It’s rumoured that on summer nights the faint ghostly sounds of zoo animals can be heard around the Elephant and Castle. Perhaps they are the remnants of the zoo that used to be there. Yes, a zoo, just off the Walworth Road.
Around 1831 Surrey Gardens (now known as Pasley Park, between Walworth and Kennington) and the surrounding area contained some of the first wild and exotic animals in England from across the world.
Rhinos, elephants, snakes, leopards and the first giraffes ever in Great Britain could be seen at this Lost Zoo known back then as the Royal Surrey Zoological Gardens.
Established by Edward Cross, this now forgotten 18-acre park was home to a 12,000 capacity music hall and huge ‘panoramas’ – lavish and extraordinary themed outdoor spectaculars featuring erupting volcanoes, Napoleon crossing the Alps and the even the City of Rome. At its peak up to 8,000 visitors a day attended this fantastic theme park, paying only a shilling each.
It was a favourite of Queen Victoria and the Royal children and even General Tom Thumb performed there!
The music hall was destroyed by fire in 1862 and the gardens closed down in 1877.
This Saturday there’s going to be a celebration of the zoo’s remarkable past on its 175th anniversary. There will be special tours around the area and workshops about Victorian etiquette, along with a whole host of historic displays. Animals will be coming along from Surrey Docks Farm and exotic planting specialists will be on hand from Walworth Garden Farm. The Cuming Museum will also be there with a collection of artefacts for handling.
The details…
What: The Lost Zoo of Walworth
When: Saturday 25 July, 12noon-5pm
Where: Pasley Park, off Manor Place, SE17
Cost: Free!
More: See the Southwark Council website for more details or call the culture line on 020 7525 2000.
Image: thanks to wynner3 on flickr, with CCL.
