Whitworth Park lies just over a mile from the centre of Manchester and at the end (or beginning) of the Oxford Road “Corridor” which is home to two universities, three hospitals and many cultural venues. It is overlooked by a clutch of modern apartment blocks and close to the vibrant residential communities of Rusholme, Moss Side and Hulme and Manchester Academy High School. The Whitworth Art Gallery (“the Whitworth”), was part of the founding concept and sits within the Park.
The Park (with its Gallery) was opened by the Whitworth Institute in 1890 who leased it (but not the Gallery) to Manchester Corporation, who have managed it since 1904. The University of Manchester acquired the Whitworth Institute in 1958.
The Park lost most of its original features through age and neglect in the second half of the last century. When the Friends of Whitworth Park set out in 2006 to reverse this decline, we decided that rather than restore it, fine though it was, we simply wanted to make it “a place of quiet resort” where the people from the diverse local communities, and those who work and visit the Gallery, the hospitals and universities, can relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings – just as the founders intended.
For more about the history of the Park see “History of Whitworth Park and Gallery“.
Friends of Whitworth Park 