- Salford’s Peel Park, dating back to 1846, has been registered at Grade II
- A statue of the first MP for Salford, Joseph Brotherton, which stands in the park, has also been listed at Grade II
- The pioneering park is one of the first free municipal public parks in a major industrial city
- Artist LS Lowry trained in the neighbouring Peel Building and featured the park in a number of his paintings and drawings
- Planned to be accessible to all, with a focus on play, sport, and promenading, Peel Park showcases visionary design
- Help add to the story of Peel Park by contributing your memories and photos via the Missing Pieces Project
Peel Park, dating back to 1846 and one of the first free municipal public parks in a major industrial city has been registered at Grade II by Historic England, together with a statue of Joseph Brotherton MP, which has been listed at Grade II by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, following advice from Historic England.
The park’s historic value is heightened by its association with the artist LS Lowry, who trained in the neighbouring Peel Building and featured the park in a number of his paintings and drawings.
Planned to be accessible to all, with a focus on play, sport, and promenading, Peel Park showcases visionary design elements for its time. The park's design by Joshua Major, a nationally recognised landscape gardener, adds a layer of distinction to its heritage.
The lower park of Peel Park retains the original design features, with lawns defined by tree-lined paths, areas for play and sport, and beds and paths dating back to 1851.
Peel Park's significance is enhanced by its close relationship with listed buildings, such as Salford Museum and the Peel Building and its historical connection to Queen’s Park and Philips Park in Manchester - together the first free municipal public parks in a major industrial city.
Joseph Brotherton MP statue
The 1858 statue of Joseph Brotherton MP, which stands within the park, has also been listed at Grade II. Brotherton, Salford’s first MP and a prominent campaigner for parliamentary reform, championed causes including free trade and pacifism, and chaired a committee set up in the 1840s to create suitable parks for the rapidly expanding population of the area.
Brotherton’s statue has substantial artistic merit, the work of the notable designer, Matthew Noble, who acted as Salford’s sculptor in residence. The sculpture portrays the MP in his natural element as a speechmaker, with a cotton bale and cloth depicting the source of Brotherton’s wealth.
The decision to add the park and statue to the National Heritage List for England follows extensive restoration work carried out by Salford City Council, with the statue of Joseph Brotherton returned to its original place in 2018.
Sarah Charlesworth, Listing Team Leader with Historic England, said:
“Peel Park is an excellent example of early municipal park development. Its association with influential figures in social history such as Joseph Brotherton MP and the artist LS Lowry, together with its lasting impact on park design, justifies its place on the national register.
“Peel Park has long been a cherished space for the community, offering a unique blend of history, recreation, and natural beauty. Its registration at Grade II will not only preserve its rich heritage, but also reinforces its role as a public space, for the enjoyment of everyone, for generations to come.”
Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, said:
“This is really welcome news that this important statue and our historically significant park have been entered onto the National Heritage List for England. What this means is that these two hugely important pieces of our city’s heritage are now protected for future generations to enjoy and discover.
"We’ve always been passionate about telling the unique story of Salford’s past as a city of ‘firsts’ and a hotbed of creativity and innovation and we continue to be committed to celebrating and protecting the parts of this story. So it’s immensely pleasing that both the Brotherton Statue and Peel Park itself have now both been recognised nationally.
"Joseph Brotherton is such an important and iconic figure in Salford’s history and his legacy still very much reverberates and shapes the city and its thinking today, along with being a source of inspiration internationally – certainly assisting in putting the city of Salford on the map! He was Salford’s first Member of Parliament, giving locals a voice nationally, and through his reformist thinking, Christian faith and drive to create a fairer society for all, his values, beliefs, ethos and approach to life remains a blueprint that inspires people, while also highlighting the importance of history in the march of time as we look to the future.
"Joseph Brotherton’s family moved to Salford in 1789, with his father establishing a cotton and silk mill here. His industrialism was characterised by a social conscience, which is illustrated through his campaigning against the death penalty, for the abolition of slavery and for free non-denominational education. Within our city, Joseph Brotherton is largely considered responsible for the establishment of Peel Park, Weaste Cemetery and was instrumental in seeing the Municipal Corporations Bill 1835 (Municipal Reform Act) become law, which established a uniform system of municipal borough, governed by town councils and elected by rate payers – local government, the city of Salford's progressive social and political history owes a lot to Joseph Brotherton, who continues to this day to be a source of inspiration, especially when we consider matters such as tackling the climate crisis, new municipalism, standards in public life, the public sector ethos and the direct delivery of services through local government (insourcing).
"Peel Park as well is a source of local pride, having been the first free public park in a major industrial city in the UK, opening in 1846, and funded almost entirely by the people’s donations. When it opened, it was pivotal in driving societal change, cutting through the social status of the day and bringing residents from all walks of life together to enjoy the many benefits of leisure time and open spaces. Who would of thought that ensuring everyone has free access to a public park would of been a radical innovation? History teaches us that it was and I'm so proud to be part of a great city known for its innovation, sense of solidarity and community, and social and political progressiveness."
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- Date published
- Saturday 9 December 2023