Parks and open spaces in Liverpool

Liverpool in England has a significant number of public parks and gardens. The Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England describes the city's collection of Victorian parks as the "most important in the country".[1] Liverpool has 10 listed parks and cemeteries, including two Grade I and five Grade II*, more than any other UK city except London.[2] There are over 2,500 acres (10 km2) of parks and open spaces in the city.[3]

For many centuries, much of the open space was private estate land. In particular, several of the city's grand houses of the Georgian and Victorian eras are now either demolished or in public ownership, with their grounds and gardens given over to the city. However, several parks which were conceived from the outset as public parks are partly modelled on the nearby Birkenhead Park, which was amongst the first of its type in the world.

Historical background

In 1833, the government's Select Committee on Public Walks emphasised the need to provide accessible space for recreation to improve the health of the urban population, defuse social tensions, and allow social classes to mix. From the early 1850s onwards, Liverpool endorsed this policy with the introduction of a ring of major municipal parks through a significant level of investment in public parks. These included parks such as Princes, Sefton, Wavertree, Shiel, Newsham, and Stanley.

List

This list includes all the parks and open spaces included on the website of Liverpool City Council,[4] all the registered parks and gardens in the National Heritage List for England, and a historic park that is now closed.

Key
Explanation of the registered parks and gardens grades
Grade Criteria[5]
I Of exceptional interest
II* Particularly important, of more than special interest
II Of special interest, warranting every effort to preserve them
Parks, locations, photographs, size, notes and listing, if any
Name Map ref and coordinates Photograph Size Notes Grading
Abercromby Square
SJ 359 899
53.403°N 2.965°W / 53.403; -2.965 (Abercrombie Square)
 The square was built in about 1820 for Liverpool Corporation on heathland called Mosslake Fields. The design was by the Corporation surveyor, John Foster (senior). The buildings around the square are now occupied by the University of Liverpool.[6]
—
Allerton Cemetery
SJ 417 852
53.360°N 2.879°W / 53.360; -2.879 (Allerton Cemetery)
34 hectares (84 acres)
 The cemetery opened in 1909 in part of the grounds of the Allerton Hall estate. It contains three sandstone chapels, all with steeples.[7][8] II
Allerton Tower Park
SJ 416 862
53.370°N 2.877°W / 53.370; -2.877 (Allerton Tower)
14 hectares (35 acres)
 The park originated as the grounds of Allerton Tower, a house designed by Harvey Lonsdale Elmes and completed in 1849. Liverpool Corporation bought the house and grounds in 1924, and the house was demolished. The park now hosts an outdoors activity centre.[9][10][11]
—
Alt Meadows
8 hectares (20 acres)
 The newest park in Liverpool, officially opened in March 2014.[12]
—
Anfield Cemetery
SJ 365 939
53.439°N 2.958°W / 53.439; -2.958 (Anfield Cemetery)
57 hectares (140 acres)
 The cemetery was built in 1861–64 because those nearer the centre of the city were full. The layout was designed by Edward Kemp, and its buildings were mainly by the local cemetery architects Lucy and Littler. Two of the original three chapels have since been demolished.[13][14] II*
Belle Vale Park
SJ 431 885
53.390°N 2.856°W / 53.390; -2.856 (Belle Vale Park)
 This is a small park in a densely populated part of the city. Close to it is the Lee Valley Millennium Centre.[15]
—
Calderstones Park
SJ 405 875
53.381°N 2.895°W / 53.381; -2.895 (Calderstones Park)
38 hectares (94 acres)
 The park has been developed from the grounds of Calderstones House, built in about 1828. The grounds were converted into a park in 1913, and the house is used as council offices.[16][17][18]
—
Camphill and Woolton Woods
SJ 422 863
53.370°N 2.870°W / 53.370; -2.870 (Camphill and Woolton Woods)
30 hectares (74 acres)
 The park has been formed from the adjoining grounds of two houses, Camp Hill, which has been demolished, and Woolton Hall. It contains a walled garden and a floral cuckoo clock.[19][20]
—
Canalside Park
SJ 343 923
53.423°N 2.989°W / 53.423; -2.989 (Canalside Park)
 This is a small linear park lying between Vauxhall Road and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.[21]
—
Childwall Woods
SJ 413 887
53.392°N 2.884°W / 53.392; -2.884 (Childwall Woods)
16 hectares (40 acres)
 This formerly consisted of the grounds of Childwall House, which became a golf clubhouse in 1922. The house and grounds were acquired by the city council in 1939, and the house was demolished in 1949.[22][23]
—
Clarke Gardens
SJ 415 857
53.366°N 2.878°W / 53.366; -2.878 (Clarke Gardens)
 Named after the Clarke family who were the last owners of Allerton Hall and who gave the hall and grounds to the city council.[24]
—
Croxteth Country Park


