Longford Park

Facilities

• Longford Athletics stadium
• Firswood Community Centre
• Tennis courts
• Basketball Court
• Bowling Green
• Pets corner
• Disc golf
• Junior and senior play areas
• Climbing boulder
• Larry Sullivan Gardens and Seating Area
• Longford Hall Gardens and Seating Area
• Wildlife garden
• Toilets
• Full size football pitch
• Café

Items of interest

Additional Facilities

• First Stretford (Longford) Scouts
• Rylands Kitchen Garden / Community Allotment
• Walking and cycling routes

National Lottery Heritage Fund People, Place and Nature Project and Bid

We are working with The Friends of Longford Park, lead consultants The Environment Partnership (TEP), environmental charity City of Trees and a range of other partners to develop a vision and masterplan that will guide the restoration and improvement of the park’s key assets and facilities; support our climate emergency response; reconnect people with heritage and nature and secure the park’s long term sustainable management.

The masterplan will be the product of engagement with local people and groups, and will form part of a major funding bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund later this year. Read about the People, Place and Nature Project.

Friends group

The park has an active friends group who raise funds, stage events and activities and work to increase the community use and participation in the park.

If you would like more information about the Friends of Longford Park and other varied volunteering roles available in Longford Park please contact them:

Website: https://friendsoflongfordpark.org.uk/

Events: What’s On at Longford Park

Email: info@folp.org.uk

History

Longford Park’s current layout dates back to 1857 when Longford Hall and its associated grounds were constructed and laid out by John Rylands, the famous cotton magnate, Manchester’s first multi-millionaire and later benefactor of many civic buildings in Stretford including Stretford Public Hall, Rylands Hall (Union Church), a free library and public swimming baths.

John Rylands married Enriqueta Tennant in 1875 and they lived together at Longford Hall until John’s death in 1888. Enriqueta founded The John Rylands Library on Deansgate in 1899 in her late husband’s memory and it is now widely recognised as one of the world’s finest libraries. Enriqueta was herself awarded the Freedom of The City of Manchester in October of that year.

Following the death of Enriqueta in 1908, the Longford estate and hall were sold to Stretford Council in 1911 and the site was opened as a public park in 1912.

Many buildings and features of the Rylands era remain, whilst the resident scout group is also one of the oldest in the country, having been in the park for over a century. More information on the park’s history and associations can be found on The Friends of Longford Park’s website and via John Rylands Library and Research Institute.

Getting Here

Longford Park is located on Edge Lane, Stretford, Manchester M32 8PX.

Public Transport

The park is easily accessible by public transport with Stretford Metrolink Station a short 600m walk away and bus stops directly next to the park on Edge Lane and Kings Road. Plan your journey to Longford Park.

Car

There is a large public car park beside the Trafford Athletics Stadium, accessible from Ryebank Road. There is also a smaller car park close to the Scouts’ premises and southern disc golf entrance, accessible from Cromwell Road. However, this can fill up quickly at peak times.

Please do not park along the access roads or in ‘resident only’ areas, as this can prevent access for residents, businesses and emergency services.

Accessibility

For more detailed information about the accessibility of Longford Park, please visit the DisabledGo website.