Birkenhead Park

Author: Visit Wirral

(Swiss Bridge photo from Wirral Met College)

Designed by Sir Joseph Paxton and opened in April 1847, Birkenhead Park was the first publicly funded park in the world.  The creation of Birkenhead Park represented a significant stage in human development as a response to the poor health conditions brought on by the industrial revolution, creating a green oasis in an otherwise urban landscape.

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 iconic features such as the Roman Boathouse and Swiss Bridge. 

Birkenhead Park has influenced the design of urban parks across the World, and was the inspiration for the most famous urban park in the world – Central Park, New York.

In 2004, Birkenhead Park underwent an £11.3million renovation scheme which saw 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.

Today, Birkenhead Park is a Grade I listed historic landscape and conservation area, with many Grade II and Grade II* listed buildings and structures.  It is recognised as a site of excellence by Green Flag and holds the prestigious Green Heritage Award, as well as being awarded a Large Park sGold Award by the World Urban Parks organisation.

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 2 large fishing lakes.

With all this and more – a visit to Birkenhead Park is truly a day out in itself!

Please visit the website above and for information via the Council website click here.

Open All Year!