The gardens were opened formerly on Monday 21 June 1880 at 10.30 with the official inauguration at 11 am. The Rhine Promenade Band, dressed in their hired blue Austrian uniforms, played the National Anthem. The Band comprised two 1st violins, 2nd violin, viola, 'cello, double bass, flute, piccolo, clarinet, 1st cornet, 2nd cornet, euphonium, side-drum and triangle. One thousand people visited the gardens that day, browsing through the twisted walks, arbors and prettily designed alcoves. The entire length had a graveled path 16 ft wide with walks branching off. An 80 ft long verandah gave glorious sheltered views of the Priory in the foreground and the wooded areas beyond. On the east side, under a fine, evergreen oak, was a long seat offering views of the hills above and here and there were rustic seats and garden chairs. There was an ornamental covered bandstand, rustic summer houses and a gatekeeper's lodge.[4] "The fountain (erected by Mr Tipping) stands just opposite to the centre of the verandah, and will form an attractive object, not less as a work of art than as an agreeable adjunct with its living jet of sparkling water".[5] Plumber and glazier John Tipping lived just across the road in St Ann's Place, beside the 99 steps.

The gardens were funded by subscription and admission charges, though subscribers to the scheme, which cost 600 pounds, who could use the gardens freely. Visitors paid two shillings (10p) for a dozen tickets which they could buy from the principle hotels and boarding houses. Charging had the dual effect of raising funds and repelling the unruly Black Country excursionists. By November the following year, despite having made a loss, it was decided that the Gardens should be free to visitors "... whose presence in Malvern is of such great importance to its commercial prosperity...".[6] By the turn of the century evening concerts were being held in the gardens; visitors paid 3d for admission and subscribers were given 50 tickets for every half-guinea subscription. (There were 42 threepences in a half-guinea.) By then the Council had installed ornamental incandescent gas lamps, providing free gas. The water for the fountain was also provided free of charge.

With the construction of the Assembly Rooms and attached gardens in 1885 it was felt that the Promenade Gardens would become redundant. However, in 1888 Mr Speer of the Priory bought the Assembly Room Gardens for his own use and the Promenade gardens were needed more than ever.

In April 1900 Mrs. Wilmot, who granted the free lease, died and once again the Gardens' future became uncertain. In June they were auctioned for 2,300 pounds. At the last minute the Council decided not to bid but fortunately the gardens were purchased by Miss Louisa Archer who decided to keep them open for the enjoyment of the public. The traditions of recreation continued into the twentieth century with illuminated concerts that were being held there as recently as July 1913. In the 1920s the Council acquired the Assembly Rooms and Priory Gardens and the Promenade Gardens became redundant. Today the concerts have ceased but the fountain still works and the gardens frequently give pleasure to guests at the Abbey Hotel.

Illustrations:
1. Promenade Gardens and Fountain c.1920s.
2. The Fountain c.2010.