Southport’s most iconic park turns 150 years old today (Thursday May 15th)
Botanic Gardens in Churchtown was officially opened for the first time in 1875 by the Rev Charles Hesketh.
Popular local historian David Walshe explained how the Reverend also laid the foundation stone for the conservatory that same day.
He added “Mellor & Sutton were the architects, John Shaw of Manchester the landscaper and Mr W. Fish curator and the total cost was £18K.”
The gardens were built on land acquired from the Hesketh Estate.
Notably, the famous showman Phineas T. Barnum served as an advisor during the museum’s construction and donated his top hat, which was displayed in the museum. It’s now kept safe at The Atkinson.
After World War I, the gardens experienced a decline in patronage, leading to their closure in 1922 but they were later reopened in 1937 by Southport Corporation.
In the 1980s, the Friends of the Botanic Gardens Museum organization was formed to prevent the museum’s closure and to support its operations.
Despite these efforts, the museum was closed in 2011 as part of cost-cutting measures by Sefton Council.
In recent years, there has been renewed interest in rejuvenating the Botanic Gardens. Sefton Council has backed the development of a major scheme for the gardens, exploring possible funding streams with a suggested figure of £5 million. The council is working with the Botanic Gardens Community Association and other stakeholders to achieve this.