page_title: Chorlton-cum-Hardy
section_title: Sport and recreation
hierarchical_section_title: Chorlton-cum-Hardy / Sport and recreation
caption_attribution_description: English: Chorlton-cum-Hardy, The Sedge Lynn English Heritage-listed former billiard hall, excellently converted into Wetherspoons pub. Built 1906-10 by the Temperance Hall Billiard Company, whose members would no doubt be turning in their graves to see its present use. Barrel roof with metal trusses, stained glass windows. Cask beers on offer at my visit: Exmoor Beast, Greene King Abbot &amp; IPA, Marston's Pedigree, Theakston's Old Peculiar, Wells Bombardier. For full description of its architectural features, see https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1268311
context_page_description: Chorlton-cum-Hardy is a suburban area of Manchester, England, three miles southwest of the city centre. Chorlton ward had a population of 14,138 at the 2011 census, and Chorlton Park 15,147.
  By the 9th century, there was an Anglo-Saxon settlement here. In the Middle Ages, improved drainage methods led to population growth. In the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, its rural character made it popular among the middle class. The loss of its railway station, the conversion of larger houses into flats or bedsitters, and significant social housing development to the south of the area changed its character again in the 1970s.
  Historically, Chorlton was a village on Lancashire's southern border with Cheshire, and a township within the ancient parish of Manchester. It was incorporated into the city of Manchester in 1904. Chorlton borders Stretford, Sale, Didsbury, Withington, and Whalley Range. The River Mersey runs past Chorlton along its southern boundary. The area's eastern boundary has changed since the 19th century because of incorporation into the City of Manchester and division into wards.
context_section_description: In the early 19th century bull-baiting, badger-baiting and cockfighting were popular but were outlawed by an Act of Parliament of 1835 and the last bull-baiting in Chorlton is recorded the same year. Prize-fighting, horse and foot-racing, and wrestling took place on the meadows and led to disorder. If the forces of law and order appeared participants and spectators could escape across the Mersey into Cheshire and continue their sport. Horse races are said to have been held on land now part of Chorlton Park in the 16th century.
  After the Second World War the Chorltonville  owners' committee sold the recreation area and tennis courts which were absorbed into gardens of adjoining houses, and the rest became a football ground, now owned by West Didsbury & Chorlton A.F.C.Broughton Park RUFC which was established in 1882 in Salford, moved to Hough End in 2004.
  South West Manchester Cricket Club, one of the oldest in the Manchester area, are members of the Saddleworth & District Cricket League: the ground is at Ellesmere Road North, the old clubhouse is what was Hobson's Hall Farm. Chorlton-cum-Hardy Cricket Club is based at Hardy Lane.
  An area of what is now Chorlton Park was used many centuries ago for horse racing. As a public park it dates from 1928: there are gardens, many trees, and recreational facilities. The Recreation Ground, Beech Park, was opened in 1896, donated to the community by Lord Egerton.
  Longford Park also is the home of Trafford Athletics Club. There is a synthetic six-lane track that is used heavily in the summer for regional competitions and British Milers' Club meets. Below the main stand is Longfords Gym, run in association with the Athletics Club. There is an 18-hole free to play disc golf course, community football pitches and all-weather tennis courts.
caption: The Sedge Lynn public house, Manchester Road, formerly a Temperance Billiard Hall
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