Photo above: Bath Lane can be seen on this map of 1828, after the demise of Vauxhall and the gardens.
Various addresses given as the Vauxhall, situated behind Bath Lane, sometimes given as Bath Lane, others as Vauxhall Gardens or Wharf.
From the Leicester Journal 26th April 1766, built to ape the famous Vauxhall gardens in London, 1760, Vauxhall public house and pleasure gardens in Bath Lane had large formal gardens with planted walks. In 1766, a bowling green was laid out, with music gallery and baths for ladies and gentlemen.
Situated by the River Soar, rowing became a popular pastime. William Gardiner writes of the time he, and two companions, armed with wine and cakes, rowed on the Soar. “As soon as one bottle was empty it was thrown overboard, one of the china plates soon followed, by the time we had landed everything had been committed to the deep. On landing the waiter inquired what had become of the plates, glasses and bottles, to which one of the party replied; ‘We have made ducks and drakes of them put them on the bill.’
The Leicester Chronicle had further articles on the Vauxhall and gardens: Vauxhall Gardens also called Bath Gardens, Leicester’s favourite place of entertainment, the gardens stretched along the river bank along what is now Bath Lane, the river in the foreground and wooded slopes leading to the Dane Hills in the distance.
In 1774, officers of the militia entertained the chief citizens of Leicester to a tea party. A regimental band, from a boat in mid river played lively airs for dancing, the ladies in stiff brocade, gentlemen in gold lace and ruffles, danced until late in the night. So successful was the occasion, that it continued the following night, the hosts this time last night’s guests.
The winter of 1783 was very severe and long, so much so that the river was frozen over for long periods, and several skating festivals were held.
October 1793, a circus visited the Vauxhall Gardens, the main attraction was ‘Young Mercury’ who was displayed on horseback, with the horse at full gallop, as well as performing feats of acrobatics on two horses. This was one of the last entertainments at the Vauxhall. J Thompson writes in his History of Leicester:
“By 1795 the Vauxhall gardens for so long a favourite spot for recreation in Leicester and had passed out of public notice. It was offered for sale as a suitable site for Wharf and warehouses”.
The Vauxhall was to continue for some years yet. The directories list Thomas Moxon as licensee in 1815, and in 1827, James Doyle.
Martin Webster writes the public house was occupied by Mr Micheal Cooke who died c1766 when all his brewing equipment etc were sold at auction.