Guide of Liverpool Birkenhead

Birkenhead is a town across the River Mersey from Liverpool; the town is located on the Wirral peninsula, on the west coast of England.

A brief history of Birkenhead

The earliest records state that the Mersey ferry began operating from Birkenhead in 1150 when Benedictine monks under the leadership of Hamon de Mascy built a monastery there, but it was during the industrial revolution in the 19th century that the town expanded, shipbuilding and an ironworks began in the 1820s; and 1833 an act was passed to introduce street paving, lighting.  A regulating police force and a market were also established. In 1886, the Mersey Railway tunnel opened, providing direct railway access to Liverpool.

During the war, the town was in danger of being bombed because it was in close vicinity to Liverpool's port, which for many years had been the United Kingdom's main link to North America. The entire Merseyside region suffered during what was called the Liverpool Blitz; where 4000 people lost their lives. Subsequently, over 8,500 children, parents, and teachers got evacuated away from Liverpool and Birkenhead to rural areas and small towns in surrounding regions in 1939. In the second half of the 20th century, the town suffered a significant period of decline, due to the introduction of shipping containers, this caused a massive reduction in port activity and an economic downturn in Birkenhead.

Things to do in Birkenhead

It is excellent to take a ferry trip over the water to Liverpool from Birkenhead because you get such a fantastic view of Liverpool's beautiful waterfront. The main feature of the harbour is the Liver Building, which features two birds on the top of each corner; and legend has it that is if the birds ever fly away, or fall, then the city of Liverpool will be doomed! Once you have hopped over to Liverpool there is so much to do at the regenerated Royal Albert Dock; you can visit the Tate Gallery, a modern art gallery and just as impressive is the Merseyside Maritime Museum and International Slavery Museum. They are some of the best free museums in the UK and are crammed full of interactive exhibitions for children, covering topics such as maritime history, the connection with America, the Beatles and smuggling. There is even a walkthrough simulation of a slave ship, which is incredibly moving and essential to recall.

Beaches around Birkenhead

On the other side of the water along the dock road from Liverpool, you reach West Kirby beach. It is beautiful as the artist Anthony Gormley has created an art installation all over that beach that consists of 100 cast iron figures facing towards the sea. The metal figures are modelled on the artist's own naked body and were controversial before their installation in 2007, but now have become a permanent feature of the beach and are incredibly striking.