The Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens, covering around twelve acres, first opened to the public in 1830, three years after the establishment of the Manchester Botanical and Horticultural Society. The land had been sold to the society at a very reasonable price by Thomas Joseph Trafford, who evidently supported the endeavour. The aim was to promote an interest in botany and horticulture, for scientifically-minded people but also for the general gardener. The Gardens were situated on ‘the Stretford Road’ (known today as Chester Road), in Old Trafford, where the White City Retail Park stands today.

A fruit and vegetable show was held to mark the partial opening of the Gardens in October 1830. The Manchester Guardian was full of praise, marvelling at the 'beautiful and ingenious' greenhouses and hothouses. 

The walks have all been laid out, the undulations of the ground necessary for its picturesque appearance have been formed, a portion of the proposed extensive range of greenhouses and hothouses has been constructed; and a considerable number of plants and shrubs have been put in the ground.

-  The Manchester Guardian, 23 October 1830

The Gardens became a fashionable resort for the people of Manchester and district. It was the scene of top-hats for the men and long dresses for the ladies, arriving and leaving in their private horse-drawn coaches.

- Samuel Massey, A History of Stretford, (1976)

Sources

Ann Brooks, ‘A Veritable Eden’: The Manchester Botanic Garden, A History, (Windgather Press, 2011)

Love and Barton, Manchester as it is, (Love and Barton, 1839)

Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 4 August 1827

Manchester Guardian, 8 March 1828

Manchester Mercury, 29 April 1828

Manchester Mercury, 5 May 1829

Manchester Guardian, 23 October 1830

Samuel Massey, A History of Stretford, (1976)

William Arthur Shaw, Manchester Old and New, (Cassell and Company Ltd, 1894)