Heaton Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heaton Park |
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Heaton Park, Manchester
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| Type | Urban Park |
| Location | Manchester, England |
| Area | 600–650 acres (240–260 ha) |
| Created | 1902 |
| Operated by | Manchester City Council |
| Status | Open year round |
| Public transit access | Heaton Park Metrolink station |
| Website | Official website: https://www.manchester.gov.uk/heatonpark |
| Official name | Heaton Park |
| Designated | 20 February 1986 |
| Reference no. | 1000854 |
Heaton Park is a huge public park in Manchester, England. It covers more than 600 acres (242.8 ha) of land! This makes it the biggest park in Greater Manchester and one of the largest city parks in Europe.
Inside the park, you'll find Heaton Hall, a beautiful old country house from the 1700s. It's a special building, listed as Grade I, which means it's very important. The park was bought by Manchester City Council in 1902.
Heaton Park has lots to do! There's an 18-hole golf course, a boating lake, an animal farm, and even a volunteer-run tram system and museum. It also has special bowling greens that were built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games. The park was made even better with a big renovation project that cost over £10 million.
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History of Heaton Park
Heaton Hall was owned by the Holland family for many years. In 1684, it became part of the Egerton family when Sir John Egerton married Elizabeth Holland.
Building Heaton Hall
In 1772, Sir Thomas Egerton, who later became the 1st Earl of Wilton, wanted a new home. He asked James Wyatt, a famous young architect, to design it. Wyatt was only 26, and Heaton Hall was his first big country house project. This amazing house, built in the neo-classical style, was mostly finished by 1789.
The park around the hall was designed by William Emes. It was used for fun events like the Heaton Park races, which started in 1827. These races moved to Aintree (where the Grand National is now held) in 1839.
The Park Becomes Public
In the 1800s, a railway line was built near the park. The owner, Lord Wilton, didn't want it to spoil his estate. So, the railway went under the park in a tunnel! A station opened nearby in 1879.
Later, Lord Wilton decided to sell the hall and park. People were worried it would be turned into houses. A group formed to convince Manchester City Council to buy it as a museum and public park. Thanks to their efforts, the park was bought and opened to everyone in 1902. Sadly, the council didn't buy the furniture, so it was sold off.
Heaton Park During Wars
During the First World War, Heaton Park was used as a training camp for soldiers. Heaton Hall became a military hospital to help injured soldiers.
In the Second World War, the park became a camp for the Royal Air Force. Over 133,000 aircrew were trained here! There were also barrage balloons and anti-aircraft guns to protect the area. Some temporary houses were built in the park to help with housing shortages after the war.
Heaton Hall: A Grand House
Heaton Hall has been a Grade I Listed Building since 1952. It's known as one of the best houses of its time in Lancashire. The house is made of sandstone and brick. It has a traditional design with the main entrance on the north side. The gardens were planned to give amazing views of the hills.
Inside, the hall has grand rooms like the Library, Music Room, and Dining Room. There's even a rare Etruscan Room upstairs. Many famous artists and craftsmen worked on the hall. The beautiful paintings and the case for the 18th-century organ were done by an Italian artist named Biagio Rebecca. The organ fills one wall of the Music Room!
Some rooms are open to the public sometimes. The Cupola room, which was once Lady Egerton's dressing room, is very special. It has mirrored walls and a domed ceiling, and there are only three such rooms left in Britain.
Cool Features of Heaton Park
The Temple
The Temple was designed by James Wyatt in 1800. It's a small, round building with a domed roof. This Grade II listed building is on the highest point in Manchester. From here, you can see great views across the golf course. The Earl who owned the park used it as an observatory with his telescope. Today, artists use it as a summer studio, and it's also used for astronomy sessions.
Dower House and Bees
The Dower House was a simple brick building that was made fancy in 1803. In front of it, there's a "ha-ha". This is a hidden ditch that keeps animals away from the gardens without blocking the view. Since 2004, the Dower House has been home to the Manchester and District Beekeepers Association. You can see an observation hive and learn about bees here!
