Wirral Heritage Open Days 3- 11 September 2016 Wirral Heritage Welcome Open Days 2016 Heritage Open Days celebrate our Wirral’s nine day programme lasts As Wirral’s Heritage Champion, I am Heritage Open Days is a national event outstanding architecture and culture from September 3 – 11. Our heritage delighted once again to welcome you to which Wirral is proud to contribute. by allowing free access to properties is second to none and Heritage Open to Wirral Heritage Open Days. The 2016 Over the years visitor numbers have many of which are normally closed to Days give both visitors and residents programme gives visitors the chance to increased and our local open days the public or charge an admission fee. the chance to explore and enjoy its explore a wide range of historic buildings now draw in people from well outside wealth of history and architecture. and landscapes as well as providing an Wirral as well as from the peninsula Throughout the country, thousands of interesting series of tours, events and itself. Admission to all events is free. historic buildings and sites will open their and Heritage Association website: activities, organised by voluntary groups doors and local people will organise www.wirralhistoryandheritage.org.uk. and individuals, and all aimed at giving This year’s programme has been organised countless events and activities to both local residents and visitors alike a by the partnership of the Wirral History promote their community’s heritage. Downloadable copies of this programme unique opportunity to discover more of and Heritage Association and numerous Information about Heritage Open Days are available on www.visitwirral.com. Wirral’s remarkable history and heritage. dedicated people who open up buildings, regionally and nationally is available put on displays and organise heritage on www.heritageopendays.org.uk Whilst most events take place within Wirral As always, I have been impressed by the walks and talks especially for the event. Borough, we are delighted to publicise energy, commitment and enthusiasm of Wirral’s Heritage Open Days is Wirral’s activities in south Wirral. For further those who have given their time to put I should like to thank all those who biggest heritage event and draws in information about Heritage Open Days the programme together and I have no have contributed to the programme several thousand visitors. It is organised in West Cheshire contact Chester History hesitation in assuring visitors to Wirral and the many individuals who by the volunteers of the Wirral History and and Heritage on 01244 972210 or email Heritage Open Days that there will be give of their time so freely to make Heritage Association in partnership with [email protected] something of interest for everyone. Heritage Open Days a success. numerous voluntary groups and individuals. Every attempt has been made to ensure the Many of Wirral’s heritage attractions Do please use the nine days to see accuracy of information in this brochure, are open to the public throughout and do as much as you can. which has been supplied by individual the year, so do please come back events organisers. However, Wirral History again and experience the wealth of history... it belongs to us all ! and Heritage Association cannot be heritage that Wirral has to offer. responsible for any discrepancies or last Elizabeth Davey, Chairman, minute changes to the programme. Any Councillor Jerry Williams, Wirral History & Heritage Association updates will be shown on our website. Wirral Heritage Champion 2 www.wirralhistoryandheritage.org.uk www.wirralhistoryandheritage.org.uk 3 Events Calendar: Buildings Open to View Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun LOCATION SITE NAME PAGE HOUSE SITE NAME PAGE 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th Bebington St Andrew’sChurch 9 New Brighton St James’ Church 18 Bidston Bidston Lighthouse 9 New Brighton St Andrew’s United 18 Bidston Bidston Windmill 10 New Brighton The Dome of Home 19 Bidston St Oswald’s Church 10 Oxton Christ Church 19 Birkenhead Park Parkgate St Thomas’s Church 20 Birkenhead 11 Grand Entrance Birkenhead Priory Port Sunlight Christ Church URC 21 Birkenhead 14 & St Mary’s Tower Port Sunlight Port Sunlight Museum 20 Birkenhead HMS Conway 11 Prenton United Birkenhead Prenton 21 Birkenhead 12 Reformed Church Central Library Rock Ferry St Anne’s RC Church 21 Our Lady of the Birkenhead 12 Immaculate Conception Thornton St George’s 22 Hough Birkenhead Quaker Meeting House 13 Thurstaston Shore Cottage 22 Birkenhead High School Birkenhead 11 Academy WW2 Shelters Holy Apostles & Wallasey 22 Martyrs Church Birkenhead St James’ Church 14 Wallasey Rake Lane Chapel 23 Birkenhead Wirral Transport Museum 15 Wallasey St Hilary’s Church 23 Birkenhead Wilfred Owen Story 13 Wallasey St Mary’s Church, Liscard 17 Bromborough Bromborough 