURAL GARDEN 1777 & 1780
COE'S PLEASURE GARDENS 1795.
NEECH's RANELAGH GARDENS July 1796 & July 1803
PUBLIC PLEASURE GARDENS 1801.
HARPER'S RANELAGH GARDENS & PANTHEON 1805.
RANELAGH GARDENS 1804, 1808 & 1810.
RANELAGH PLEASURE GARDENS 1820 - 1839.
RANELAGH GARDENS & INN 1826

3rd August 1776 - Mr. Quantrell advised that his Gardens would be illuminated on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings during Assize Week. The display would conclude with the taking of Bunker Hill, with Fireships, and a great Confusion of Bombs and Musketry.
Admittance 1s which included 6d for Liquor &c.

Mr Quantrell announced that his RURAL GARDENS would be illuminated on the evening of 4th June 1777 in honour of his Majesty's Birthday. Grand and curious pieces of Illumination would be exhibited by Sig. Baptist Patrolla; many of them upon a Construction taken from Vauxhall and Paris. The whole to conclude with Hercules delivering Theseus out of the Infernal Regions with the greatest Explosion that was ever exhibited.

On Tuesday 22nd June 1779 Mr. Quantrell ran a Benefit for the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. There was the singing of Mr. Cubitt (His first appearance in Public), Zachariah Mortram, a lad of about 15 years (His second appearance in Public) who was to imitate Birds with his Throat and play a Violin without Strings. Signor John Baptista Samensatti from Venice to exhibit many new capital Pieces of Fireworks.... a Variety of Pieces too tedious to insert.
Admission at the Gate One Shilling.
N.B. The Pinks are in Bloom.

One of 40 houses named (Quantrell's Gardens) as being engaged for the Reception of Freeholders for Sir John Woodhouse and Sir Edward Astley's Friends on the Day of Election, Wednesday 14th April 1784.

Mr. Quantrell's Little Speaking Figure would make his last appearance of the Season on 22nd April 1786 - Admission 6d.
On Easter Tuesday 1786, weather permitting, a Large Montgolfier, or Balloon, Sixty Feet in Circumference, filled with Rarefied Air, without any fire being fixed to it, would ascend with a Dog and Cat as passengers. The Cat to descend from the Car in a Parachute - Admittance 6d with 3d being returned in Liquor.

W. Coe announced Saturday 14th June 1794 that on the following Tuesday there would be a Concert of Vocal and Instrumental Music, ending with `Rule Britannia' and God Save The King'.
Brilliant Illuminations being arranged by Mr. Mortram of the Theatre Royal.

Mr. Neech offered entertainment during Assize Week, Tuesday to Friday, as advertised 16th July 1796. Entertainment included an Evening Concert with the Vocal Parts being performed by Miss Herbert from Bath. Between the Acts there would be a variety of Performances on the Slack Rope, in Full Swing, the Grand Sauteure, or Trampoline and Ground and Lofty Tumbling. To conclude with a Grand exhibition of Chinese Fireworks by Mr. Motram.

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Robert Harper announced 29th September 1804 that he had taken the inn and procured a supply of Good Wines and Liquors.
In August 1810 he advised of the Entertainments for the coming Assize Week which were to include the Vocal Performers, Mr. Glenville, Mr. Tuthill and Miss Horrebow.

July 1813 - Mr. Harper was disappointed of the non-attendance of Miss Bolton, since she had formed a matrimonial alliance with a person of high rank. In consequence he had engaged Miss Acres, from Vauxhall, which added to the well known merits of Messrs. Terrail and Denman, who could not fail to produce to the lovers of harmony, a gratifying amusement during the Assize week.

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William Finch announced 28th October 1817 that he had taken the RANELAGH GARDENS, late in the occupation of Harper.
It was the wrong time of year to a display of grandeur in the Gardens, so his first care would be devoted to the interior, which he hoped would be regulated to the Public's wish.

