Heritage Open Days 2023 in Wirral - see full list

Here is the full list of all of the events you can attend.

Ness Botanic Gardens

• Guided walk to explore the wonders of Ness, Saturday, September 16 at 11am and 2pm. Both last around 2 hours. 
• 75 free admission tickets will be made available on their website for visitors to download and used between Monday, September 11 and Sunday, September 17 2023.

Pre-booking required, visit http://www.liverpool.ac.uk/ness-gardens/.

Bidston Windmill

A brick-built tower mill was used for grinding corn from 1800 until 1875.

Volunteers will be on hand to explain about the windmill and the conservation work carried out by the Friends of Bidston Hill in conjunction with Wirral Council.

The event is on Friday, September 8 from 10.30am-12.30pm. Last entry is 12pm. No booking is required.

Birkenhead Park Heritage Walks

Start and Finish at Birkenhead Park Visitor Centre. The walk takes around one and a half hours. Refreshments will be available for purchase in the café.

Birkenhead Park is the oldest publicly funded municipal park in the World, and currently sits as a tentative site for World Heritage Site Status. 

The events will run on Saturday, September 9, Sunday, September 10, Saturday, September 16 and Sunday 17 September 2pm to 3.30pm.

Pre-booking is required at birkenheadpark@wirral.gov.uk.

Birkenhead Priory & St Mary’s Tower

Guided tours 1.30pm and 2.30pm on weekdays and 11am, 1pm and 3pm on weekends from Friday, September 8 to Sunday, September 17.

Refreshments, cold drinks and snacks will be available (cash only) at the cafe nearby.
See more at www.thebirkenheadpriory.org.

Birkenhead Town Hall - Stone Use in the Building and Rebuilding of a Victorian Town Hall

Guided tours: outside and inside on the main staircase led by Prof. Jim Marshall and colleagues (Wirral Geology and Landscape Project)

Start and finish by the Cenotaph - opposite the main entrance on Hamilton St.

Booking is required for the event on Wednesday, September 13 from 10am-11am and 11.30-12.30pm. Call Jim Marshall on 07570605659.

Byrne Avenue Baths Heritage Tours

Join the team for a one-hour tour of the 1930’s grade II listed Byrne Avenue Baths and find out about its history and its future.

Friday, September 8: 2pm and 4pm
Saturday, September 9: 10.30am and 12.30pm
Wednesday, September 13: 2pm
Friday, September 15: 2pm and 4pm
Saturday, September 16: 10.30am and 12.30pm

Pre-booking required. Call 0151 926 0026 or email hello@byrneavenuebaths.org.

Central Lodge, Birkenhead Park

This is a self-guided tour with explanatory descriptions in each room.

Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10: 11am and 4.30pm. No booking required.

Exhibition - Unwrapping the Creativity behind Birkenhead Park’s Landscape

A special exhibition on Birkenhead Park’s designed landscape. The exhibition reveals the design concept behind the parkland that you see today and highlights the creativity of the Park’s designer Joseph Paxton when he imagined the plans for a ‘New Park’ in 1843.

Book not required. Exhibition runs 9am - 4.30pm from Friday, September 8 to Sunday, September 17.

Flaybrick Chapels and Cemetery

A public cemetery opened in 1864 and extended in the late 19th century and early 20th century. 

Saturday, September 9, Wednesday, September 13 and Sunday, September 17: Open 12pm-3pm and 30-minute walk 12.30pm and 1.30pm.

No booking required.

Futility Statue and Birkenhead Institute Old Boys’ Memorial

Story of the replacement Birkenhead Institute Old Boys' memorial, the statue Futility and its links with Wilfred Owen.

Booking required. Event is Friday, September 15 at 10.30am. ​

Booking Contact is Rob Wood. Call 07708 853741 or email rewoodassociates@btinternet.com.

Highfield United Reformed Church

Listed Grade II. Built as a Congregationalist church in 1870-71, by David Walker, of the local Walker family.

Booking not required. Saturday, September 9 and Saturday, September 16 from 10am to 1pm. 

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

Our Lady’s church is a Grade II listed building designed by renowned architect Edward Welby Pugin.

Stewards are available to show people around and answer questions.
There will be displays on the church, its architecture and how it fits into local history.

