Liverpool and its surrounding areas are abundant with historic sites and interesting spots, such as being home to the world’s first purpose-built public library, as well as founding the first public park in the world. Birkenhead Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site in its own right, being a “pioneering People’s Park”, and “a major innovation of modern society”.
The history behind the first public park in the world
Birkenhead Park was the first public park in the world, worthy of praise for its innovative vision. The world’s first claim is not for parks in general, as that would not be accurate, but for the world’s first publicly funded park.
Laid out in the 1840s, the park was the pinnacle of the newly built town of Birkenhead during the Industrial Revolution. As industrial cities usually housed the poor in unfortunate living conditions, the park was built to serve as a space of respite to those looking for solace and peace, even for a moment.
Birkenhead Park was, and still is, freely open to everyone, no matter their walks of life. To this day, the green space serves as an important destination for the community, as the people of Wirral and Liverpool continue to rejoice in its picturesque surroundings.
Birkenhead Park is the masterful creation of Joseph Paxton, known for his innovativeness as a horticulturalist and landscape designer. Paxton took inspiration from the English Landscape School, bringing it to the public for everyone to see.
Now, the park’s design has barely been changed, functioning very much in the way it was originally designed. UNESCO has remarked, “The Park is remarkably intact. All original built features – including the gateways and lodges – remain intact, and the original parkland layout has not been altered.”
Things to do at Birkenhead Park
On top of admiring its stunning design and vistas, guests can enjoy a proper day out at Birkenhead Park. There is a cafe at the Visitor Centre for those after a little treat or a drink, as well as two lakes, Swiss bridge, a Roman boathouse, football pitches and bowling greens and a fitness trail.
What is more, the park’s woodland walks are phenomenal, and well worth a wander. And if you want to meander further out, check out Mimosa Tea Garden, which will make you feel like you’re in Bali.