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October 1820 - Mr. J. Cooke acquainted the Nobility, Gentry and the Public that he would be fitting up the Pantheon at the Gardens as a Circus, for a short season.
Sparing no expense arranging a numerous and respectable company, in addition to his usual establishment he would present from Astley's Amphitheatre Royal London, the Flying Hussar, Mr. Diamond who had so much improved since his last appearance and stood incontestably unrivalled in all his astonishing leaps, who, after bleeding on the fields of Waterloo, now sojourns amongst us, to entertain and delight.

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Advertised February 1826, To Be Let, with nearly Immediate Possession.
"All that Public Inn, called the Ranelagh Gardens, situate in the Hamlet of Lakenham, near St. Stephen's Gates.....with good stabling and other convenient outbuildings capable of considerable improvement. The attached Public Rural Gardens and Pantheon, well adapted for Equestrian Performances."

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Mr. Finch thanked the Public for their Patronage over the past Six Years and on 7th August 1824 announced that during the period from Tuesday evening of the 10th to the Saturday evening of the 14th August 1824 (Assize Week), the Gardens would be open as usual for Summer Festivities with Vocal Performances by Miss. Harris, from the Covent Garden Theatre, Mr. J Smith from the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Master Smith from the Ancient Concerts, Hanover Square Rooms and Nephew to the celebrated Miss Stephens and Mr. D Smith of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Leader of the Band being Mr. H Nicholson, late of the Covent Garden Theatre.
With many other Entertainments, admission for Thursday and Friday mornings, 1s 6d. On Tuesday Wednesday and Saturday evenings, 1s.
Mr. Graham being confidently expected to ascend from thence in his majestic Balloon during the ensuing Festival Week, for which due notice to be given.

Mr. L. De Caux announced 27th October 1827 that he had taken the concern and would spare neither pains nor expense to render this a delightful spot, truly agreeable.......

At the Events held during Assize Week, from Monday 25th July 1831, Mr. L. De Caux presented a Grand Concert with Miss Horton and Mr. Mears of Covent Garden.
There was Signor Benasontag, the Ventriloquist, who was to sing the `death of Tim Moody'. Ching Lauro would appear! There would be Military and Pandean Bands. The Celebrated Gyngell would perform on the Slack Wire.
Leader of the Band was Mr. Arnold of Covent Garden.
N.B. No persons to be Admitted into the Gardens in Dishabille.

For sale by auction (Ranelagh Gardens) 29th May 1835, Freehold with a lease granted to the late John Patteson Esq., from Michaelmas 1818 for 21 years. Near SIX ACRES included which hold the stables, a Coach House in occupation of Messrs. Adams & Co., A Pantheon, Saloon, Bowling Green, Flower and Vegetable Gardens, Alcoves, Mound for display of Fireworks, Pleasure Gardens with a great variety of Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. Sale included Six Shares of £50 each in the North Walsham Turnpike Tolls and Three Aylsham Navigation Shares of £20, £70 and £100.

On Saturday 24th June 1842 a Benefit was held at the Pantheon in the Royal Victoria Gardens for the eminent Professor of the Pugilistic Art, Ned Painter. Having been subjected to the expenses of a wanton and persecuting litigation, his Friends in London and Norwich sought to raise support for the old and tried Veteran of the Ring.
Admission 2s 6d.

Mr. Page was congratulated for his entertainment provided over the two race days of July 1842. The grounds were visited by some thousands and those from the country who had not seen the like before, were amazed at the dazzling brilliancy of the Illuminations and the illuminated painting of Her Majesty. Performances commenced in the newly and splendidly decorated Olympic Temple. Mademoiselle Reikee danced admirably and the gymnastics of Mr. Cotterell and his son delighted the juveniles. The fireworks went off with much eclat.
It was hoped that Mr. Page was well rewarded for the enterprise.......

Licence transferred 1895 along with that of the FARRIERS ARMS and the VILLA GARDENS to the BRANFORD STORES.

Licence dropped 21.08.1895 by arrangement with the Licensing justices on grant of a new licence to Jonas Lake.