Lark Hill Place

Take a step back in time to Lark Hill Place, an atmospheric re-creation of a typical northern street during Victorian times.

The street is set at the turn of the last century, although many of the items are older to show development over time. The ambience is set at teatime on a winter’s evening when the street gas lamps have just been lit. The sounds of children playing, horse-drawn carriages and a ‘knocker-upper’ fill the street. Walk down the street and take a peek inside the many shops and houses, including a toy shop, chemist, grocers, a blacksmiths and an artisan’s cottage.

Lark Hill Place was originally created in 1957 when many shops and houses in central Salford were being demolished to make way for new developments. Many of the shop fronts that are in Lark Hill Place today were saved and restored. The interiors have been furnished and are full of authentic objects, recreating the way they were used in Victorian times.

Visitors can explore the street and dress up in traditional Victorian costumes to really get in the spirit of things!

Shops in Lark Hill Place

• Mathew Tomlinson’s General Store – A typical ‘corner shop’ selling food, household items and sweets Mr Tomlinson is now dealing with rationing and a shortage of goods for his customers.
• The Music Shop – A campaign in the music shop is to send musical instruments to soldier at the front is going well, and they are now stocking the sheet music of the latest songs popular at home and on the front.
• The Printers – The printers has been busy printing material for recruitment drives, war campaigns and new advertising material for the shops of the street.
• Henry Radcliffe’s Toy Shop – Mr Radcliffe no longer stocks German toys but is trying to promote the sale of British made toys. Toys are in short supply due to many factories switching to the production of armaments for the war effort.
• The Blue Lion Pub – This corner pub is adjusting to new licensing laws regarding their opening hours and new legislation such as a rule banning the buying of rounds!
• John Hamer, Chemist and Druggist – Chemists have also had new legislation to control the sale of opiates, which had become a problem with soldiers returning home on leave or injured. They are also selling first aid supplies for families to send to relatives serving on the front lines.
• Artisan’s Cottage – A small living room where a whole family washed, cooked and ate, with a single bedroom above reached by a plank ladder. Mrs Brown has become involved in suffrage movement – look out for her sash and speakers badge.
• The Mansion House – The tow rooms in the mansion house show the conversion during wartime to a military convalescent hospital. The main drawing room is now a soldiers lounge with a medical office next door.
• William Bracegirdle, Blacksmith and Wheelwright – The forge was used to make iron parts for wagons and carts, craftsmen’s tools and horseshoes.
• Louisa Greenhalgh, Dressmaker and Haberdasher – Louisa Greenhalgh is promoting knitting for the troops with example, patterns and wool all on display.
• James Critchley, Clogger – James Critchley continues to mend boots and shoes – he is in demand as new footwear is hard to get hold of with the main focus for production being boots for the army.