In 1961 James Chipperfield of the famous circus and safari park family established a zoo on Southampton Common on a site near the present-day Hawthorns Centre. It was not a scientifically planned zoological garden, but a popular site for showing circus and other animals in transit or in retirement. By the 1980s conditions at the zoo had deteriorated and it became a target for animal rights protesters, who included the actresses Virginia McKenna – of Born Free fame - and Joanna Lumley. The zoo closed down in 1985.


Navigation


Browse A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y-Z

Search is temporarily unavailable, we are working to bring it online!

Get Involved

If you wish to

  • suggest additional information for this entry
  • suggest amendments to this entry
  • offer your own research
  • make a comment

then fill in the form on the Contact page.