Heaton Park Sound Walk

The Grand Lodge

Sir Thomas Egerton wanted an impressive entrance to the park and in 1807 he commissioned Lewis Wyatt, nephew of James, who designed Heaton Hall. The triumphal arch originally led to a long carriage drive up to the hall. The lodge has 2 two floors of accommodation, with cellars under the west wing and an attic over the arch. There is a memorial plaque to the 'Manchester Pals' who trained in the park during WWI. Today the lodge has been also been renovated and converted into self-catering accommodation.

Boating lake and boat house

The boating lake was not part of the original estate, but constructed between 1908 and 1912. Teams of previously unemployed men created the 12 acre lake and three islands using only shovels and hand pulled carts. During the summer months today boats and pedalos are available to hire. It is also possible to obtain fishing permits from the park’s host fishing club, the King William IV Angling Society.

Hutments and Prefabs by Sheepfoot Lane and Middleton Road

From September 1914, this area was used as a tented camp for four battalions of the Manchester Regiment. In 1915 the park became a convalescent centre with the tents replaced by wooden army huts and used by recuperating soldiers. In the early 1920s they were converted into accommodation, with some buildings used for a shop, washhouse and bathhouse.