Craven and Dam Woods
SJ 410 946
53.444°N 2.890°W / 53.444; -2.890 (Croxteth Country Park)
203 hectares (500 acres)
Craven and Dam Woods (75 acres).		 This large country park surrounds Croxteth Hall, the former home of the Earls of Sefton. It contains a walled garden and a home farm, both of which are open to the public.[25][26][27][28]


Nearby Craven and Dam Woods, separated from Croxteth Park by Fir Tree Drive but linked via the back of the housing estate, comprise roughly 75 acres of woodland (additional to the 500 acres of Croxteth Country Park proper).

 II
Devonfield Garden
SJ 358 965
53.460°N 2.969°W / 53.460; -2.969 (Devonfield Gardens)
 This is a small community park in a residential part of the city.[29]
—
Doric Park
SJ 396 915
53.418°N 2.911°W / 53.418; -2.911 (Doric Park)
 There is a small community park in the Old Swan area.[30]
—
Everton Park
SJ 357 920
53.423°N 2.972°W / 53.423; -2.972 (Everton Park)
 The park was created in the early 1980s on Everton Hill, the highest point in the city. It contains a walled garden and two small lakes.[31][32]
—
Falkner Square
SJ 372 911
53.398°N 2.963°W / 53.398; -2.963 (Falkner Square)
 This was one of the first public open spaces in Liverpool and was in existence by 1831. Building of the surrounding houses commenced in the 1840s.[33][34]
—
Greenbank Park
SJ 384 882
53.387°N 2.927°W / 53.387; -2.927 (Greenbank Park)
 The park contains a lake as its centrepiece, which can be used for fishing. It also has a children's playground, a walled garden, and it hosts a graffiti art project.[35]
—
Larkhill Park
SJ 383 933
53.433°N 2.930°W / 53.433; -2.930 (Larkhill Park)
 Much of this small park is occupied by a pond, which can be used for fishing.[36]
—
Newsham Park
SJ 377 919
53.420°N 2.939°W / 53.420; -2.939 (Newsham Park)
48 hectares (120 acres)
 The park has been developed from the grounds of Newsham House, and was laid out by Edward Kemp. It contains two lakes, a bandstand, and play areas.[37][38][39] II*
Norris Green Park
Otterspool Park
SJ 379 863
53.369°N 2.934°W / 53.369; -2.934 (Otterspool Park)
 The park was developed from the grounds of the former Otterspool House. It has been a public park since 1932, and is adjacent to Otterspool Promenade.[40][41]
—
Princes Park
SJ 366 881
53.386°N 2.954°W / 53.386; -2.954 (Princes Park)
28 hectares (69 acres)
 This was Liverpool's first public park, and was the first park designed by Joseph Paxton. It contains a fishing lake, and children's play areas.[42][43][44][45] II*
Ranelagh Gardens
SJ 352 902
53.406°N 2.977°W / 53.406; -2.977 (Ranelagh Gardens)
 This was the first open space for public recreation in the city, opening in 1722. It closed in the late 1790s, and its site is now occupied by the Adelphi Hotel[46]
—
Reynolds Park
SJ 421 875
53.380°N 2.872°W / 53.380; -2.872 (Reynolds Park)
6 hectares (15 acres)
 The park has been developed from the grounds of the former Reynolds Park Mansion that burnt down in 1921. It contains a walled garden, a wildflower meadow, a sunken garden, a topiary and a ha-ha.[47][48]
—
Sefton Park
SJ 377 876
53.383°N 2.939°W / 53.383; -2.939 (Sefton Park)
82 hectares (200 acres)
 This large park contains a Grade II* listed Palm House, the Shaftesbury memorial and Eros fountain, the Grade II listed Peter Pan statue, a grotto, a boating lake, a bandstand, and cafés.[49][50][51] I
Stanley Park
SJ 362 936
53.435°N 2.963°W / 53.435; -2.963 (Stanley Park)
46 hectares (110 acres)
 Laid out between 1867 and 1871, the park was designed by Edward Kemp. It contains the Isla Gladstone Conservatory, lakes, a bandstand and play areas.[52][53][54][55] II*
St James Gardens
SJ 354 894
53.397°N 2.972°W / 53.397; -2.972 (St James Gardens)
4 hectares (9.9 acres)
 Situated to the east of Liverpool Cathedral the gardens occupy a sunken site that was formerly a quarry, then a cemetery. Within the gardens is a memorial to William Huskisson.[56][57][58] I
St John's Gardens
SJ 348 906
53.409°N 2.981°W / 53.409; -2.981 (St Johns Gardens)
 Adjacent to St George's Hall in the centre of the city, the site was formerly occupied by a church. Opened in 1904 it contains formal gardens, statues to prominent men of Liverpool, and a memorial to King's Regiment (Liverpool).[59][60][61]
—
St Nicholas Church Gardens
SJ 339 904
53.407°N 2.995°W / 53.407; -2.995 (St Nicholas Church Gardens)
 The former churchyard of St Nicolas' Church was laid out as a garden in 1891. It contains a memorial to those who died in the Liverpool Blitz.[62][63]
—
Toxteth Park and Cemetery
SJ 375 889
53.394°N 2.941°W / 53.394; -2.941 (Toxteth Park and Cemetery)
16 hectares (40 acres)
 This was the first cemetery in the Liverpool area to be created under the Burial Act of 1857. Two of its original three mortuary chapels remain.[64][65] II
Walton Hall Park
SJ 950 370
53.449°N 2.955°W / 53.449; -2.955 (Walton Hall Park)
52 hectares (130 acres)
 The park was developed in the grounds of Walton Hall, which was demolished in about 1918. It contains a fishing lake, a pool for sailing model boats, and a play area.[66][67]
—
Wavertree Botanic Garden and Park
SJ 375 903
53.407°N 2.942°W / 53.407; -2.942 (Wavertree Botanic Garden and Park)
14.6 hectares (36 acres)
 Botanic gardens founded by William Roscoe opened in 1836 and were acquired by the Corporation in 1846. Ten years later the land to the south of the botanic gardens was laid out as a park. The glasshouses were destroyed in the Second World War. The walled garden is still present.[68][69][70][71] II*

