This is the first in an occasional series of articles of personal observations on the many and varied attributes of the wonderful Wirral Peninsula.
Being a ‘scouser’ and having spent the last 13 years living and working in the constantly hot and humid climate of Singapore, I find it a joy and welcome relief on my frequent return visits home to the Wirral to experience the changes in the seasons……usually all in the same day!!
The Wirral Peninsula is known by some as The Dormitory of Liverpool or Little Surrey in some cases
Known by some as ‘The Dormitory of Liverpool’, allowing business folk to quickly escape the city rigours into a more rural environment, or, ‘Little Surrey’ due to the beautiful properties of the more wealthy residents, the Wirral offers many interesting facets of which I will expand on throughout the series.
Some background on what constitutes ‘The Wirral Peninsula’. Firstly, what is a peninsula? It is a piece of land that is bordered by water on 3 sides and in this case the River Mersey to the east and River Dee on the west, merging with the outflow to the Irish Sea fit the description.
Covering an area of just over 60 square miles, it is fascinating just how much there is to see, whether inland or coastal and particularly if you are a walker (as I am) or as a cyclist (as I sometimes am!). We have the more urbanised areas such as Wallasey, Birkenhead, Bromborough & Ellesmere Port, to the more rural environment offered by such as Hoylake, West Kirby, Caldy, Heswall, Brimstage & Thornton Hough.
Wallasey and recollections of the ferry from Liverpool to New Brighton
Let’s start our journey at Wallasey at the north end of the peninsula, where I have spent most of my married life. Being originally from a Liverpool inner city environment I guess my earliest recollections are in getting the ferry from Liverpool to New Brighton, Wallasey, (when there was still a pier) for a day out on the beach and getting a thick ear for challenging a fairground attendant who I accused of slightly bending the barrel of an air rifle, making it impossible for me to win the typical prize of a teddy bear! Also, the many great times spent swimming and sunbathing in the magnificent open-air Derby and New Brighton pools.
Once the pier was demolished, the loss was somewhat mitigated by being able to take the ferry from Liverpool’s Pier Head to Seacombe in Wallasey and in enjoying a, usually bracing, walk up the promenade. Alternatively, you could get the train straight in to New Brighton….but that cost a bit more.
The renaissance of New Brighton with the Marine Point Development
Today, New Brighton is going through somewhat of a renaissance and, with it, a return of the day-tripper.
With the newly built and very well appointed Floral Pavilion theatre, coupled to an eight screen cinema, casino, hotel, bars and restaurants plus the Marine Lake for different sailing experiences as well as a super and newly opened crazy golf course along with other children’s amusements, New Brighton is certainly going to continue its positive growth to the benefit of all.
However, we should not just concentrate on the sea front activities but also note the facilities about 250 metres ‘up the hill’ around Victoria Road with its shops, cafes and two highly rated restaurants in ‘Peninsula Dining Room’ and ‘Olive Tree’. Both well worth a visit.
Good local pubs in New Brighton
With the decline in pubs, for beer drinkers, there is the rare opportunity to have three bars, namely; ‘The Perch Rock’, ‘The Harbour’ (was ‘The Commercial’) & ‘The Railway’, sitting in the same street off Victoria Road; each no more that 5-10 metres walk from each other and each offering a different atmosphere. Of these three bars, my particular favourite is ‘The Perch Rock’, a true community pub with an alluring décor stuck somewhere in the 70’s (much like me I think!). Oh, and the beer in all of them is good and reasonably priced.
New Brighton promenade for walking, cycling and fabulous sunsets
As I conclude this initial article, let me mention, for the more energetic walker (or cyclist), the promenade walk from New Brighton that takes you around the northern tip of the peninsula up to Wallasey Golf Club (the ‘home’ of golf’s Stableford Rules) and beyond, all the way up through Moreton, Meols and out to Hoylake & West Kirby.
How beautiful, either of an early morning or as the sun sets, to look out to sea beyond St George’s Channel to the Irish Sea. How lucky we are to witness the tide ebbing and flowing, particularly in stormy weather and to be close to nature at its best. That, for me, encapsulates the spirit of Wirral and I look forward to sharing more of my personal impressions with you in coming articles.
What recollections do you have of the north end of the Wirral Peninsula?
Guest Blog Post by Terry Malone.
