Hough End Playing Fields

These significant playing fields are located directly south of the city centre, adjoining the Princess Parkway leading from the city centre to the M56.

Hough End fields are well used for playing sports, and this open area makes a pleasant landscape. The soil is sandy in composition, and consequently dries easily and recovers quickly from the hard wear the pitches receive during the winter months.

The Alexandra Park Aerodrome on what is now the Hough End fields was opened in 1918 for the test flying and delivery of locally built aircraft for the RAF. On the first day in which civil flying was permitted after the First World War, Lt Col Sholto Douglas - later to command RAF fighter command in the Second World War - landed there in a converted bomber with ten passengers.

The first UK domestic air service was from Alexandra Park Aerodrome to Southport and Blackpool and commenced on 24 May 1919. This was followed in 1922 by regular services to London, which later extended to Berlin and Moscow.

Aircraft competing in 1922 and 1923 King's cup air races called at the Aerodrome, and there were a number of displays before it closed in 1924.