Smithy Lodge
This unique "pepperpot" building is at the east entrance to the park. It was designed in 1806 and is shaped like an octagon. It was built to look pretty from the main house and to be a home for the lodge keeper. The name comes from a blacksmith's forge that used to be nearby. The lodge has been restored and can now be rented for short stays.
Grand Lodge
The Grand Lodge was built in 1807 as an impressive main entrance to the park from the south. It looks like a big triumphal arch and led to one of the longest drives to the house. It was restored and can also be rented for short stays. There's a special plaque here that remembers the Manchester Pals soldiers who trained in the park during World War I.
Western Pleasure Gardens
These beautiful gardens were created in the early 1800s as a quiet place for the family. They have been restored to their original design with pools and summerhouses. There's even a cool tunnel that looks like a natural cave. It allowed cattle to be moved to the farm without disturbing the gardens.
The Orangery
The orangery was added to the house around 1823. It was probably built for Lady Mary Stanley, who loved plants. It used to have a beautiful glass roof. Today, the orangery is used for events and conferences.
Boating Lake
The 12-acre (4.9 ha) boating lake was built between 1908 and 1912 by unemployed men using only shovels! It has three islands and is home to many birds like geese, ducks, and swans. You can rent rowing boats in the summer. The lake is also popular for fishing, with lots of different types of fish.
The Colonnade
An interesting structure in the park is the Colonnade. This used to be the front of the old Manchester Town Hall in King Street. When that building was going to be taken down, people fought to save its front. So, the Colonnade was moved and put back together in the park, at the end of the boating lake.
Walled Garden and Horticultural Centre
The 18th-century Walled Garden was where the Earl of Wilton grew fruits and vegetables for his family. The walls create a warm space for plants to grow. Today, staff at the Horticultural Centre grow plants for the city and sell them to the public. There are also special gardens you can visit, including a sensory garden.
Farm Centre and Animal Centre
The farm centre was originally built as stables for Sir Thomas Egerton. Now, it has the Stables Cafe and is the park's office. The Animal Centre is behind the stables. It was built in 2003–04 and has goats, cattle, pigs, donkeys, alpacas, and other small pets.
Heaton Park Tramway
Soon after Manchester Corporation bought Heaton Park, the tramway was extended into the park in 1903. This made it easy for visitors to come from Manchester. Over time, buses replaced trams, and the tramway was covered up.
Later, people decided to bring the tramway back! Work finished in 1979, and the Heaton Park Tramway officially opened on March 28, 1980. The line has been made longer and now goes through the park to the boating lake. There are 14 trams in the collection!
Heaton Park Golf Course
The golf course at Heaton Park is a championship-level course. It was built on what used to be the deer park and has great views of the Pennines. Designed by famous golfer John Henry Taylor, it opened in 1912. The 11th hole is very challenging, with a shot across water. In 2005, it was voted the best city golf course in England.
Events at the Park
Heaton Park has hosted many big events. On May 31, 1982, Pope John Paul II held a special Mass here for over 100,000 people. A monument in the park remembers this event.
Music Events
In 1909, a gramophone salesman played recordings of famous singer Enrico Caruso in the park. About 40,000 people came to listen! This was one of the first open-air gramophone concerts in Britain.
Since the 1980s, many outdoor concerts have been held here. Bands like Oasis and The Stone Roses have played to huge crowds. The annual Parklife Weekender music festival is also held at Heaton Park.
In 2016, the park hosted a concert and exhibition to remember the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. People made special tiles that formed a path through the park.
Theatre and Sports
Heaton Park has also hosted open-air theatre shows. Feelgood Theatre Productions has performed many plays, including Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
For sports, there's a 5 km (3.1 mi) run organized by Parkrun every Saturday morning. The park also hosts charity runs like the 'Race for Life'. Every year on November 5th (Guy Fawkes Night), there's a big bonfire and firework display.
Gallery
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Heaton Hall and ha-ha
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Lions guarding the south entrance
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Lakeside Cafe
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Heaton Hall
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Fungi in the park
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Swan and cygnet
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Morning mist from the temple
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Open space in Heaton Park
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