Historic Birkenhead
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about Birkenhead from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover Birkenhead's listed buildings and places
Introducing some of Birkenhead's most significant historic sites, curated from the National Heritage List for England.
Birkenhead Library
Birkenhead
Birkenhead Library by architects Gray Evans and Crossley, dated 1933, and formally opened in 1934.
Former Cattle Lairages
Birkenhead
Former cattle lairages to Tranmere Abattoir, 1886, possibly by TW Cubbon, mellow red brick with terracotta dressings, Welsh slate roof.
Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, including boundary wall, railings and gate piers
Birkenhead
Roman Catholic church, 1860-62, by Edward Welby Pugin, with the chancel added in 1876-7 by Pugin and Pugin to a simplified design.
Byrne Avenue Baths, including boundary wall, railings and gates
Birkenhead
Byrne Avenue Baths, constructed in 1931-3, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: Historic interest: it is an interesting example...
Roman Catholic Church of Holy Name of Jesus
Birkenhead
Roman Catholic church. 1898-9 with 1909 porch and baptistery, Lady Chapel, and sacristy.
K6 Telephone Kiosk on Price Street at the corner with Argyle Street, adjacent to Hamilton Square
Birkenhead
Telephone kiosk, Type K6. Designed in 1935 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Made by various contractors. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Birkenhead Priory
Birkenhead
From the time of St Augustine's mission to re-establish Christianity in AD 597 to the reign of Henry VIII, monasticism formed an important facet of...
Roman Catholic Church of St Joseph
Birkenhead
Roman Catholic church, 1899-1900, by Edmund Kirby of Liverpool.
Birkenhead War Memorial (including flagpoles to north and south)
Birkenhead
War memorialErected 1925 by County Borough of Birkenhead Architect Lionel BuddenSculptor Herbert Tyson SmithBuilders Joseph Davies of Birkenhead and...
Prenton War Memorial
Birkenhead
First World War memorial, unveiled on 6 August 1920, by Briggs, Wolstenholme & Thornley of Liverpool with sculptural adornment by Frank Thomas and Son...
Mercantile Marine War Memorial
Birkenhead
First World War memorial drinking fountain, pre-1936. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Birkenhead Quaker Meeting House
Birkenhead
Birkenhead Quaker Meeting House, constructed in 1892, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: it is an interesting example of a...
K6 Telephone Kiosk on Hamilton Street at junction with Duncan Street, adjacent to Hamilton Square
Birkenhead
Telephone kiosk, Type K6. Designed in 1935 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Made by various contractors. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Church of the Holy Cross
Birkenhead
Roman Catholic church, 1957-9, designed by Francis X Velarde, brown brick and ashlar with plain tile roofs.
Historic Birkenhead through time
The National Heritage List for England contains hundreds of details about buildings and places, including the periods in which they were built and the uses they've had over the years. Explore how your local area has changed through time.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanantly altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanantly altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Aerial photos of Birkenhead
Historic aerial photography shows the growth and changes in England's urban and rural landscapes, revealing secrets that are impossible to see from the ground.
Birkenhead
Preparations for the opening of the Queensway Tunnel, Hamilton Square and environs, Birkenhead, 1934
Birkenhead
Hamilton Square and environs, Birkenhead, 1950
Birkenhead
Cammell Laird Shipbuilding and Engineering Works, Birkenhead, 1920
Birkenhead
Cammell Laird and Co Ltd Shipbuilding and Engineering Works and environs, Birkenhead, 1950
Birkenhead
St Anselm's College and the surrounding residential area, Birkenhead, 1952
Birkenhead
St Anselm's College and the surrounding residential area, Birkenhead, 1952
Birkenhead
Hamilton Square, Woodside Station and the Grayson, Rollo and Clover Docks, Birkenhead, 1946
Birkenhead
Woodside Ferry, Woodside Station and Clover's Graving Docks, Birkenhead, 1947
Birkenhead
Gilbrook Basin, the West Float and environs, Birkenhead, 1946
Poulton
The Joseph Rank Ltd Ocean Flour Mills, Poulton, 1951
Historic England Archive images of Birkenhead
The Historic England Archive holds and cares for over 15 million images, from the 1850s to the present day. Discover stunning images of Birkenhead's past.
