Welcome to Bridge Gardens

Welcome to Bridge Gardens. . , The Ada Lewis Memorial , This memorial was originally erected in 1908 in memory of local benefactor Ada Lewis, and was used as a drinking trough for passing horses during the days of heavy horse-coach traffic over the Maidenhead Bridge. , Ada Lewis was the wife of a wealthy moneylender and philanthropist, Samuel Lewis and the couple had homes in London, Brighton and Boulters Lock, Maidenhead. Between them, the Lewises bequeathed millions of pounds to charities in London, Brighton and Maidenhead. , The memorial was first placed outside the Thames Riviera Hotel but was moved in the 1970s to the opposite side of the A4, where it was used as a large bedding planter. , In late 2010 the memorial was relocated to a more central position within Bridge Gardens where you see it today. It has been converted into a fountain and illuminated at night, so that users can enjoy it as well as views of the River Thames and Maidenhead Bridge., Maidenhead Bridge , Maidenhead Bridge was built 1772-1777. It was designed by Sir Robert Taylor, a leading architect of his day and the building work was undertaken by John Townsend of Oxford. The foundation stone was laid by the Mayor of Maidenhead on 19 October 1772. The bridge, made of brick and Portland stone with five arches over the river and four diminishing arches in the approach, is Grade 1 listed. There is a plaque on the bridge referring to the floods of 1947., The 'River Season' and Skindles , On the opposite bank to Bridge Gardens, Skindles Hotel was a local landmark, founded in 1833 as a smart hotel. Maidenhead was a newly-fashionable resort in the 1920s and 30s. , Maidenhead riverside was the place to be seen, with kings, queens, dukes, writers, actors and politicians being entertained by the score at the Guards Club, Taplow Court and Cliveden and spending weekends on the river. Parades of boats would pass through Boulters Lock and tea was taken at riverside hotels, including the Hungaria Club which was on the site of the existing Bridge Gardens. Skindles went through a second revival in the 1970s and 80s before closing in the 1990s.