15 Pool Pool Buildings Wallasey Wallasey Town Hall 23 Bromborough St Barnabas Church 15 Wallasey Wallaseyans’ Club 24 Eastham St Mary’s Church 16 West Kirby St Bridget’s Church 25 West Kirby Methodist Leasowe Leasowe Castle 16 West Kirby 24 Church Leasowe Leasowe Lighthouse 17 West Kirby West Kirby Museum 24 St Mary & St Neston 18 Helen Church Woodchurch Holy Cross 25 4 www.wirralhistoryandheritage.org.uk www.wirralhistoryandheritage.org.uk 5 Events Calendar: Walks, Talks and Activities Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun LOCATION SITE NAME PAGE LOCATION SITE NAME PAGE 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th Bidston Community 610 (County of Bidston 27 Hooton 31 Archaeology Chester)Squadron Bidston Bidston Hill Walk 27 Hooton Hooton Park Tour 31 Flaybrick Past, Little Neston Bidston 27 Little Neston 32 Present and Future Colliery Walk Flaybrick Maintenance Bidston 28 Ness Ness Botanic Gardens 32 & Partnership Bidston Flaybrick Friends’ Walk 28 Neston Neston Town Trail 32 Flaybrick What Bidston 28 New Brighton All Around the Vale 32 Happens Next New Ferry Butterfly Birkenhead American Civil War Tour 28 New Ferry 33 Park Walk Birkenhead Park Birkenhead 29 New Ferry New Ferry Historic Walk 33 Friends’ Heritage Walk Birkenhead Park Oxton Guided Birkenhead 29 Oxton 33 Ranger’s Walk History Walk Birkenhead Wilfred Owen Trail 29 Port Sunlight Open Village Walk 34 Williamson Art Birkenhead 30 Port Sunlight River Park Walk 34 Gallery Tour Birkenhead Wirral Archives 29 Rock Park Rock Park Walk 34 Bromborough Bromborough Pool Rake Lane 30 Wallasey 35 Pool Buildings Walk Cemetery Walk RSPB Burton Mere Burton 30 West Kirby Ashton Park Walk 35 Wetlands Eastham Ferry and Eastham 31 West Kirby Old Village Walk 35 Country Park Walk 6 www.wirralhistoryandheritage.org.uk www.wirralhistoryandheritage.org.uk 7 Though somewhat Bebington Bidston overshadowed by its Buildings St Andrew’s Church Bidston Lighthouse neighbours, Liverpool and Church Road, Bebington, CH63 3EX Wilding Way, Bidston, CH43 7RA Chester, the Borough of Tues 6 Sep, 10am to 3.30pm Sat 3, Mon 5, Tue 6 & Sat 10 Sep Open to Wirral can nevertheless Guided tours: 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm Doors open 12.45pm to 4pm boast that it has a wealth of Guided tours: 1pm, 2pm, 3pm historic buildings. There are 9 View Scheduled Monuments, one The world’s most inland lighthouse was of which, Birkenhead Priory is established at the Bidston signals station in 1771, starting a revolution in lighthouse included in Heritage Open Days. optics. The site later became a station We have almost 2,000 Listed in the Liverpool-Holyhead telegraph. Re- Buildings, the most outstanding built in 1873 by George F. Lyster, the new of which have been awarded building combined the telegraph (now Grade I or Grade II* listed electric) and lighthouse functions. status. A selection of these, For further information see: as well as sites in south www.bidstonlighthouse.org.uk Wirral, will be open to view during Heritage Open Days. Soft drinks and snacks available for purchase. The church is a Grade I Listed Building, with parts of the structure dating from the Norman Souvenirs & second-hand books period. The architectural historian, Raymond for sale. Fantastic views from lamp Richards, considered it to be the finest church room. Height restriction applies in Wirral. It is an active Anglican parish church, (minimum 106 cms /42 ins). with historical records dating from 1093. Limited parking available. If coming by No booking required. car the only access is via Wilding Way. There is disabled access to the church but no wheelchair access to toilets. Pre-booking required. Book online at Light refreshments available. www.bidstonlighthouse.org.uk/events/whod Contact: Mrs Karen Davies Contact: Amanda: 0151 645 6478 0151 653 7816 [email protected] www.standrewsbebington.org.uk The lighthouse is open to the public on selected weekends during the warmer months. Admission to ground floor and bookshop free. Guided tours to signals and lamp rooms £2.50 (adult), £1 (child). Private tours by arrangement. Further information about the Lighthouse, its history and opening times can be found at: www.bidstonlighthouse.org.uk www.wirralhistoryandheritage.org.uk 9 St Oswald’s Church Bidston Windmill Birkenhead Grand Entrance, Bidston Village Road, Bidston, CH43 7QT Access via footpath from Tam Birkenhead Park Thu 8 Sep 10am to 4pm O’Shanter Farm Car Park, CH43 7PD Birkenhead High School Park Drive, Birkenhead, CH41 4HD Sat 3 Sep, 10am to 12 noon, Academy WW2 Shelters Sat 3 & Sun 4 Sep, 10am to 3pm last entry 11.45am 86 Devonshire Place, Birkenhead, CH43 1TY Sat 10 & Sun 11 Sep 1pm to 3pm Sat 10 & Sun 11 Sep, 9am to 2pm A brick built tower mill, erected to replace a The impressive Grand Entrance, with its wooden peg mill, destroyed by fire in 1791.