Royal Patent Gymnasium, Royal Crescent Park

Category

Library Item

Item no

24742

Title

Royal Patent Gymnasium, Royal Crescent Park

Description

A great deal of construction is taking place in Royal Crescent Park, Edinburgh. Piles of wood can be seen that are being used to construct gymnastic equipment. Most of the Park is covered by a large circular water-filled pool with small piers around it and a central island (Great Sea Serpent Patent Rotary Boat). Another pond can be seen to the left of this and in the background there are merry-go-rounds; pendulum swings and sea-saws being constructed. Alexander Moffat's Royal Gymnasium Refreshment Rooms occupies the brick built building in the foreground. New Town houses can be seen in the background.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1865

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The Royal Patent Gymnasium (Royal Crescent Park ) operated from 1865 until the late 1870s. It was a mixture of a fair ground and a sporting facility. It included rides such as the Sea Serpent Rotary Boat, Velocipede Merry-Go-Round, and the Planetarium Swing. It also had an athletics hall and activities such as winter skating, races and gymnastics. It aimed to provide "healthful and exhilarating recreation in the open air"

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Related subjects

Manufacturing Industry > Manufacturing facilities > Construction sites

Places > Edinburgh areas > New Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Sport and leisure > Sports and recreation facilities > Amusement parks

Sport and leisure > Sports and recreation facilities > Gyms

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