Victoria Avenue. The work of the Victoria Park Company in joining the two ancient villages of High and Low Harrogate to form a modern town reached a climax in 1860 with the opening of Victoria Avenue. Two of the first developments were the Belvedere of 1861, now the College of Arts and the congregational church by Lockwood and Mawson of 1861-2. The avenue at one time had private entrance gates and the combination of wide roads and pavements. Grass verges, trees and noble buildings provided an example from which future generations could obtain inspiration.