9 amazing photos of Belle Vue Zoo in Manchester which welcomed the community for 140 years

For well over a century, Belle Vue Zoo was a fun family oriented place to visit. Located in Manchester, the zoo was full to the brimming with exotic and wonderful animals. 

The zoo opened in 1836, meaning it was one of the oldest zoos in the UK. The zoo drew visitors from far and wide until its closure in 1977. 

Financial difficulties was one of the main reasons the zoo was forced to close its doors, bringing to an end decades of it as a popular tourist attraction. 

In 1977, the year the zoo closed, photographer Phil Denson captured a range of brilliant photos depicting the zoo.  The images show some of the animals at the zoo as well as visitors during a trip there. 

To see more of these wonderful photos and to purchase any for yourself, visit Phil’s website.