Booking is not required. Saturday, September 9m Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17 from 1pm to 5pm. 

Oxton Guided History Walk - Arno

A walk exploring the history of Oxton village, its development from agricultural beginnings to the community it is today with stories of the people and events that helped shape it.

The Arno walk starts and finishes at the notice board by the children's playground adjacent to Sainsbury's car park, off Woodchurch Road CH42 8PQ.

Sunday, September 17 from 11am to 1pm. Pre-booking is required. Call 0773 455 8411
or email oxtonbooks@yahoo.co.uk

St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church

St. Joseph’s Church is a fine example of Edmund Kirby’s work. The exterior is red pressed brick with a roof of Westmoreland Green slate. The interior, redecorated in 1984, is bold, colourful and richly patterned with lots of natural light.

Guides will be on hand to explain the features and history of the Church building.

Saturday, September 9 and Saturday, September 16 from 12.30pm to 4.30pm. No booking required.

Wirral Archives - Behind The Scenes

An introductory talk about Wirral Archives in the Search Room, and then a guided tour of the Strong Room.

Thursday, September 14 with tours at 2pm and 3pm. Pre-booking is required 

Booking Contact is William Meredith. Call 0151 606 2929 or email archives@wirral.gov.uk

Port Sunlight River Park

A guide walk around Port Sunlight River Park. A former landfill site, now a nature reserve. You will enjoy panoramic views across the Wirral and over the River Mersey. You will learn about the 100 year history of the site and the history of the River and local industries and events.

Wednesday, September 13 and Sunday, September 17 from 11am to 1pm.

Pre-booking is required. Email friendsofpsrp@gmail.com

St Mary’s Church, Eastham

St Mary’s is a Grade II listed building, mainly 14th century in origin, much restored by the Victorians with many stained glass windows by Kempe and a Saxon font.

Self-guided graveyard walks, prayer stations. Children’s St Mary’s bingo with prizes.

Booking not required. Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9 from 10am to 4pm and Sunday, September 10 from 12pm to 4pm.

St Mary’s Church, Liscard

Recently granted Grade 2 status by Historic England, the Church built in 1876 by E. W. Nobbs is a fine example of mid-Victorian architecture with perpendicular tracery and west tower. Broad interior without aisles, stained glass windows in Whall style. Recent church registers available for inspection.

No booking required. Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10 from 12pm to 4pm.

New Ferry Butterfly Park

Come and see the new spectacular entrance gates, an art trial of 16 outdoor pieces, and a new display lectern on the industrial history of this former railway goods yard, and how this has contributed to the wildlife diversity of the park. 

Admission is free but donations are welcome. Event is Sunday, September 17 from 2pm to 3.30pm and 2.30pm to 4pm.

Pre-booking is required. Email Paul Loughnane at jpl@liv.ac.uk or go to 
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/railway-legacy-to-wildflower-haven-2pm-walk-tickets-650061660927 and https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/railway-legacy-to-wildflower-haven-230pm-walk-tickets-650075542447.

Rock Park Social History Walk

A walk around Rock Park highlighting its social history and significance. The walk is half a mile.

Thursday, September 14 from 10.30am to 12.30ppm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Pre-booking is required. Contact Su Thomson on 0151 645 1088.

Oxton Guided History Walk - East and West

A walk exploring the history of Oxton village, its development from agricultural beginnings to the community it is today with stories of the people and events that helped to shape it.

Saturday, September 9 (East) and Wednesday, September 13 (West).

Pre-booking is required. Call 0773 455 8411 or email oxtonbooks@yahoo.co.uk

Rock Around Port Sunlight

This walk is a guided tour. It follows a route around Port Sunlight village that introduces the rocks and Earth materials used in the buildings and paved areas in this model industrial village founded in 1888 by William Hesketh Lever (later Lord Leverhulme).

Start and finish at the War Memorial, at the junction with The Causeway and the Diamond, Port Sunlight, Wirral CH62 5DY.

Sunday, September 10 and Wednesday, September 13 from 1.30pm to 4pm.

Pre-booking is required. Contact Maggie Williams at lgssecretary19@gmail.com or visit
https://liverpoolgeologicalsociety.org/

Bidston Community Archaeology

Archaeological dig investigating farms and buildings of local historical interest.

