Eastham

A collection of old cottages and twisting narrow streets, the village is dominated by St Mary's Church, parts of which date back to the Norman period. There is a Yew tree in the churchyard thought to be nearly 2,000 years old.

Eastham was an important crossing point of the Mersey from the Middle Ages, a ferry service operated across the river to Liverpool.  In the mid 1800's Thomas Stanley the owner of the ferry built the Eastham Ferry Hotel and Pleasure Gardens to attract more visitors.  The gardens included a zoo, with bear pit, lions, monkeys and antelope, an entertainment stage, tea rooms, bandstand, ballroom, boating lake, water chute and a wooden roller coaster.

Eastham also grew in importance when it became the entrance port to the Manchester Ship Canal. The canal was opened by Queen Victoria in 1894. A Jubilee Arch built to celebrate 60 years of the Queen's reign was brought to the entrance of the Pleasure Gardens in 1897. Eastham was now in its heyday as a 'resort'.  Eastham Ferry was known as the 'Richmond of the Mersey', but its popularity declined and the last ferry crossing took place in 1929. The Pleasure Gardens, Iron pier and Jubilee Arch were later dismantled.

Today,  Eastham Country Park which is situated on the Wirral bank of the River Mersey,  provides superb views across the estuary with its abundant wildlife. The 100 acres of broadleaf woodland offers opportunities for peaceful walks, birdwatching and orienteering.  A network of surfaced paths provides access throughout the woodland.

A Visitor Information Centre and Rangers office are situated in the courtyard.

For further details please contact the Rangers Office 0151 327 1007.