10 Facts About The Wirral You Didn’t Know

The Wirral is a beautiful part of the counties of Merseyside and Cheshire and is home to amazing beaches and the longest promenade in Britain. It is a place full of history and stories, as it is known as the ‘Birthplace of England’.

This saying comes from the bloody battle of Brunanburh (now known as Bromborugh) in 937. During this time, the battle of Brunanburh brought together two of England’s combined forces (Scotland and Norway).

If you are moving to the Wirral (whether it be West Kirby or elsewhere), or if you have been a resident for quite some time now, it can be nice to know a bit about the local area you are living in and what the best things to do on the Wirral are. 

The River Mersey Estuary runs between Liverpool and the Wirral. With a range of beaches to choose from, parks and green spaces, Wirral is a truly beautiful place.

Throughout this article, we will be discussing 10 hidden Wirral facts and statistics that you didn’t know. For more details, read on!

The Wirral Has The Longest Promenade In Britain!

This promenade is located in the North-East corner of Wirral, in New Brighton. This promenade has over two miles of space and is a great place to run or walk your dogs. It also offers breathtaking views of the Liverpool Skyline.

Wirral Holds The Oldest Brick-Built Lighthouse In The UK

The oldest brick-built lighthouse is called Leasowe Lighthouse, and it was built in 1763, therefore making it the oldest lighthouse in the UK. Located in Moreton on the Wirral Peninsula the lighthouse was built with the aim of safely guiding shipping to the port of Liverpool.

The last keeper to work in the lighthouse was a woman named Mrs Williams, and she was known as the only female keeper.

Two lighthouses were built at Moreton, known as the Upper and Lower Mockbeggar, and when they were lined up, they allowed for safe passage through the port of Liverpool (also known as the ‘Rock Channel’).

However, only one of the lighthouses remained intact after a storm in 1969 (this was the Leasowe Lighthouse); the other was destroyed before a replacement was built in 1771 on Bisdon Hill.

Birkenhead Park Inspired Central Park In New York

Did you know that the infamous Central Park in New York was inspired by Birkenhead Park? That’s right! Not only was it the world’s first public park, but it was also the inspiration behind New York’s Central Park.

Although Central Park is the world’s most famous park, it has close ties to the Wirral and is forever indebted to Birkenhead. So, if there was no Birkenhead Park to begin with, there would be no Central Park.

New Brighton Tower Was The Tallest Tower In Britain

New Brighton Tower opened between 1898 and 1900 and stood 567 feet high. This development was located at Rock Point in the north-east of Wallasey and was a steel lattice observation tower, however, it was neglected during World War 1.

This tower required a lot of renovation that the owners couldn’t afford, therefore, the dismantling of the tower began around 1919 before the metal was sold for scrap.

Find Your Perfect Home In The Wirral

Here at Liam Gretton, we are an estate agent based in the Wirral and offer services to a range of locations in the Wirral, such as Birkenhead, Bromborough, Irby, Moreton, Heswell, Greasby and much more. Our goal is to provide all of our clients with exceptional service and a range of homes to choose from.

So, if you are looking for a home in the Wirral, then we at Liam Gretton can help! As we are located in the Wirral, we have an excellent understanding of attractions and all the things there are to do in the area.

Whether you are a first-time buyer or are looking for a change, you are in the right place! For more information on the services we offer or to speak to a member of our team, contact us today at 0151 662 0312. We look forward to hearing from you!