Great Yarmouth’s Winter Gardens will be reopening after 17 years (Image: Getty)
’s historic , the UK’s last surviving Victorian seaside glasshouse, is set to reopen after being closed for 17 years, thanks to a £16.3 million restoration project.
The Grade II-listed building, which has stood as a landmark on the coast for over a century, will undergo an ambitious transformation to return it to its former glory.
The project, funded by a £12.3 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and an additional £4 million from the Government’s Town Deal Fund, aims to breathe new life into the long-neglected structure.
Originally built in 1878 in Torquay before being relocated to Great Yarmouth in 1904, the Winter Gardens has had a varied history, serving as a ballroom, exhibition hall, amusement arcade, roller-skating rink, and even a beer garden.
It was forced to close in 2008 due to structural concerns, with its demolition deemed too costly. Now, with restoration plans in motion, the historic landmark hopes to reclaim its title as the “People’s Palace.”
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The landmark is set to reopen in 2027 (Image: Getty)
The ambitious restoration will see the glasshouse transformed into a vibrant year-round venue featuring indoor botanical gardens, entertainment spaces, leisure attractions, and cafés.
The project has also received support from the Royal Botanic Gardens, which will help guide the design of the gardens inside the glasshouse.
Iain Robertson, who is leading the construction efforts, emphasized the importance of the restoration not only for the building itself but for the local community.
“Apart from working to save the building, the team aims to create an all-year-round destination and a facility for the inclusion of the local community, which is focused on free access for local people,” he said.
The Winter Gardens is not just a key piece of Great Yarmouth’s heritage but also a rare example of Victorian seaside architecture.
The restoration will focus on preserving its stunning cast-iron framework, intricate detailing, and original features, while also modernizing the structure to ensure its long-term sustainability.
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It will undergo a £16.3 million restoration project. (Image: Getty)
First designed by Torquay architects John Watson and William Harvey, the Winter Gardens originally cost £12,783 to build—equivalent to around £1.9 million today.
After being purchased by Great Yarmouth Town Council, it was dismantled and transported to its current home on Wellington Pier, where it has stood for over a century.
Once completed, the revitalized Winter Gardens is expected to become a major draw for both locals and tourists, offering a unique combination of historical charm and modern leisure facilities.
The restored attraction is part of broader efforts to boost Great Yarmouth’s tourism industry, which has suffered setbacks in recent years.
The construction work is set to begin this year, with the grand reopening anticipated in 2027. Residents and visitors alike can look forward to once again experiencing one of the UK’s most beloved seaside landmarks, restored to its full Victorian splendor.