The Band Stand

Lately we’ve took quite the liking to garden bandstands, also known as rotundas. We’ve seen a few cropping up here and there decorated beautifully with climbing plants, they’re a lovely edition to gardens and give you a shaded area to sit and enjoy the weather.

That being said we wanted to look at the history behind these structures, so we’ve spent a bit of time researching it.

During the industrial revolution there was a need for more green open spaces for the public to appreciate and as an attempt to improve the etiquette and manners of the lower class. With this the first band stands were built in the Royal Horticultural Society gardens, south Kensington in 1861. Towards the end of the 19^th century, bandstands were seen as a must have.

Many of the band stands throughout the UK made an appearance in the Victorian era. At the same time, the British brass band movement was gaining popularity. They were built in parks and on piers as a focal point for bands that were performing. Band stands were a way of brining crowds together to enjoy music in each others presence.

In the 40’s and 50’s the rise in popularity in the cinema and television meant that that public parks lost their appeal. As time went on, and between 1979 and 2001 bandstands were demolished, vandalised or dilapidated

A Victorian bandstand In Eastleigh Hampshire, Copyright to Marek69

In more recent years, a significant amount of money has been funded to restore some of the bandstands across the UK

What influence have they had on our gardens today?

You may notice that gazebos mimic the shape and structure of band stands. Gazebos are an incredibly popular product of choice for garden gatherings, enjoying barbeques and gatherings under them.

As well as this, miniature bandstand constructions have been added to gardens, to provide sheltered and shaded seating areas. Some are used for climbing plants to make their way up and create a beautiful display

These structures have the knack of bringing people together, just like the Victorian Band Stands did, whether to appreciate music or just to sit with family and friends these structures have had a bigger effect on our gardens than you may have originally thought.

 

A band stand used in a garden,