Visitors should wear appropriate footwear.

Sunday, September 10 from 10am to 4pm. No booking required.

Bidston Lighthouse

Guided tours of Bidston Lighthouse and Telegraph Station.

Booking required. Please book via their website www.bidstonlighthouse.org.uk/events/whod/

Saturday, September 9, Sunday, September 10 and Saturday, September 16: Tours start promptly at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm each day and last about one hour.

Bidston Observatory Artistic Research Centre Events

Bidston Observatory now houses an Artistic Research centre, however research work which used to happen here was in the Natural Earth Sciences: important Astronomical, Meteorological and Oceanographic research was conducted at Bidston.

Saturday, September 9, Sunday, September 10 and Saturday, September 16 at 12pm, 1pm and 2pm. 

The duration of a tour is approximately 50 minutes.

Callister Garden

Visit Birkenhead’s very own secret garden.

Thanks to volunteers Callister Garden continues to flourish behind the high stone wall in Slatey Road.

Booking not required. Saturday, September 16 from 10am to 3pm.

Christ Church, Oxton

A beautiful “Grade II” listed building, containing two WWI memorials, one an intricately carved pulpit.

Saturday, September 16 from 10am to 3pm. No booking required.

Quaker Meeting House, Birkenhead<,h2>

This Grade II listed building is an interesting example of a late 19th century Quaker Meeting House.

Booking not required. Saturday, September 9 from 10.30am to 4.30pm

St Oswald’s Church, Bidston

Grade II listed church in the heart of Bidston Village. Many interesting stories to tell await inside.

No booking required. Saturday, September 9 from 11am to 3pm.

Trinity with Palm Grove, Oxton

Explore this magnificent Grade II listed church, built in 1866 in the Gothic Revival style.

The church has a large car park in Alton Road. Booking not required.

Saturday, September 9 from 10am to 4pm.

Williamson Art Gallery & Museum

Join Curator Niall Hodson for an introduction to the Williamson’s fascinating collections of Della Robbia Pottery.

Saturday, September 9 and Sautrday, September 16 at 12pm and 2pm.​

Call 0151 666 3537 or email arts@williamsonartgallery.org to book.

There are also guided walks for Williamson and Women of Oxton.

St Mary's Church, Upton

There are a couple of events running at St Mary's Church.

For more information, visit here.

English Martyrs’ Church

August 31 this year marked the 70th anniversary of the opening of our Grade II* church designed by F X Velarde. As the team near the end of phase one of repair and restoration they are looking ahead to phase two which will see the interior restored to its original Modernist splendour.

Booking not required. Events run Friday, September 15 to Sunday, September 17 from 2pm to 5pm.

Magazine BrowConservation Walk

A circular heritage walk and talk around the Magazine Brow Conservation Area on the banks of the River Mersey.

Tuesday, September 12 from 2pm to 3.30pm. Email t.irving36@btinternet.com to book.

New Brighton Heritage Centre

To discover more about the creation of New Brighton and its once its iconic structures, which are now our rich heritage, just call in. 

Friday, September 8, Wednesday, September 13 and Friday, September 15 from 11am to 3pm. Booking not required.

St Hilary of Poitiers Parish Church, Wallasey

The current church on the site was built in 1859. The Old Tower in the grounds dates from 1537 and contains a Norman Font. The Church has a Willis organ and several stained glass windows, including a recently restored West Window. There are extensive views over the town and the coastline from the top of the tower.

Saturday, September 16 from 10am to 4pm and Sunday, September 17 feom 1pm to 4pm. No booking required.

St James’s Church, New Brighton

A Grade II Victorian Gothic Revival Style listed building, designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, completed in 1856. Eminent Victorian artist A.O Hemming designed the reredos, murals & roof paintings in the Sanctuary and three stained glass windows. View the magnificent 1833 Bewsher Fleetwood organ in the North Transept.

Booking not required.

Saturday, September 9 and Saturday, September 16 from 10am to 4pm. 
Sunday, September 10 and Sunday, September 17 from 10.30am to 1pm (Service is at 11am).

The Shrine Church of Saints Peter, Paul and Saint Philomena

Visitors can take a guided tour of this beautiful restored church.

