The Rise of Pleasure Gardens in Regency Literature

The pleasure garden is a common fixture of historical romance novels. In this article, we’ll examine what exactly a pleasure garden is, why it’s so prevalent in historical fiction and how you can use it to enhance your writing. We will also look at the historical significance of pleasure Gardens. Are they played up a little big in today’s literature which focuses so much on vice over virtue?

What is a Pleasure Garden in Historical Romance Novels?

There is a significant difference between pleasure gardens in fictional literature written today and the historical gardens of 200-plus years ago. A pleasure garden in a historical romance novel is a place for socializing during the day and dancing at night. They are also used for masquerades and other events, such as casual dances and concerts. Pleasure gardens had live music, food or tea, walking areas, etc. Typically they also have lots of flowers in the novel settings and statues of men.

Examples of Regency Romance Novels with Pleasure Gardens

You can enjoy a regency romance by reading one of these novels set in a pleasure garden:

• The Devil and the Viscount by Mary Lancaster
• Temptation and the Artist By Mary Lancaster

If you want to read a little bit more about this plotline, I recommend starting with the first book in the series, The Devil and the Viscount. You can read the first two chapters for free!

Examples of Victorian Romance Novels With Pleasure Gardens

If you are looking for a Victorian Romance novel that features a pleasure garden, then you might like these:

• Bewitched by the Bluestocking, by Jillian Eaton
• Entranced by the Ear, also by Jillian Eaton

If you want to read a little bit more about the pleasure gardens in the Victorian era, I recommend starting with the first book in the series, Bewitched by the Bluestocking. You can read the first few chapters for free!

Is there a Historical Element to Pleasure Gardens?

If you’re a fan of Regency romance, then you know all about the pleasure gardens. From Romancing Mr. Bridgerton to A Lady by Midnight, these lush green spaces, complete with fountains and fireworks, are everywhere. They’re often described as having an almost magical quality, where one can lose themselves in their beauty and forget the world around them. And while this is certainly true today (the French Gardens at Versailles are certainly beautiful), it wasn’t true during the Regency period. Most people didn’t have access to them then either—they were reserved for those who had money and could afford to go out to one. It could cost up to two shillings just to enter. Without factoring in the rate of inflation, 2 shilling in 1800 was probably equal to roughly $300 USD today.

But while they may not have been as fashionable as literature portrays them today, they did serve a purpose—hosting parties! In fact, one of Jane Austen’s most talked-about scenes takes place at a birthday party held at Vauxhall Gardens (a famous London pleasure garden), where Darcy encounters Elizabeth Bennet for the first time since their disastrous dance together four years prior—it doesn’t go well!

Another example of a historical pleasure garden was Bermondsey Spa Pleasure Gardens which hosted the king’s birthday one year with food, festivities, and fireworks. This garden was somewhat respectable and regularly served guests in the tea gardens. It also has walkways and fireworks.

Below is a newspaper clipping from 1800 that tells a little bit more about the king’s party at these gardens.

Pleasure Gardens Are Here To Stay In Regency Romance Novels

We have seen that the Regency period saw a rise in the popularity of pleasure gardens. While people were still going to places like Vauxhall, many more opened private gardens for their friends and family members to enjoy. These new gardens were also part of a trend towards more refined entertainment that was taking place across all levels of society during this time period. One thing is for sure: it’s clear that these beautiful places are here to stay in fictional Regency romances.

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