Guides to Belle Vue Zoological Gardens 1891-1917 provides a fascinating look into the history and evolution of one of Manchester's most beloved attractions. The collection of guides offers insight into the zoo's development over a 26-year period, showcasing the diverse range of animals, exhibits, and activities that were available to visitors during that time. The inclusion of detailed descriptions and illustrations adds to the immersive experience, allowing readers to envision what it would have been like to explore the gardens in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Overall, this book offers a valuable glimpse into a bygone era of zoological entertainment, making it a must-read for history buffs, animal lovers, and anyone interested in the cultural heritage of Manchester.

Book Description:
Guides to the Belle Vue Zoological Gardens from the Chetham's Library Virtual Belle Vue Collection. The Belle Vue gardens opened in 1836 as a place of genteel entertainment for the middle classes of industrial Manchester, but soon became one the most popular attractions in the north of England. The 1891 guide details the animals on view and the features of the amusement park. The 1917 guide notes the addition of new snake and ape houses, attractions such as Laughterland and a Figure of 8 Toboggan, and the Kings Hall, which hosted major concerts and sporting events through to the 1970s. The addition of a car park to the stabling for visitors who arrived with their own horse and carriage marked the passing of the years, yet the price of a cup of tea remained the same. Evening entertainments, featuring tableaux and firework displays against the backdrop of a painting erected on a 60 by 100 foot frame on the Picture Lake, were a popular feature. In the 1890s these entertainments documented military exploits from the heyday of British imperialism. In 1917 war was closer at hand. The evening entertainment of that year, commemorating the tank battle of the Ancre, was evidently a sombre affair that reflected the uncertainties of popular entertainment in the final years of the 1914-18 war.