London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company
Birkenhead, Wirral
Date created: 09 Apr 1895
Birkenhead Town Hall viewed from the west
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Claughton, Birkenhead, Wirral
Date created: 1900 - 1920
GENERAL VIEW SHOWING SWANS ON THE LAKE
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Claughton, Birkenhead, Wirral
Date created: 1900 - 1913
GENERAL VIEW SHOWING THE LAKE
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Claughton, Birkenhead, Wirral
Date created: 1900 - 1910
GENERAL VIEW ACROSS LAKE
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Claughton, Birkenhead, Wirral
Date created: 01 Jan 1900 - 23 Sep 1905
VIEW ACROSS THE LAKE WITH SWAN
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Claughton, Birkenhead, Wirral
Date created: 1900 - 1930
GENERAL VIEW LOOKING TOWARDS BRIDGE
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Claughton, Birkenhead, Wirral
Date created: 1900 - 1930
GENERAL VIEW ACROSS LAKE
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Claughton, Birkenhead, Wirral
Date created: 1900 - 1915
COLOUR TINTED POSTCARD SHOWING GENERAL VIEW WITH WOMAN PUSHING PRAM IN DISTANCE
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Birkenhead Park, Birkenhead, Wirral
Date created: 1900 - 1930
GENERAL VIEW
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Birkenhead Park, Birkenhead, Wirral
Date created: 1906 - 1911
ELEVATION OF THE PARK ENTRANCE
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Claughton, Birkenhead, Wirral
Date created: 1900 - 1920
GENERAL VIEW LOOKING ACROSS LAKE TOWARDS BOAT HOUSE
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Claughton, Birkenhead, Wirral
Date created: 1900 - 1904
GENERAL VIEW SHOWING BOATHOUSE ON THE BANK OF THE EAST LAKE
Stories about heritage in Birkenhead
Historic England publishes news, blogs, videos and podcasts celebrating England's heritage. Discover the stories we have about Birkenhead.
Why Exercising in Historic Green Spaces is Good for Your Mental (and Physical) Health
Mentions Birkenhead
Explore the benefits of historic public parks and green spaces across England.
7 Historic Urban Parks and Gardens To Improve Your Wellbeing
Mentions Birkenhead, Birkenhead Park
Parks and green spaces are vital for our mental and physical health.
Birkenhead’s Hidden Gem of Outsider Art "Ron’s Place" Newly Listed
Mentions 8 Silverdale Road, Oxton, Birkenhead
Ron’s Place, located at 8 Silverdale Road in Birkenhead, Merseyside, has been granted Grade II listing by DCMS on the advice of Historic England.
Explore your social history through photos
Over 10,000 images from the Historic England Archive have been specially selected and re-captioned for teachers, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about heritage in their local area.
Ventilation Station , Birkenhead, Merseyside
Period: 1920s (1920 - 1929)
This ventilation station for the Mersey Road tunnel (Queensway) dates from 1925-34.
Ventilation Station , Birkenhead, Merseyside
Swiss Bridge, Birkenhead Park, Merseyside
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
The Swiss Bridge is a footbridge over part of the east lake. It was put up in 1843-7 but has been renewed several times.
Swiss Bridge, Birkenhead Park, Merseyside
Savoy Cinema, Birkenhead, Merseyside
Period: 1930s (1930 - 1938)
This exterior view of the Savoy Cinema in Birkenhead was taken between 1930 and 1939.
Savoy Cinema, Birkenhead, Merseyside
Remains of Birkenhead Priory, Birkenhead, Merseyside
Period: Medieval (Middle Ages) (1066 - 1484)
The Priory was founded in 1150 by Hamo de Massey as a Benedictine House for sixteen Benedictine (Black) monks and built in several phases up to 1400.
Remains of Birkenhead Priory, Birkenhead, Merseyside
Glover Almshouses, Hoylake Road, Birkenhead, Merseyside
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This pair of almshouses is dated 1901 and was designed by Woolfall and Eccles.
Glover Almshouses, Hoylake Road, Birkenhead, Merseyside
Cammell Laird And Company Limited's Shipyard, Graving Dock, Birkenhead, Merseyside
Period: Edwardian (1902 - 1913)
The battleship HMS Audacious being fitted out in a graving dock at Cammell Laird and Company's shipyard at Birkenhead.
Cammell Laird And Company Limited's Shipyard, Graving Dock, Birkenhead, Merseyside
Birkenhead Town Hall, Hamilton Square, Birkenhead, Merseyside
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
Exterior of Birkenhead Town Hall showing the portico.
Birkenhead Town Hall, Hamilton Square, Birkenhead, Merseyside
Bidston Observatory, Bidston Hill, Bidston, Merseyside
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This observatory was built in 1866 under the supervision of the first director, John Hartup. He also designed the building.
Bidston Observatory, Bidston Hill, Bidston, Merseyside
Visit grant-aided places near you
These places and buildings have been helped by Historic England's financial grants. Find local heritage in your neighbourhood that you never knew existed! Please note that opening times may vary.
Flaybrick Memorial Gardens, Bidston
Grade II* registered cemetery, designed by Edward Kemp with buildings by Lucy and Littler.
Discover more Heritage nearby
Have you got another local place, or somewhere you're planning to visit? Take a look at these other places nearby
