Birkenhead Park Visitor Centre

Famously designed and almost twinned in aspects with America’s Central Park, although this is a beautiful spot to take a walk, I wouldn’t recommend walking alone here at night, and even in the daytimes sometimes. When studying in Birkenhead I definitely heard of muggings on more than one occasion as students strolled through the park at lunchtimes. Sadly it seems the place designed for the public to behave as a community can sometimes fall prey to those who wish to disrupt the very community to once they belonged.
It’s good for a jog though, or a dog walk, but not at night. It’s got very idyllic scenery and water features for those who feel relaxed sitting near a pond. They have recently invested a lot of money into a huge glass pavilion which has a café for the public to use. Personally, I think that if this money had been invested into full time park security and better facilities, then it would be a much more enjoyable place for all

A ‘Park for the People’ were the design aims of Joseph Paxton. It is the first publicly funded park in the world. The concept was to create an idealised countryside landscape of open meadows, naturalistic woodland belts and beautiful lakes. They are features such as the Boathouse and Swiss Bridge.
English Heritage recognised its continuing importance when they declared it a Grade I Historic Park in 1995. Quite rightly so!
There is lots to do here and much flexibility in that you can walk, cycle, jog, fish, seek out the play area and play a variety of sports including tennis, bowling and cricket.
As part of the £11.25 million restoration scheme, they added a glass pavilion which houses a new visitor facility with café and exhibition gallery.
They is space to park if you are coming from a distance or would just prefer to spend more time walking around the park.

Birkenhead Park is a quiet getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. It has just completed an £11 million restoration which is a big boost for Wirral.
This park has a children’s play area but if you want a little me-​time, visitors can stroll, cycle, jog, fish and play a variety of sports whilst others may wish to relax in Cappuccino’s Coffee Shop. If none of that is what you fancy, then why not visit the local and national displays in the stunning new visitor centre and enjoy floral displays and magnificent trees.
This venue is not just a park because you can join in the walks, talks, crafts, drama, art and family activities in the exciting events and education programmes too.
The park is free of charge and is open daily from dawn till dusk. The visitor centre is also open daily from 9.30am to 4pm except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

Birkenhead Park was designed in the mid 1800’s by Joseph Paxton. Supposedly other parks around the world have been inspired by this design, including New York City’s Central Park.
My husband used to play here when he was a kid. His parents lived nearby for a short time while his dad was in college. The first time I visited was about a year ago after we moved from Liverpool to the Wirral. I’m from the countryside in Maine USA, so I love parks and woodlands and any little patch of green I can find.
You could easily spend an entire day at Birkenhead Park. We wandered the trails and admired the flowers and trees, the lakes and boathouse, and the Swiss bridge. Besides the beautiful landscape, you will also find a playground, cricket clubs, tennis courts, bowling greens and more.
There is also a fairly new visitor information centre with a café.

Its a nice place where you can take the kids for a game of football or just to relax.

A large park with plenty of space to play football with your friends or have a picnic. Very easy to get to with parking all around the park. A new café has opened with a great selection of hot and cold snacks and meals, at a reasonable price. If you have small childen there is a safe and secure play area with seating which includes swings, see saw, climbing frame and slide.
For families and couples there is a large pond which is lovely to walk round on a warm day.

A beautiful park, one we should be proud of, as locals. My children love it here, it is just spoilt on occasion by some undesirables generally hanging around making nusances of themselves. Sometimes feels a little vulnerable here, ans it is such a shame. Lots of money has been spent on this beautiful park, but I think the yob element spoil it for everyone

Birkenhead Park was designed by Sir Joseph Paxton. His concept was to create an idealised countryside landscape of open meadows and naturalistic woodland belts. The lakes are shaped to appear as sinuous rivers with views across them to features such as the Boathouse and Swiss Bridge. incorporated surrounding land into the park which was sold at an enhanced value for housing to help pay for the building of the park.
He also provided a separate perimeter road for traffic which allowed the park interior to be enjoyed by pedestrians.
In 1850 F.L. Olmsted, an American, visited the park as part of a tour of Europe. Olmsted later became famous as the designer of Central Park, New York into which he incorporated many of the features he first observed in Birkenhead Park.
Paxton’s original design remains largely intact. In 1977 the park was designated a Conservation Area and in 1995 declared a Grade 1 Listed Landscape by English Heritage. love this park.

Another place close to my heart, mainly through my rugby playing days although there have been one or two other reasons why this most English of parks means so much.
Designed by Sir Joseph Paxton, Birkenhead Park is acknowledged to be the first publicly funded park in Britain.
The concept was to create an idealised countryside landscape of open meadows, naturalistic woodland belts and beautiful lakes, which are shaped to appear as sinuous rivers with views across to features such as the Boathouse and Swiss Bridge.
It is thought that his design was the model for many parks around the world, including Central Park, New York.
Following a £11.25 million restoration scheme, the park was officially re-​opened in June by, Birkenhead-​born actress, Patricia Routledge CBE.
A VIP ribbon-​cutting performed at the park’s famous listed gatehouse officially marked the end of the major renovation scheme which has seen the park’s famous Swiss Bridge, Boat House and Grand Entrance restored, along with new bridges, paths, and railings. Much of the original planting has also been restored, reinstating the park’s status as a national treasure.
One of the most exciting aspects of the scheme is a new £1million glass pavilion a brand new visitor facility with café and exhibition gallery.
There is so much to see and do in Birkenhead Park, including a large adventure playground for children, 2 cricket clubs, tennis courts, bowling greens, football pitches and fishing.
If you are visiting Liverpool then a short trip ‘over the water’ is well worth it to see this Jewel in the crown of Wirral.