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Piccadilly Gardens.

Now a public 'square' in the centre of Manchester, it does have a grassy area but nothing that can be described as a garden.

From 1755 to 1910 this was the site of the Manchester Royal Infirmary.
Next to the Infirmary was the Lunatic Asylum which was moved to Cheadle in 1849. After the Infirmary was removed from the site it was made into the largest open green space in the city centre.
Prior to 2000 there was a lower, sunken garden which arose from the former Infirmary basement. There were well kept flower beds, park benches and a wide promenade around the statues.

In the mid 60's Piccadilly Plaza was built on the western side of the square.

In the 1980's the Metrolink took a large area in front of the Plaza.

The Gardens were redeveloped in the run up to the 2002 Commonwealth games.

The whole of the southern end was sold for an office development which dominates and completely overshadows the area. This sale was to help pay for the renovation.

The present large water feature/fountain is often scattered with litter but does provide ample entertainment.

The west side now 'features' a concrete wall that separates the gardens from the tram rails.

Fortunately, various statues and monuments still survive in the gardens, including a bronze of Sir Robert Peel by W Calder Marshall (1853), Matthew Noble's monument to Wellington (1856) and Onslow Ford's Queen Victoria Memorial of 1901.

This shows the fountain (yes there are people walking through it), the Victoria Memorial (Centre) and part of the large office redevelopment.

It is good to see people enjoying the space but I still miss the old gardens.

manchester a to z