The Friends of Buile Hill Park

Our park is located within the Pendleton area of Salford approximately 3 miles north-west of Manchester city centre. It has had a long and varied history with links to many important historical figures. Some of the lesser known facts include links to a certain Mr L.S Lowry, a one time local rent collector who frequented the park before gaining recognition for his works of art. Emmaline Pankhurst the local girl turned suffragette and Frances Hodgson Burnett the author of the classic children's novel "The Secret Garden"  rumoured perhaps somewhat romantically to have been written during one of her many visits to Buile Hill Mansion.  Even the many natural springs that arise within the park have a justified claim to fame being the vital suppliers of water to a local textile industry that included the firm of Ermen & Engels. With the family business to draw upon Friedrich Engels became the financial muscle behind Karl Marx.

Buile Hill Park has evolved over five centuries from the 16th century to the 20th century as land has been acquired and boundaries belonging to neighbouring estates merged. It's development as a public park began in the latter part of the 19th century.

Both Manchester and Salford were extremely influential in the public parks movement.  With the opening of Peel Park in 1846 Salford has a contentious claim of being home to the World's first Public Park.  The devastating effects of the Industrial Revolution on areas such as Ancoats and Hulme in our neighbouring city of Manchester led to Salford rapidly establishing a series of smaller parks within its many neighbourhoods before the surrounding areas were built on. In response to this Seedley, Broughton and Ordsal Parks were created and opened in 1876.

Adjacent to Seedley Park lay the Buile Hill Estate, home of the 1st Lord Mayor of Manchester. Due to the success of Seedley Park and the by now overwhelming demand for more parks negotiations began with the owners of the Buile Hill estate. In 1902 the Buile Hill estate was eventually bought. A year later it opened as Buile Hill Park. In 1925 the adjoining Hart Hill Estate was bought and finally in 1927 the large mansion of Springfield residence was added. The merger of the Springfield Estate with Seedley and Buile Hill Park removed the last physical barrier between the two parks and the whole area became officially known as Buile Hill Park.

Today Buile Hill Park covers an area of approximately 35 hectares. Whilst some of the historic features have been lost over the past century the park itself has survived largely intact. In July 2001 its historical significance was recognised by English Heritage and it is now a Grade ll listed park of national historic importance. During the past 3 years a slow but steady series of improvements has begun. New play areas have been built, many of the once grand carriageways re-surfaced, dangerous trees have been replaced and areas of planting renewed. Home to the popular Buile Hill Park Banqueting Suite and the Salford Consortium Training Centre the park provides an attractive environment for many local people. Containing an 18 hole pitch & putt course, bowling greens, tennis courts, tropical plant collections, play areas, picnic areas and an open air venue for funfairs and events it remains Salford's favourite public park.

If you care about our park why not join the Friends of Buile Hill Park?