Lady Herbert's Garden

Lady Herbert's Garden is a garden in Coventry city centre, named as a memorial to Alfred Herbert's second wife Florence.^[1] Construction and initial laying out began in 1930 and the last section was completed in 1939.^[2] It is built around several sections of the remains of Coventry city walls, including Swanswell and Cook Street Gates, and bordered by Chantry Place.^[2] The site was the former Chantry Orchard. Between 1816 and 1930, the area had become a slum, before being cleared to create the gardens.^[3]

Lady Herbert's Garden
Swanswell Gate stands at the edge of Lady Herbert's Garden.
Type	Ornamental
Location	Coventry, England
Coordinates	52.41068°N 1.507471°W / 52.41068; -1.507471
Opened	12 April 1931
Owned by	Coventry City Council

History

The gardens were designed by Albert Herbert, cousin of the industrialist and commissioner of them Alfred Herbert.^[4] The east garden was opened to the public on 12 April 1931^[4] and a west garden was added from 1935 to 1938.^[4] From 1930 to 1947 the gardens were overseen by Miss Denision, who was succeeded by Miss Hoffa who left in 1956.^[4] Following Herbert's death in 1957 the trustees faced financial difficulties and in 1974, ownership was transferred to Coventry City Council.^[4]

Lady Herbert's homes

Lady Herbert's homes

Commonly known as Lady Herbert's homes, these two blocks of almshouses were built in 1935 and 1937.^[2] They were both damaged during the Coventry Blitz and were rebuilt.^[2] The homes are currently managed by a charitable trust.^[5]