Birkenhead Park

The world’s first publicly funded park, a historic green space with lakes, woodlands, and iconic architecture.

Swiss bridge at Birkenhead park

Opening hours

Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Visitor Centre

  • Open 9am to 4:30pm, seven days a week.
  • Closed 25 and 26 December and 1 January.

Accessibility for people with disabilities

Full accessibility information about Birkenhead Park can be viewed on the Accessable website.

The PDF file below may not be suitable to view for people with disabilities, users of assistive technology or mobile phone devices.

Facilities and things to do

  • visitor centre with café
  • children’s playground and play boulder
  • two lakes available for angling - permit required
  • grade 1 historic landscape
  • Swiss bridge, Roman boathouse and grand entrance
  • football pitches and bowling greens
  • fitness trail
  • public toilets and baby changing in visitor centre
  • beautiful woodland walks

Reasons to visit

Birkenhead Park was the world’s first publicly funded park. It was opened in 1847 by Joseph Paxton with the aim of creating a ‘park for the people.’

Birkenhead was a major influence on Frederick Law Olmsted's design of Central Park, New York. The two parks are closely linked and during a visit to Birkenhead Park, Doug Blonsky, CEO of Central Park Conservancy, referred to it as the ‘father’ park to the famous Manhattan green space.

Visit Birkenhead Park's website

Volunteering

The Friends of Birkenhead Park works in partnership with Wirral Council to ensure that the park is well maintained and preserved for future generations.

Find out more about the Friends and the volunteering opportunities that they offer.

Contact us

Location

Address

Park Drive
Birkenhead
CH41 4HY
United Kingdom

Vehicle access to Birkenhead Park is temporarily restricted to emergency services and park staff only, to protect the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.