Entry to all of these parks is unrestricted in terms of opening hours, with the exception of the walled botanic garden in Wavertree Park; and free of charge in all cases.

Croxteth Country Park
Main article: Croxteth Hall

Today Croxteth Hall & Country Park is managed by Liverpool City Council. This park is an example of a working country estate, with the park featuring the historic Hall itself, surrounded by mature woodlands, a collection of rare breed farm animals in the traditional "Home Farm" yard, and a Victorian walled garden. The Hall is Grade II* listed and the Park Grade II.[28]

Academic studies

Academics from the University of Liverpool's School of History have undertaken research on the historic development of parks and open spaces in the city and their future contribution to community development, education, bio-diversity, public health and urban regeneration. The team have worked to compile the first definitive chronology of the city’s parks over the past 200 years and a book should document the changing role of parks, from their prominence during the Victorian era through to the present day.[72]

References
  1. Dr. Peter Brown, chair, Merseyside Civic Society
  2. Liverpool City Council News, 23 February 2009
  3. "Parks and recreation". Liverpool City Council website. Archived from the original on 16 April 2007. Retrieved 23 April 2007.
  4. Parks and greenspaces, retrieved 24 August 2011
  5. Grading, English Heritage, retrieved 1 June 2011
  6. Pollard & Pevsner 2006, pp. 368–369
  7. Pollard & Pevsner 2006, p. 387
  8. Historic England, "Allerton Cemetery (1001636)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 2 September 2013
  9. Allerton Towers, Liverpool City Council, retrieved 23 May 2011
  10. Pollard & Pevsner 2006, pp. 391.
  11. Twist 2000, pp. 37–38
  12. Mayor officially opens new Alt Meadows park in Liverpool
  13. Historic England, "Anfield Cemetery (1000993)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 2 September 2013
  14. Pollard & Pevsner 2006, pp. 394–395
  15. Belle Vale Park, Liverpool City Council, archived from the original on 21 April 2011, retrieved 23 May 2011
  16. Calderstones Park, Liverpool City Council, retrieved 23 May 2011
  17. Pollard & Pevsner 2006, pp. 389.
  18. Twist 2000, pp. 29–33
  19. Camphill and Woolton Woods, Liverpool City Council, archived from the original on 23 April 2011, retrieved 23 May 2011
  20. Twist 2000, pp. 34–36, 42–43
  21. Canalside Park, Liverpool City Council, archived from the original on 21 April 2011, retrieved 23 May 2011
  22. Childwall Woods, Liverpool City Council, retrieved 23 May 2011
  23. Twist 2000, pp. 55–58
  24. Twist 2000, pp. 44–45
  25. Croxteth Country Park, Liverpool City Council, retrieved 23 May 2011
  26. Pollard & Pevsner 2006, pp. 406–409.
  27. Twist 2000, pp. 62–63
  28. Historic England, "Croxteth Hall (1001304)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 2 September 2013
  29. Devonfield Gardens, Liverpool City Council, retrieved 23 May 2011
  30. Doric Park, Liverpool City Council, retrieved 23 May 2011
  31. Everton Park, Liverpool City Council, retrieved 23 May 2011
  32. Twist 2000, pp. 59–61
