BAYSWATER TEA GARDENS
The Bayswater Tea Gardens, situated in a region once noted for its springs and salubrious air, were originally the Physic Garden of “Sir” John Hill, botanist, playwright, and quack doctor:—
“His farces are physic, his physic a farce is,”
and in this garden he grew the plants for his wonderful Water Dock Essence and Balm of Honey.
Hill died in 1775, and his garden was (some years before 1795) turned into a place of amusement, known as the Bayswater Tea Gardens, and much frequented by the denizens of Oxford Street and neighbourhood.[124] Views of 1796 show the boxes and arbours, and a family party, more plebeian than that in George Morland’s “Tea Garden,” in full enjoyment of their tea. Waiters are bustling about with huge kettles crying “’Ware kettle, scaldings!”
The Bayswater Tea Gardens are mentioned in the Picture of London, 1823–1829, among those frequented by Londoners of the middle classes. From about 1836 they appear to have been called the Flora Tea Gardens, Bayswater.
THE BAYSWATER TEA GARDENS, 1796.
For the 27th June, 1836, Mrs. Graham was announced to make her ascent from the gardens at five o’clock, in her silk balloon. In the evening were fireworks, the admission being one shilling. In August 1839, Hampton, the aëronaut, made an ascent about seven in the evening in his Albion balloon from these gardens, which were crowded by “a fashionable and respectable company.” The balloon moved over the Kensington Gardens, and Hampton then descended in his safety parachute, this descent being the feature of the performance. The parachute struck against a tree and fell. Hampton was extracted from the tackle in a shaken condition, but was borne on the shoulders of four men into the Flora Gardens amid loud applause, and a grand display of fireworks concluded the entertainment.