Incredible UK zoo with 2 million visitors a year closed forever - opened in 1836

Incredible UK zoo with 2 million visitors a year closed forever - opened in 1836The wildlife attraction welcomed hundreds of animals and counted one famous elephant among its residents. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By James Johnson 15:18, Fri, Jun 5, 2026 Updated: 15:23, Fri, Jun 5, 2026 The zoo has closed forever (Image: Belle Vue Zoological Gardens/Facebook)It began as the pipe dream of a Stockport entrepreneur and grew into a destination for millions of people from across the world. Belle Vue Zoological Gardens, launched in 1836 by John Jennison, who had previously experienced success after opening an aviary with his wife. window.scriptsToLoad.push({url:'https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=118222&vp_content=plembed3a6btjknzwqh&cbuster=%%CACHEBUSTER%%&playerApiId=v118222',triggeredBy:'tcfLoaded',delay:1500,containerId:'ovp-primis',title:"Primis player",beforeLoad:()=>{window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v118222"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}})},}) Over the next 100 years the attraction would go on to feature an exotic array of animals, adrenaline-inspiring rollercoasters, and circus attractions. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Get the day's biggest headlines in UK and World news and more Subscribe Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy Much-loved zoo forced to close with £3.5million debt after 56 years World's 'best' zoo opened in 1973 and has over 4,000 animals The site ended up providing Manchester with its very own theme park, attracting visitors from across the world.Asian elephants, chimpanzees, and l...