Friday 27 November 2009

Botanic Gardens Wavertree

Hello Liverpool History Society,

I am trying to locate the site of Liverpool Botanic Gardens in Wavertree, can you please provide any information on the location.

Best wishes

Jessica


 
 

2 comments:

  1. Hello Jessica,

    the old Botanic Gardens are in Edge Lane,Wavertree. Liverpool's Botanical Collection was brought to the city from all over the world through its maritime trade. The collection was established nearly 200 years ago and was the first in the North of England. A group of Liverpool botanists led by William Roscoe decided to form a private botanic garden on land near Mount Pleasant which was then on the outskirts of the City. In the 1830's the garden was relocated to this 11 acre walled garden in Wavertree. When the project ran into financial problems in 1841. Liverpool Corporation took over and opened the gardens to the public in 1846.

    The Botanic Gardens has been declining since 1964 after the city opened gardens in Calderstones, the glasshouses having been destroyed by German bombers, but steps have been taken to return this unique Victorian garden to its former glory.

    The walled garden is an historically significant site with one of its key features curved scrolled flower beds based on St George's Hall tiling. This extremely rare example of a Victorian walled garden is being earmarked for funding by Kensington Regeneration. The walled garden was laid out in 1856 after Liverpool Corporation purchased the site of Wavertree Hall in 1843. The Park includes the Grade II curator's lodge built between 1836-1837 in an classical style, the gardens have been allowed to fall into decay. After the last war, in fact, they nearly got turned into a training area for motorcyclists.

    A pamphlet to Wavertree Botanic Garden has been published by English Heritage providing a fascinating guide to the history of this Park.

    Regards

    Rob Ainsworth
    Programme Secretary/ Web Administrator
    Liverpool History Society

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  2. A complete history of Botanic Park and the Shipperies Exhibition of 1886 which was based nearby can be found in "The Light of Other Days" by John Hussey available www.countyvise.co.uk The history of the whole area is included - its rise, heyday and the reasons why it has fallen into decay.

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