The Manchester Tiles Letter Z – Belle Vue Zoological Gardens
£35.00
If you lived in Manchester in 1836 then your idea of a capital night out was Belle Vue Zoological Gardens – a zoo, amusement park, exhibition hall, and speedway stadium all in one. This Belle Vue Zoo tile captures that legendary Manchester heritage in ceramic form. Conceived as a genteel middle class excursion it quickly became one of the most popular attractions in the north west, expanding so much in the 20th century that it hosted concerts by huge names, including Jimi Hendrix, Nat King Cole, and Johnny Cash.
Our Z tile pays homage to the sheer breadth of entertainment and good times enjoyed by visitors till it closed in 1987, from Jim Lea freestyling a solo for Slade to circus performers (human and flea), and of course the animals who called it home: check out our M for Maharajah Tile at Manchester Museum.
Each Belle Vue tile is designed here in Manchester then handrolled and glazed in the UK’s ceramic heartland Stoke-on-Trent, before returning for artwork firing in local kilns. A fitting end for a quintessentially Mancunian statement.
Material: Ceramic
Size: 6in x 6in.
