The Pleasure Gardens at Sutton on Sea are believed to have first been laid out in the 1930s, and opened in about 1938. They were initially comprised of a paddling pool, ornamental gardens, café, and other amenities, including a long colonnade that lined the landwark bank of the adjacent sea wall. The gardens were severely damaged in January 1953, when huge storm tides breached sea defences along almost the British North Sea coastline. The towns of Mablethorpe and Sutton on Sea were badly damaged, with water surging as far as 5km inland and causing the loss of 43 lives in the local area. Plans to rebuild the damage were soon initiated, and the landscape architect Dame Sylvia Crowe was commissioned to design a replacement garden. Her new design incorporated some earlier features that had survived the storm, including the public conveniences, café, and part of the colonnade. New features included tennis courts, a flower garden, bowling and putting greens, and a tea lawn. The full length of the colonnade was reinstated, with an attendant's kiosk marking the distinction between the surviving southern part, and the newer northern part. The 1930s southern part was designed in a spare classical style, with individual Doric columns supporting the walkway above, and creating a recessed area underneath. The 1950s northern part is formed of plain, wide arches supported on slightly tapering columns, and features an ice cream kiosk and covered play area at its northern end. A new paddling pool was also created, designed in the shape of a maple leaf after funding was gifted by the Kin Clubs of Canada. The pool was originally ornamented with a ship's mast, anchor and buoys obtained from the docks at Grimsby. A representative of the High Commissioner of Canada subsequently attended the official re-opening of the gardens in 1954. The pleasure gardens at Sutton on Sea were assessed by English Heritage in October 2020, for possible inclusion on the Register of Parks and Gardens. It was decided that the criteria for designation was not met in this instance, as the gardens have been subject to considerable modern alteration, and despite the historical interest, not enough of the original designs survive to a sufficient degree. {1}{2}