Belle View: Archive

The Belle View Archive visit allowed a more insight into the Amusement Park. The park operated between 1836-1980, founded by John Jennison and his family, to keep all profits internal they made everything themselves, beer, fireworks, leaflets etc. In that era it was one of the biggest successes of it's time containing Europe's largest and fastest ride. The park attracted a mass amount of middle class families, due to the featuring of attractions people hadn't seen before, including; wild exotic animals, impressive fireworks, exhilarating rides and dramatic circus shows. Belle View was always promoted as something beautiful, enchanting and magical, but most of the time it was a dark place.

Arsenic Green

The animals however didn't last long, due to them being exotic no-one truly knew how to treat them so after a few weeks/months they died and Jennison bought new ones. When the animals got ill they were shot and stuffed to be stored in the Museum. One chimpanzee called 'Consul' he wore a striped suit, and rode a bicycle, he smoked weed and drank beer, eventually aged 5 years old he died on 24/Nov/1894. 

 The park was sold in 1920. However, the popularity of the whole park declined around 1960 due to better, more accessible places being available to go.