Birkenhead Park
OS Grid ref:- SJ3189
Designed by Sir Joseph Paxton and opened in 1847, Birkenhead Park was the world's first publicly funded park. After visiting the park in 1850, American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted incorporated many of the features he observed into his design for New York's famous Central Park. The park was designated a conservation area in 1977 and declared a Grade I listed landscape by English Heritage in 1995.
The Roman Boathouse
The concept was to create an idealised countryside landscape of open meadows, naturalistic woodland belts and lakes, which are shaped to appear as sinuous rivers with views across to features such as the Boathouse and Swiss Bridge. The Roman Boathouse with its Doric style pillars, is an impressive feature and has an attractive pebble mosaic floor. The brightly painted Swiss Bridge dates back to 1847 and is unique as being the only "covered bridge" of traditional wooden construction in Britain. It was modeled after similar wooden bridges in Switzerland.
The Swiss Bridge
The Grand Entrance is the main entrance to the park. Within the Grand Entrance are the North and South Lodges, both Grade I listed buildings. The park, which has recently been given an £11 million restoration, has a children's play area, 2 cricket clubs, tennis courts, bowling greens, football pitches and modern visitor centre with exhibition area and coffee shop.
Right- the Visitor Centre
