A Community Effort Brings Fairy Dell Back to Life

 Nestled between the Middlesbrough suburbs of Marton and Coulby Newham, Fairy Dell Park offers a surprising oasis of tranquility.  This verdant escape boasts a rich history

A tranquil escape amidst the urban landscape. Fairy Dell was once part of the extensive grounds of Gunnergate Hall, built in 1857 for Quaker banker Charles Leatham. The Hall subsequently passed through several hands, including prominent figures like John Vaughan and the Bolckow family. Sir Railton Dixon, a shipbuilder and former Mayor of Middlesbrough, acquired the estate. The Dixons hosted lavish events, and the estate boasted impressive features like a lake with a boathouse, tennis courts, and greenhouses. 

 Unfortunately, Sir Railton Dixon's company collapsed in 1879, leading to a halt in the Hall's development. 

The estate changed hands again in 1901, and by 1946 having been used as a convalescent home for return soldiers , Gunnergate Hall was demolished having been abandoned, set fire to and vandalised.

 Middlesbrough Council acquired the land and although left to grow wild for a while was reborn as Fairy Dell and several housing esates.

 Remnants of the Victorian gardens remain, particularly the large rockery near the waterfall. The only surviving structures from the grand estate are High Lodge and Hunters' Lodge, which served as entrances to the property on Gunnergate Lane and Tollesby Lane. 

The Original watercolours  shown here date from 1888 and were created by Waymann Dixon who incidentally was one of the brothers who brought Cleopatra's needle to London from Alexandria.

Please let us know if you know the relationship between Waymann Dixon and the Dixons who lived at Gunnergate at the time as yet we haven’t confirmed it.