Platt Fields Park in south Manchester is my local park. It’s one of the ‘big three’ parks in Manchester, a venue for events and other happenings. The other two are Heaton Park in the north and Wythenshawe Park in the south.

Manchester Platt Fields south side of lake at dusk

Platt Fields is centrally located just south of Rusholme and the curry mile. Attractions include the Hall, now costume museum, the Shakespeare Garden, the boating lake and of course the wide open grassy spaces that make the name ‘Platt Fields’ seem just right.

But Platt Fields is different today to how it was. In the past, there was a swimming pool, a paddling pool, a bandstand and a pets corner, all of which have disappeared. There used to be a cafeteria in what is now the Lakeside Centre, and a pavilion next to the tennis courts which was only demolished in the last year or so.

Nevertheless, the park has improve very much in recent years, not least thanks to the Friends of Platt Fields Park, who have organised a range of very successful events which have people into the park from far and wide.

Platt Fields is a precious piece of Manchester, and let’s not forget it was saved for the people of Manchester thanks to a campaign led by William Royle. Its anniversary is in 2010 and I understand there are lots of events planned.

Click to see my Platt Fields photos in the photo portfolio

Summary: Beautiful park in south Manchester, with former mansion house, boating lake, sports facilities, childrens play areas, and… as the name suggests, fields - several of them.

History: Buiilt in the first decade of the 20th century, an idea of William Royle. It’s named after landowners Platt who were here since the middle ages.

Trivia: It was bought for 59,975 pounds 200 labourers toiled to dig out the boating lake. The soil was used to make artificial hills

Amusing: In the war they took away the fences but left the gates, which were still locked at closing time!

Mysterious: A surviving section of Nico Ditch begins here, but no-one knows exactly what Nico Ditch was for, or who built it.

Celebrity connections: Hallé conductor Sir John Barbirolli lived at Appleby Lodge overlooking the park.

Platt Fields is located around 2.5 miles south of Manchester city centre on Wilmslow Road. Postcode (Platt Hall) M14 5LL

My verdict: Platt Fields is a wonderful park with a special magic, but it had more magic in times past when it was better maintained, had an outdoor swimming pool, model boat pond a bandstand and scary park attendants who made sure the park was tidy. Improvements have been made in recent years, but there is still some way to go.

Click here to download and listen to a fascinating description of Platt Fields during the 1930s and war years, provided by Elizabeth Davis

Visit the website of the Friends of Platt Fields Park www.plattfields.org