Zoo at Eastham Ferry

Fallax

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
I saw there was some old threads about this but I thought it was worth discussing in a new one. I used to go to the woods around Eastham Ferry in Merseyside a lot when I was younger and it contains the remains of an old zoo/menagerie with exhibits such as a bear pit and signage with information about the former zoo. I always used to try and find information about it online but there really seems to be not that much known about this place. Does anyone know much about the history of this place?
 
I saw there was some old threads about this but I thought it was worth discussing in a new one. I used to go to the woods around Eastham Ferry in Merseyside a lot when I was younger and it contains the remains of an old zoo/menagerie with exhibits such as a bear pit and signage with information about the former zoo. I always used to try and find information about it online but there really seems to be not that much known about this place. Does anyone know much about the history of this place?
There is some information in Clinton Keeling's books, mainly in "Where the Zebu Graze" and "Where the Penguin Plunged". While these books are out of print "Where the Zebu Grazed" is scheduled for republication by The Bartlett Society later this year. Clinton Keeling is of the opinion that Eastham ( and not Belle Vue, that is often cited) was the zoo where George Mottershead saw an elephant whose appalling conditions influenced him to ensure animals would never be kept that way when he later created Chester Zoo. In addition to the probable elephant (about which no further details seem to be known) this seems to have been a fairly large collection, with lions, leopards, zebra, seals, at least three species of bear, elk, camels and tropical birds listed.
 
I saw there was some old threads about this but I thought it was worth discussing in a new one. I used to go to the woods around Eastham Ferry in Merseyside a lot when I was younger and it contains the remains of an old zoo/menagerie with exhibits such as a bear pit and signage with information about the former zoo. I always used to try and find information about it online but there really seems to be not that much known about this place. Does anyone know much about the history of this place?
Such threads as this would surely be better posted under the 'Zoo History' section? - rather than the general UK one.
This would make future reference much easier...
 
Such threads as this would surely be better posted under the 'Zoo History' section? - rather than the general UK one.
This would make future reference much easier...
However, republication of ‘Where the Zebu Grazed’ is really something to look forward to:)
 
However, republication of ‘Where the Zebu Grazed’ is really something to look forward to:)
Indeed, the others too hopefully in good time. I had most of the originals direct from the author, and regret not being more careful with them. All disintegrated with use...
 
Indeed, the others too hopefully in good time. I had most of the originals direct from the author, and regret not being more careful with them. All disintegrated with use...
Oh yes, excited to have them all in time. I’ve got ‘Lion’ and ‘Crane’, beautifully produced, and the hybrid one ditto. Good old Bartlett Soc, I say!
 
Such threads as this would surely be better posted under the 'Zoo History' section? - rather than the general UK one.
This would make future reference much easier...
That would make more sense yea, a move would be appreciated.
 
There is some information in Clinton Keeling's books, mainly in "Where the Zebu Graze" and "Where the Penguin Plunged". While these books are out of print "Where the Zebu Grazed" is scheduled for republication by The Bartlett Society later this year. Clinton Keeling is of the opinion that Eastham ( and not Belle Vue, that is often cited) was the zoo where George Mottershead saw an elephant whose appalling conditions influenced him to ensure animals would never be kept that way when he later created Chester Zoo. In addition to the probable elephant (about which no further details seem to be known) this seems to have been a fairly large collection, with lions, leopards, zebra, seals, at least three species of bear, elk, camels and tropical birds listed.

Clin was very fond of Belle Vue. I can't help feeling that coloured his view of the Mottershead story.

Since GSM was brought up in Sale, on the outskirts of Manchester, a trip to BV seems much more likely than a trip to Eastham.

Just saying.

(I've got quite a bit on Eastham tucked away somewhere - must check it to see if I can find any suggestion of an elephant)
 
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