Winter Gardens & Queen's Hall

The Winter Gardens opened in 1911 on the site of an old fort. Low built and D-shaped on plan, with a typical seaside dance/concert hall in front of an open, semi-circular colonnaded amphitheatre. In 1935, part of the amphitheatre was converted to a sun lounge, then, in 1963, the whole of the area was roofed over to form the Queen’s Hall.

The old, flat-floored, main Winter Gardens hall has a proscenium stage on the long side and balconies across the short ends. Bleacher seats and sprung dance floor. The Queen’s Hall has a smaller proscenium stage and a small balcony with kitchens under. Neither hall was designed with an orchestra pit. Both have their own dressing rooms.