Princess Gardens were opened in 1894. They were named after Princess Louise, the daughter of Queen Victoria, who visited the town on 6 May 1890. The gardens were designed in a typical Victorian style with elaborate fountains and ornate shelters, which face Torquay harbour. The planting is formal with lawns and large flowerbeds and includes palm trees that were imported from New Zealand. The area was originally marshland and needed 200,000 tons of infill before work on the gardens could commence.
