Events 2019

Grand re-opening of the Waterways

On Tuesday 20th August 2019 the Waterways were re-opened in Great Yarmouth after gaining a National Lottery grant of £1.7m to fund the work.

Ormesby Lace were invited to participate in this keynote event and we were happy to oblige with a demonstration of Lace Making. We met many old friends and made some new ones. A good day was had by all.

The gardens were designed by S P Thompson, the Great Yarmouth Borough Engineer, who had previously designed the boating lake. The Venetian Waterways were constructed between January and June 1928 as part of relief work for the unemployed. It is thought that the channels were all dug out by hand, using shovels and wheelbarrows. Nearby Caister provided over 6500 tons of soil which was brought in to replace the sand which was dug. The scheme contained winding rivers for gondolas, paths through rock gardens, leading to picturesque bridges over the water, and several thatched shelters. The Venetian Waterways were opened to the public on August 2nd 1928. The Venetian Waterways and the boating lake together are known as the Waterways.

The Waterways had remained a popular attraction with the people of Great Yarmouth and it's visitors until it fell into disrepair in the late 20th century.