Wythenshawe Park

Wythenshawe Park is a Green Flag awarded[1] park in Wythenshawe, Manchester, covering an area of 270 acres. Wythenshawe Hall lies at its centre.

Wythenshawe Park
Chestnut tree at Wythenshawe Park
Type	Public
Location	Wythenshawe, Manchester
Coordinates	53°24′15″N 2°16′29″W
Area	270 acres
Created	1926
Operated by	Manchester City Council
Awards	Green Flag

The park features woodland, bedding, grassland and meadows, sporting facilities, Wythenshawe community farm and a horticulture centre.[2][3]

History

Statue of Oliver Cromwell in the park

Wythenshawe Park North Lodge

The first evidence of landscaping in the grounds date to a 1641 estate map. Further landscaping was added in about 1830,[4] replacing fields.[5]

The structures of a farm that was located west of Wythenshawe Hall have survived as park maintenance buildings.

North Lodge, a Grade II listed gate lodge on its northern entrance was built in the Tudor style in the mid to late 19th century.[6]

A Grade II listed bronze statue of Oliver Cromwell was built in 1875.[7] Sculpted by Matthew Noble, it was in Manchester city centre from November 1875 to 1968, when it was moved to Wythenshawe Park.[8][9][6]

The park and hall were officially opened to the public in 1926 by Lord and Lady Simon 'to be kept forever for the people of Manchester'.[5]

Facilities

Facilities include an athletics track, a small farm, café, a baseball field, ten full sized football pitches, a pavilion, an orienteering course, horse riding facilities and tennis courts. .[2]

See also

• Wythenshawe Park Metrolink station

References

1. "Manchester wins 30 Green Flags". 2009-08-04. Retrieved 2019-08-16.
2. "Facilities in the park". Manchester Council. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
3. "About the park". Manchester Council. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
4. Historic England. "Wythenshaw Park (1000857)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
5. "Wythenshawe Park". Manchester Council. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
6. Historic England. "North Lodge of Wythenshawe Hall  (Grade II) (1255036)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
7. Historic England. "Statue of Oliver Cromwell approx.100m east of Wythenshawe Hall  (Grade II) (1255035)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
8. "Oliver Cromwell". Public Monument and Sculpture Association. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
9. "Listed buildings in Manchester by street (W)". Manchester City Council. Retrieved 18 March 2016.

Media related to Wythenshawe Park at Wikimedia Commons