Local Learning - St John's

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St John's Local Learning The Proposed Zoological Gardens

1835 proposed design for the Bristol and Clifton Zoological Gardens.

In 1836 the Bristol, Clifton and West of England Zoological Society acquired 12 acres of land including a cottage and limekiln at Summer Trenmoor in Clifton. It was intended to finance a Zoological Gardens on the site by selling shares at Ł25 each in return for lifetime membership to the society. By May 1836 284 shares had been purchased by prominent Bristolians such as I K Brunel, William Goldney and members of the Frys, Sturges and Wills famillies.

The Bristol Zoological Gardens officially opened on 11th July 1836, becoming the second zoological gardens in England and the fourth in Europe, after the Jardin des Plantes in Paris (1800), Regents Park, London (1828) and Dublin Zoo (1831).
This plan shows the proposed layout of the Zoological Gardens as designed by Richard Forest, although the society didn't raise enough money to create the gardens as planned the entrance lodges, Lion House, Bear Pit and Grand Terrace were built in time for the opening.

You can click parts of the map for more information.
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