Clowes Park, Broughton Park

CLOWES PARK – A municipal park gifted to the City of Salford in 1928, comprising the residual garden and lake associated with the Broughton Old Hall.

SALFORD PARKS: Clowes Park, in the Broughton Park District, of 15 acres contains a lake of 4 acres in extent and consists principally of 14 acres presented by Legh Algernon Clowes Esq to the Salford Corporation in 1929; half an acre was presented by Messrs F and E Darlington, and the remainder, with a lodge, was purchased by the Corporation. [Kelly’s Directory 1930]

GENEROUS GIFTS TO SALFORD – 14 ACRES FOR A PARK. Mr Legh Algernon Clowes, a member of an old Salford family, has, through his agents, made the munificent offer to present to the Salford Corporation for the purposes of a park, a piece of land 14 acres in extent. The site is on the north side of the Manchester Grammar School recreation ground and is approached by New Hall Road and Old Hall Road, above the junction of Bury New Road and Broom Lane. The land was formerly the grounds of the Broughton Old Hall but this fine old mansion was demolished some time ago. The grounds have been very  well preserved. They are belted with shrubberies, and are described as one of the beauty spots in the district. The site contains an ornamental lake, half an acre in extent, on which in frosty weather, local people have been permitted to skate, and at other seasons it has been the resort of anglers.

Messrs F and E Darlington, builders, of Kersal are developing an adjoining site in the erection of villa residences, and following representations by the Salford authorities, have generously offered to give to the Corporation a strip of this land so that the public may have more convenient access to the lake. The two offers were considered yesterday at the meeting of the Parks Sub-committee, who passed a resolution, asking the General Committee to recommend the City Council to accept them with the gratitude of the community. [Manchester Guardian 19 May 1928 page 15]

Mr Legh Algernon Clowes, a member of an old Salford family, has offered the Council at 14 acre site in Broughton Park, adjoining Broughton Old Hall. It includes an ornamental lake, described as a “miniature Windermere.” Three and a half acres in extent, the lake has been used for skating in winter and in summer for fishing, and will be a valuable addition to the city’s amenities. [Salford Reporter 19 May 1928]