Bidston Conservation Area

Bidston village was the first area to be designated as a conservation area within the Wirral by Birkenhead County Borough in 1972. The village is situated in an elevated position on Bidston Hill, overlooking Birkenhead, Wallasey, Moreton, Leasowe with the Welsh hills beyond.

The village centre has a distinctly medieval street pattern and was the ancient parochial centre for a wide area stretching as far as Moreton, Saughall Massie and Claughton. The circular nature of St Oswald’s Church grounds indicates that the settlement has an early origin and the fabric of the church has clear medieval elements. The layout suggests that the village may go back well before the seventeenth century date of most of its cottages. There have been several interesting archaeological finds in the area including two Neolithic stone artefacts were discovered in fields close to the village core, north-east of St Oswald’s Church. Excavation in the 1990s discovered Mesolithic flint and Roman pottery. Roman pottery and a coin of Maximilian (286-305 AD) have also been found close to the village core.

Bidston village is now characterised predominantly by historic farmsteads, retaining the distinctive historic character of the village and reinforcing the sense of separation between the village and the surrounding area.

The Conservation Area Guidance leaflet explains what a Conservation Area is and how the designation or extension of one affects those who live there. The aim is to provide general guidance and advice on the type of works that normally require planning permission as a result of designation.