Victorian palm house 'thriving' since restoration

A Liverpool landmark once left to decay has been hailed as a symbol of resilience nearly a quarter of a century after its restoration.

Sefton Park Palm House, the Grade II-listed glass-domed conservatory gifted to the city by philanthropist Henry Yates Thompson in 1896, fell into disrepair in the late 20th century before a major community-led fundraising effort brought it back to life. The building reopened in 2001 and will celebrate its 130th anniversary next year.

The Sefton Park Palm House Preservation Trust, which manages the site on behalf of Liverpool City Council, has released its first social and economic impact report. Between 2021 and 2024, the Palm House welcomed over 14,000 visitors, generating an estimated £6m boost to the local economy.

The charity said the building has become more than just a historic attraction. Since its restoration, the Palm House has hosted weddings, cultural events and exhibitions, and was recently featured on BBC One’s Antiques Roadshow.

David Ellis, chair of trustees, praised the community’s “passion and tenacity” in saving the structure, describing it as both a botanical treasure and a place of inspiration. Chief executive Kate Johnson added that its rich plant collection continues to support health, well-being and civic pride.

Designed in 1896 by Mackenzie and Moncur of Edinburgh, the octagonal iron-framed glasshouse was originally intended as the centrepiece of Sefton Park, housing more than 70 plant species. It was later damaged during the Second World War and remained inaccessible for decades until its late-20th-century revival.

The Trust said its new report demonstrates the lasting legacy of that campaign, showing how a once-derelict Victorian treasure has become a vital part of Liverpool’s cultural and economic landscape.