Belle Vue Zoological Gardens in Manchester, a beloved family theme park and zoo, closed permanently in 1977 after a 140-year history marked by fires, theft, and animal killings, culminating in financial losses of roughly £100,000 a year.
A Storied History
The site first opened in 1836 as the brainchild of John Jennison, an entrepreneur from Stockport, and became the first privately financed zoo in the country. It occupied 165 acres at its peak and welcomed over two million visitors annually. The zoo's animal collection grew to include monkeys, kangaroos, rhinos, lions, and bears, and was handed over to Jennison's children in 1870.
The amusement side, advertised as the "showground of the world," featured rides such as the 60 mph Bobs roller coaster, the scenic railway, the Caterpillar, the Ghost Train, and the Flying Sea Planes. A 1943 Picture Post described the Bobs: "You’re pulled up by a chain to a height of 85 feet, then travel a mile at a speed of 60 mph. On top of the first big dip, you feel sure you’ll fly off and land in Scotland."
The King's Hall and Wartime Survival
Belle Vue opened The King's Hall in 1910, hosting concerts by icons such as Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Nat King Cole, The Rolling Stones, Leonard Cohen, Johnny Cash, and Led Zeppelin. The zoo survived the Second World War, though animal keepers were issued rifles in 1939 to deal with potential dangers if animals reacted to bombs. Animals were watched 24 hours a day, with night shifts, and keepers struggled with rations, experimenting with foods as bananas became impossible to obtain and fish difficult to supply.
Fires and Animal Deaths
Fire became a major hazard in later years, with the most devastating blaze in 1958 destroying several buildings, including the Coronation Ballroom. The fire nearly reached the lion house, distressing an older lion so much that she had to be put down. In 1960, intruders broke in and killed 38 animals, including nine penguins.
Despite these challenges, it was financial struggles that ended Belle Vue. The zoo closed in 1977 after mounting losses of roughly £100,000 a year. The amusement park continued on weekends through the summer until it too became unviable. The entire site was cleared by 1987, and nothing remains but memories. The site has since been rebuilt with housing developments, modern apartments, and a school.