  33. Falkner Square, Liverpool City Council, retrieved 23 May 2011
  34. Pollard & Pevsner 2006, pp. 374
  35. Greenbank Park, Liverpool City Council, retrieved 23 May 2011
  36. Larkhill Park, Liverpool City Council, archived from the original on 23 April 2011, retrieved 23 May 2011
  37. Newsham Park, Liverpool City Council, retrieved 23 May 2011
  38. Historic England, "Newsham Park (1001536)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 2 September 2013
  39. Twist 2000, pp. 17–19
  40. Otterspool Park, Liverpool City Council, retrieved 23 May 2011
  41. Twist 2000, pp. 49–52
  42. Princes Park, Liverpool City Council, retrieved 23 May 2011
  43. Historic England, "Prince's Park, Liverpool (1000998)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 2 September 2013
  44. Pollard & Pevsner 2006, pp. 451–453
  45. Twist 2000, pp. 14–16
  46. Layton-Jones & Lee 2008, pp. 4–6.
  47. Reynolds Park, Liverpool City Council, retrieved 23 May 2011
  48. Twist 2000, pp. 46–48
  49. Sefton Park, Liverpool City Council, retrieved 23 May 2011
  50. Historic England, "Sefton Park, Liverpool (1000999)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 2 September 2013
  51. Twist 2000, pp. 24–28
  52. Stanley Park, Liverpool City Council, retrieved 23 May 2011
  53. Historic England, "Stanley Park, Liverpool (1001000)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 2 September 2013
  54. Pollard & Pevsner 2006, pp. 395–397
  55. Twist 2000, pp. 20–23
  56. St James Gardens, Liverpool City Council, retrieved 23 May 2011
  57. Twist 2000, pp. 2–5
  58. Historic England, "St James's Cemetery, Liverpool (1001585)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 2 September 2013
  59. St Johns Gardens, Liverpool City Council, retrieved 23 May 2011
  60. Pollard & Pevsner 2006, pp. 335
  61. Twist 2000, p. 66
  62. St Nicholas Church Gardens, Liverpool City Council, archived from the original on 23 April 2011, retrieved 23 May 2011
  63. Pollard & Pevsner 2006, pp. 284
  64. Historic England, "Toxteth Park and Cemetery, Liverpool (1001611)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 2 September 2013
  65. Pollard & Pevsner 2006, pp. 474
  66. Walton Hall Park, Liverpool City Council, retrieved 23 May 2011
  67. Twist 2000, pp. 53–54
  68. Wavertree Botanic Garden and Park, Liverpool City Council, retrieved 23 May 2011
  69. Historic England, "Wavertree Botanic Garden and Park (1001538)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 2 September 2013
  70. Pollard & Pevsner 2006, pp. 413
  71. Twist 2000, pp. 9–13
  72. "Researchers explore history of Liverpool parks". University of Liverpool. Retrieved 23 April 2007.
Bibliography
  • Layton-Jones, Katy; Lee, Robert (2008), Places of Health and Amusement, Swindon: English Heritage, ISBN 978-1-873592-91-5
  • Pollard, Richard; Pevsner, Nikolaus (2006), Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West, The Buildings of England, New Haven and London: Yale University Press, ISBN 0-300-10910-5
  • Twist, Colin (2000), A History of Liverpool Parks, Southport: Hobby Publications, ISBN 1-872839-06-1
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