Philips Park-Facilities

Come and visit Philips Park, see what’s to do and how you can make the most of your experience here: Allotments

Located next to the Community Orchard (opposite Fairclough Street entrance). If you’re keen to exercise your ‘green fingers’, or are simply looking for gardening tips, then this is the place to visit! For more information contact the City Allotments manager on 0161 226 3322.

Children’s Play Area

Two play areas are within the park.

Play Area under 8s This play area is located near the Lodge on Stuart Street and intended for use by young children. It includes slide, swings and interactive play equipment.

Play Area over 8sThe over 8s play area is located near the allotments off Stuart Street and intended for older children. The equipment gives lot of fun adventure and a zip slide which has proved to be very popular.

Gardens

Tulip Valley, containing ornamental flowerbeds, located to the back of the park towards the cemetery.

Located towards the back of the park near the cemetery Tulip Valley got its name in the early twentieth century from the spectacular floral displays that filled its ornamental flower beds. These were a celebrated annual feature that attracted thousands of visitors to the park, particularly during the weekend of ‘Tulip Sunday’ (usually the first or second Sunday in May) when the display was at its most vibrant, with over 50,000 individual flowers in full bloom.
Today Tulip Valley contains an array of ornamental flowerbeds, and two ‘Tulip Trees’ that have been planted in honour of the valley’s history and the flower that made it famous. In spring and summer, when the flowers are in bloom, the sheltered valley offers an oasis of bright colours in which to relax, unwind and escape the bustle of city life.

“People flocked from all parts of the city and surrounding areas in their Sunday best clothes to parade around the flower beds. There would be parents with their children, playing on the grass, feeding the ducks or licking an ice cream cornet as they came though the gates.”
Pritchard, F (1986) My Manchester. Neil Richardson.

Peace Gardens, including a Peace Mosaic installed in 2003, located next to the bowling green. An oak tree was planted in 2007 to commemorate all the people who worked in the industries in east Manchester. The peace garden is the original location of the first bowling green in Manchester.

Community Orchard

Next to the allotments (opposite the Fairclough Street entrance). The site has many apple trees and is designed to bring a warm welcome to visitors.

Bowling Green

Bowling greens are situated behind the Visitor Centre next to the Peace Garden. The local Bowling Club meets regularly, offering a warm and sociable welcome to new beginners, as well as more experienced bowlers. For more information contact Philips Park Visitor Centre.

Ball Court

A multi-purpose ball court incorporating quick cricket, five-a-side football and basketball is located next to the Children’s Play Area at the Stuart Street entrance.

Natural Play

There are a number of paths with different walks, lots of green space and wooded areas offering lots of open space for running and playing. Let you imagination run wild!

Toilets

Located in the Visitor Centre. A disabled ramp allows easy access for wheelchair users. Please note: the toilets are open during office hours only.

Visitor Centre.The Lodge

Located next to the entrance on Stuart Street, the Visitor Centre (or ‘Lodge’ as it is also known) is an historic building, which today provides a range of information and services relating to the park. The design for the lodge was commissioned in 1868 from the architect Alfred Derbyshire, who was also responsible for Manchester’s famous Palace Theatre. It was built for the sum of £529 – approximately £35,000 in today’s money.
The Lodge was completely refurbished in 2002, when it was officially opened to the public as a Visitor Centre. Despite the refurbishment, the building remains virtually unaltered inside and out, retaining all of its original character. Since then, it has enjoyed regular use by the local community and visitors alike.
Facilities include toilets, information about events, historical displays. Please feel free to use the facility when the warden is in the park.
Want to visit or more information? Contact East Area Parks 0161 223 8278

A series of maps showing walking routes are available in resources on the
website.