Bandstand

The bandstand, built around 1887 by Major Charles Davis, is located in Royal Victoria Park. It features a limestone ashlar plinth and rear, with cast iron columns that support a lead fish scale roof. The structure has a semi-elliptical plan with a rectangular block at the back. The shallow coved semi-elliptical roof includes an elliptical dome at the center, with a dentil fascia that follows the roof's contours, resting on flanking pilasters adorned with dentil cornices. Each side of the central dome has two columns with elaborate scrolled tops featuring lyre motifs and moulded bases. In front of the stage, there is a cast iron trellised balustrade. The interior rear is divided into nine horizontally planked panels with vertical ribs that converge at the base of the dome, and between these ribs are segmental arched panels at the base that conceal a jib door to the left of center. There are four windows at the rear. This bandstand is a relatively unusual design, created with acoustic principles in mind, and is axially aligned with the center of the Royal Crescent. Victoria Park, where the bandstand is located, was established in 1830 on the former Barton Fields, a common land area, and was inaugurated by the Duchess of Kent and her daughter, Princess Victoria, on October 23rd, 1830, making it the country's first municipal park.