Belle Vue Pleasure Gardens - mini archive 2

In 1836, John Jennison opened the amusement park. Belle Vue was Manchester's center of entertainment. But not only as the home of fairground rides.

Belle Vue provided a wide range of activities for the public, which kept it so popular for many years; such as the zoo of exotic animals, the Belle Vue Gardens and the circus. They, just like Blackpool Pleasure Beach were constantly thinking of  new ideas to keep the public coming back. For example, the owners had the animals dress in clothes and walk them around the park to entertain.

In 1872, Belle Vue Zoo owner bought an Asian Elephant from Edinburgh for £880. The elephant was named Maharajah and was brought to Belle Vue Zoo by travelling over 10 days walking 200 miles. Maharajah the elephant spent 10 years at the zoo entertaining the public as one of the most popular attractions. Visitors now pay respect to Maharajah at the Manchester Museum where the skeleton has been preserved.