They can experience the sheer scale of this majestic building, and the peace and tranquility of its interior.

Tea, coffee and cakes will be served.

No booking required. Saturday, September 9 and Saturday, September 16 from 1pm to 4pm with tours half hourly until 4pm.

Buildings of Hilbre Island

The Friends of Hilbre Island will open two of the historic buildings on the island - The Telegraph Station and the Buoy Master's Work Shop.

The walk to the island is about two miles.

Saturday, September 9 from 11am to 3pm. No booking required.

Grange Hill (Geology and History): a Place to Remember

Learn more about the origins of Grange Hill and of the surrounding landscapes.

Walks led by Prof. Jim Marshall (WiGaL) and Dr. Stephen Roberts (Historian).

Tuesday, September 12 from 10.30am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 3pm.
Booking Contact: Jim Marshall on 07570605659.

Apple Day at Brimstage Hall

A guided walk round a traditional orchard, pick/taste heritage varieties of apple, pear and plum. Visitors can bring their own apples to crush in a reconstructed 18th century cider press, make juice or cider to take away. Information and advice given.

Sunday, September 10 and Sunday, September 17 from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

No booking required

Christ Church United Reformed Church, Port Sunlight

Picturesque garden village of Port Sunlight built end of 19th century,

No booking required.

Friday, September 8 to Saturday, September 16 from 11am to 4pm.

Eastham Victorian Pleasure Gardens

A circular walk from Eastham Ferry Landing Stage, 1 Ferry Road, CH62 0AU.
The tour lasts one and a half hours.

Thursday, September 14, Friday, September 15 and Saturday, September 16 from 10am to 11.30am.

Pre-booking is required. Contact d.r.mottram@ljmu.ac.uk.

Holy Cross Parish Church, Woodchurch

A small display of Trena Cox's life and work. Climb the 100+ steps up the tower for views. 

Times of tours 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm. (Restrictions – please contact Parish Office)

All Things Bright and Beautiful Pet Service 4pm to 4.30pm.

Saturday, September 16.

Human and Natural History of Great Meols

Start and finish at bus stop at 'Railway' pub, Birkenhead Road, Gt Meols, CH47 6AB.

Come and enjoy a refreshing late summer walk through the old township of Great Meols and its surrounding countryside.

Booking required. Stephen Roberts on 0776386 0340. Event runs on Sunday, September 17 from 10am to 12pm.

Human and Natural History of Hoylake

Learn about the formation of the landscape and about the varied lives of local people in the past and how they affected the environment we see today.

Sunday, September 10 from 10am to 12pm.

Pre-booking is required. Booking Contact: Stephen Roberts on 0776386 0340.

Leasowe Castle

Join the team for a behind the scenes tour of their charismatic 16th Century Castle and soak in all the many years of history.

Friday, September 8 to Sunday, September 17 from 12pm to 3pm.

Booking is required. Liam Wilde - Call: 01516069191 option 5 or email - liamwilde@lasowecastle.com

Melrose Hall, Hoylake

Exhibition of the history of Hoylake since the Hall was built.

Booking not required. Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10 from 10am to 5pm.

Port Sunlight Village Trust 

There are various events happening with Port Sunlight Village Trust.

For more information, visit www.portsunlightvillage.com

Quaker Meeting House, Heswall

A not-to-be-missed opportunity to visit the Heswall Quaker Meeting House.

Guides will be available to show visitors around.

Booking not required. Events run Wednesday, September 13 8from 12pm to 4pm and Thursday, September 14 from 10am to 4pm.

Rocks Of Ages - historic use of building and ornamental stone at St Bridget’s

Interpretative tours of the stonework displayed in the West Kirby Museum, St Bridget’s Church. Street parking on Carpenter’s Lane.

Booking required. Saturday, September 9 at 10.45am and 1.45pm.

Call: 0757 060 5659 or email: wirralgeology@gmail.com

Royal Liverpool Golf Club House

Tour lasts approximately two hours - only available Monday, September 11.

Complimentary tea/coffee on arrival followed by a heritage tour of the Clubhouse.

