The centenary of the founding of Belle Vue was marked by a major construction project known as the Centenary Gardens. Once completed, the gardens provided a grand entrance to Belle Vue from the Hyde Road Entrance. A major feature of the garden was the two sided floral clock (shown above, courtesy of Tom Fish). When first built, the clock was surmounted by a statue of Buddha. Over the years changes were made to the clock including the removal of the Buddha, as you can see above. The Centenial Garden project, which cost, £50,000 also included the gibbon cage that you can see behind the clock and a monkey mountain , the rock-like structure beyond the gibbon cage.

In 1953, as part of the Coronation celebrations the clock was repaired and a special display was added to it. In 1957, the whole clock was also moved, along with the gibbon cage, to accommodate the water chute ride. They both found a new home between the Elizabethan Ballroom and the Elephant House.

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