Croxteth Country Park
OS grid ref:- SJ405961
Croxteth Country Park in Liverpool was once the country estate and ancestral home of the Molyneux family, Earls of Sefton, which since 1972 has been owned and managed by Liverpool City Council.
Imposing Croxteth Hall was built in around 1575, and has been expanded in several stages in Tudor, Georgian, and Queen Anne styles. The principal front, the west façade, was dates to 1702. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert stayed at Croxteth Hall on 9 October 1851 before visiting Liverpool the following day. The Molyneux family lived at the Hall from the sixteenth century until 1972, when the last Earl died. His American-born widow Josephine, Countess of Sefton (1903–1980) , once a close friend of the Duchess of Windsor and nicknamed "Foxy" because of her auburn hair, continued to spend some time at Croxteth. She became the last member of the Molyneux family to live in the hall. When the last Earl of Sefton died, , a worldwide search was made for an heir to the title which met with no success. Much of the Molyneux estate has since been sold for development, but approximately 500 acres (2.0 km2) remain as a country park, which is open to the public and includes various play facilities for children.
A new addition is the West Derby Courthouse, dating back to Tudor times, this is one of the oldest public buildings in Liverpool. The park contains Mull Wood, which is part of the 85 hectares (210 acres) Croxteth Local Nature Reserve. In partnership with Lancashire Wildlife Trust, the reserve been doubled in size. One of the improvements to Mull Wood is the sowing of a Wildflower Meadow, situated near the Old Kennels.
The traditional Victorian farmyard is home to an important collection of rare farm breeds of the past, while Jungle Parc is a high wire forest adventure which has two difference courses where visitors can trek, swing and climb through the trees on over 45 different activities created to cater for all abilities. There is also a miniature railway, an adventure playground and an orienterring trail. The park is one of the major heritage centres of the North West, attracting thousands of visitors every year.
The Country Park and car parking are free of charge.