Birkenhead Park

Birkenhead Park

Birkenhead Park
Birkenhead
Wirral
Merseyside
CH41 0DA

Tel: 0151 652 5197
E-Mail: comments@wirral.gov.uk

Web: Birkenhead Park

About Birkenhead Park

Birkenhead Park Conservation Area was designated in June 1977. It is universally acknowledged to be the first publicly-funded park in Britain, and provided the inspiration for the design of Central Park, New York and for the Victorian "Public Parks Movement", which extended a permanent influence throughout this Country and beyond. It currently possesses Grade 1 status within the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. It is located approximately 1 mile to the north-west of Birkenhead town centre on the Wirral Peninsular. It also abuts the settlements of Oxton and Claughton and it is near to the historic village of Bidston.

During the 1820s, 1830s and early 1840s, Birkenhead grew from a small village to a burgeoning town. Its rise in fortunes being given impetus by its location on the River Mersey and its proximity to the expanding seaport and mercantile centre of Liverpool. With a growing population and relatively cheap land the Commissioners of Birkenhead purchased 226 acres, of which 125 were to be allocated for public use. The remainder was to be sold for the erection of detached villas and terraces and by fixing the rental value of the dwellings at a high standard the respectability of appearance and regularity of design would be ensured.

Birkenhead Park has no one, overriding architectural style, but is instead characterised by its particular mix of influences. The 19th century buildings can be broadly split, however, into two categories, although there are overlapping elements- Classical / Italianate Vernacular Revival / Gothic. The different period styles are unified by common features of design such as gate piers, boundary railings and substantial landscaping.