Ardwick Green is a public space in Ardwick, Manchester, situated less than two miles south-east of Cross Street Chapel in the city centre.

The Green began as a private park for the residents of surrounding houses before the city acquired it in 1867 and turned it into a public park.

Ardwick is believed to have been one of the first suburbs of Manchester and a central feature that remains today is  St Thomas Church. Said to be the third oldest church in Manchester, this elegant Georgian  building is Grade II listed and was consecrated by the Bishop of Chester in 1741. 

Now, as the St Thomas Centre, the building was, until recently, the headquarters of the Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation.  It still hosts meetings, conferences and events, and its rooms are dignified with the names of inspirational people, including, of course, Elizabeth Gaskell. It is also said that William Gaskell, when he first arrived in Manchester, lodged at a residence on Ardwick Green. 

The Green is a pleasant place to visit, and is less than a mile from Elizabeth Gaskell’s House on Plymouth Grove, which is also in Ardwick. 

More information about the Green itself here, https://www.parksandgardens.org/places/ardwick-green

And information, including history, about the Thomas Centre is at https://stthomascentre.org.uk/

David Barnes