Monday 11 September: 9.30am to 11.30am and 2.30pm to 4.30pm.​

Booking Contact: Andy Leadbetter - Call: 0151 632 7772 or email: bookings@royal-liverpool-golf.com

St Andrew’s Church, Bebington

St Andrew’s Church has stood on the rise overlooking Bebington Village for over 900 years. From modest beginnings, the building developed in stages as the local population grew, with major extensions built in the 14th & 19th centuries. Today the church continues its prime role as a place of worship.

Sunday, September 10, Monday, September 11, Wednesday, September 13 and Saturday, September 16 from 10am to 12.30pm.

St Bridget’s Church, West Kirby

Tours of the church. In addition, they hope to provide tours of the bell tower, home to eight bells, four of which date from 1719. For safety purposes, children visiting the tower must be accompanied by an adult.

Refreshments in Church Centre until 4pm. Event is Saturday, September 9 from 10am to 5pm. Booking is not required.

St Hildeburgh’s Church, Hoylake

St Hildeburgh’s Parish Church is a Grade II listed building. It was first listed in 1986. It was designed by the Liverpool architect, Edmund Kirby and built between 1897 and 1899. It is constructed of red brick and terracotta with a tile roof.

Booking not required. Event is Tuesday, September 12 from 10am to 3pm.

St Michaels & All Angels Roman Catholic Church

Saint Michael and All Angels Church was one of the first Vatican II-inspired churches in the Diocese. Designed by Richard O’Mahony of the F. X. Velarde Partnership, it was commissioned in 1962 and opened in September 1965.

Guides will be on hand to explain the features and history of the Church building

Booking not required. Events are Saturday, September 9 and Saturday, September 16 from 9am to 1pm.

Storeton Woods Guided Walk

A guided walk of Storeton Woods describing its origin as a Roman quarry and the discovery of the footprint of a Chirotherium or hand-animal dinosaur.

Saturday, September 9 and Saturday, September 16 from 10am to 11.30am.

Email lee_john_m@yahoo.co.uk to book.

Thingwall Viking Trail

Wirral Viking experts, Professor Steve Harding - author of Ingimund’s Saga (Chester University Press, 3 rd edn. 2016), Dave Capener and Sue Bishop take you around one of the most historical sites in NW England – Cross Hill.

The walk will include Cross Hill, the Thingwall Road sign and Storeton Woods.

No children under 12. No dogs. Dress for the weather, stout shoes are advised.

Start and finish - Meet at Viking Thingwall information board at the Bassett Hound public house, Barnston Rd, Thingwall, CH61 1AS.

Saturday, September 16:10.45am to 12.45pm. Pre-booking is required at steve.harding@nottingham.ac.uk.

Upton Village Heritage Walk

The walk covers the village and the surrounding area starting and ending at Upton Library.

Saturday, September 9 and Saturday, Setepmber 16 from 2pm to 4pm.

Pre-booking is required at heritage@friendsofuptonwirral.co.uk

Victoria Hall: Swan Movies Night

Join the team for an evening of fascinating archive films presented Swan Movie Makers.

Admission free. Donations welcome. Booking essential bookings@victoriahallhrbebington.co.uk

Friday, September 8: Doors open at 7pm. Event starts at 7.30pm.

West Kirby Methodist Church

The church, opened in 1904, has attractive stained-glass windows; other fittings linked to well-known local families; traditional pine pews; and a Willis organ.

Booking not required. Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9 from 10am to 4pm.

West Kirby Museum

The Museum, with its ‘Viking’ stones and other artefacts will be open all day. Explore the rich history of West Kirby, its church, schools and village. View special heritage displays, including those celebrating the creativity of local writers, artists, poets and musicians.

No booking required. Saturday, September 9:10am-4pm

West Kirby Old Village Walk

A short circular walk through West Kirby Old Village, which was the bustling centre of West Kirby before the railway arrived in 1878.

A walk of about half a mile lasting one hour. Start and finish at St Bridget’s School entrance, St Bridget’s Lane, West Kirby.

Sunday, September 10: 10am to 11am

Booking contact: Heather Chapman - 0151 625 7013

Wirral Country Park Discovery Walk

A guided tour around some of the fascinating historical and natural features to be seen in the area of the Wirral Country Park at Thurstaston.

The event is free. Car park charges apply.

Booking required - stephenroberts@wirral.gov.uk

Wednesday, September 13:10am to 12pm