Belle Vue Manchester, A trip to the fair by Renaissance

Belle Vue is an area of Manchester, England, east of the city centre. The area is best known for the former Belle Vue Zoological Gardens and Belle Vue Stadium. The zoo opened in 1836 and in the 1870s a small amusements area was added which developed into a major amusement park in the 20th century. It occupied a 96-acre site and at the height of its popularity attracted 2,000,000 visitors annually. In 1910 the Kings Hall was opened, housing The Hallé for several years and hosting major concerts over the years. The zoo closed in September 1977 due to mounting debts. The amusement park remained open on summer weekends until 1980. The land was sold in 1982, and the site finally cleared in 1987. Music: Renaissance are an English progressive rock band, best known for their 1978 UK top 10 hit "Northern Lights" and progressive rock classics like "Carpet of the Sun", "Mother Russia", and "Ashes Are Burning". They developed a unique sound, combining a female lead vocal with a fusion of classical, folk, rock, and jazz influences.[1] Characteristic elements of the Renaissance sound are Annie Haslam's wide vocal range, prominent piano accompaniment, orchestral arrangements, vocal harmonies, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, synthesiser, and versatile drum work. The band created a significant following in the northeast United States in the 1970s, and that region remains their strongest fan base.

Added 29 Jul 2026