Belle Vue

Belle Vue was a holiday destination for many families and people of all ages. The attraction opened in Manchester, in 1836 and closed in 1977, and between this time an average of 2,000,000 excited holiday makers made there way through the famous gates every year. Belle Vue offered a wide range of entertainment from the fairground, circus, zoological gardens, ballrooms and the biggest firework exhibition outside of London, lasting 20-30 minuets long, every evening from May to september. The majority of families would often stay all day to watch these famous shows. This was a cleaver ploy by Belle Vue, as they knew staying all day would make them more money through the public having to buying food and drink. However this famous holiday destination was well known for the exotic animals they kept in their zoo. Many of which the population of Britain had never even seen in pictures before. Being able to see, touch and even ride these exotic animals attracted more and more people to Belle Vue.

Belle Vue also kept a monkey who became very famous for wearing children's clothes, smoking a pipe and drinking beer, his name was Consul and he was much loved by the public and staff. Unfortunately he only lived for 5years, the average chimp should live to 40/50 years. This is thought to be down to the the poor living space, little food and not being looked after in captivity properly. When Consul died the park just brought another chimp and dressed him in the same jacket that Consul once wore. However the public soon realised the difference and complained about the behaviour of the new monkey. He then became known as Consul 2.