Heaton Park is one of Manchester’s most well-known and beautiful parks, which not only hosts Parklife festival every year, but also houses some incredible historical buildings including the Hall and Orangery, the latter of which has been closed to the public for over 10 years. Plans to refurbish the Orangery in Heaton Park following a 12 year hiatus have now received planning permission by the council, and are set to make this beautiful part of Heaton Hall accessible to the public once again.
The Orangery was added to the house around 1823, designed with a domed, glazed roof, and a garden at the front with two large copies of the iconic Borghese Vase, known the world over. The roof of the Orangery was removed after the park was bought in 1902.
The plans will see the Orangery, last open in 2012, undergo a refurbishment to bring the much loved building, steeped in history, back into use. The planned works to the interior of the Orangery are the latest in the continued investment in the Hall, which saw the Council and Historic England invest over £2.1m in 2018-19 in works to the external fabric of the Grade 1 listed building to ensure it remains wind and weathertight.
The work to the Orangery will focus on new flooring, a full redecoration, new doors, upgraded toilets and a full overhaul of the electrical and heating systems including a new low carbon air source heat pump in line with the council’s commitment to become zero carbon by 2038. This will take place alongside a full electrical rewire of the whole of Heaton Hall.
Along with partners, Manchester City Council will work on this first fix to fit out the building which, taking approximately twelve months to complete, leaving a blank canvas for any future operating partner.
Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods said: “We are delighted that we can now get started on bringing this much-loved part of the building, steeped in history, back into use. We are determined to inject energy and vigour into this beautiful building and in the future work with a partner that will do it justice and bring it back into use as an events space to ensure its long-term future. I look forward to exciting times ahead.”
David Blood, Chair of Friends of Heaton Hall said: “The Friends of Heaton Hall is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year and we look forward to continuing to work alongside the Council and Historic England to restore the Orangery so that it can open its doors to visitors once again. We are excited by the news and hope that more people will get to experience a special place that is Heaton Hall.”
Meanwhile, you can visit Heaton Hall at Heaton Park, Prestwich, Greater Manchester, M25 2SW.