People in Wirral know their home has so much to offer and there are some attractions we just can't help but point out to visitors.
If you’re from Wirral and get chatting to visitors or friends who aren’t from our neck of the woods, we guarantee there are numerous facts you just can’t help but tell them. This includes some of the famous people who were born and bred here, as well as the history of some of our most iconic sites.
The ECHO has compiled the below list which features 15 things you can’t help but point out to visitors. Be sure to let us know in the comments section anything else you think should be included.
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Central Park is based on Birkenhead Park
One of Wirral’s proudest achievements has to be that the designer of Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted, was inspired by Birkenhead Park. Believed to be the first publicly funded park in England, Olmsted wanted to create something similar in New York that people from all backgrounds and social classes could enjoy. Like Birkenhead Park, Central Park incorporates winding paths, lakes and woodlands.
We have the longest promenade in the UK
New Brighton’s promenade stretches an impressive two miles, making it the longest in the UK. It starts near Fort Perch Rock and travels past the Marine Lake down towards The Pierrott Statue.
The Beatles played at The Tower Ballroom more times than any other venue excluding the Cavern Club
Whenever The Beatles are mentioned, The Cavern Club rightly pops into everyone’s minds with it being where they performed the most. Not many people are aware, however, that New Brighton’s Tower Ballroom was the band’s second most frequented venue, so it’s vital to get that into the conversation when speaking to Wirral visitors.
Daniel Craig went to school here
Actor Daniel Craig attended Hilbre High School in West Kirby. When he took over the iconic role of James Bond, it became a fact that many locals just had to tell people.
It’s ON The Wirral, not IN
Although some people say "in Wirral" in writing, it’s "on the Wirral" in spoken conversations. We’re confident every person from Wirral has had to explain at least once in their lifetime that it's a peninsula, and therefore we live "on" it.
Former Prime Minister Harold Wilson also went to school here
It’s quite the honour being able to tell people that the Wirral helped to educate a Prime Minister. Labour politician Harold Wilson attended the Sixth Form at Wirral Grammar School For Boys in Bebington and was the school’s first Head Boy.
One of the Mersey tunnels features in Harry Potter
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, we bet you can’t help but point out that the Queensway tunnel features in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. The iconic scene shows Harry and Hagrid travelling through the tunnel in Hagrid’s motorbike as they flee from Death Eaters.
Peaky Blinders filmed in Port Sunlight
The much-loved TV show which follows Tommy Shelby and his troublesome family has often filmed in Port Sunlight. The village’s charming cottages and buildings have been used in scenes featuring actors Cillian Murphy and Tom Hardy.
New Brighton Tower was the tallest building in Britain
Before it was dismantled in 1919, New Brighton Tower was once the tallest building in Britain. When it opened between 1898 and 1900, it stood at a whopping 567 feet.
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Parkgate is home to Merseyside's best chippy and ice cream parlour
Every area has what they regard as the best chippy and the best ice cream parlour in their region. It’s believed by many Wirral residents that Parkgate is home to Merseyside’s best chippy (Parkgate Fish & Chips) and ice cream parlour (Nicholls of Parkgate). It’s a fact the rest of Merseyside just needs to accept!
West Kirby beach is the best in Merseyside
Like with the chippy and ice cream parlour, we imagine many areas in Merseyside will claim they have the region’s best beach, but if you ask anyone from Wirral, we’ll say it’s West Kirby. Despite only being around 300 metres long, the beach offers vast areas of flat sand and large sand dunes to explore.
Hilbre Island is one of the smallest uninhabited islands in the country
No trip to West Kirby beach is complete without walking over to Hilbre Island if the sea is out. Not only is it a beautiful and peaceful walk, the island is historic with it being one of the smallest uninhabited islands in England, as no one permanently lives there.
The famous people from Wirral, including Paul Hollywood and Shirley Ballas
Many people were born and raised in Wirral, and sometimes we just can’t help bringing them into conversations with visitors. This is especially true if anything to do with them is mentioned - a chat about Strictly and Bake Off can quickly turn into a history lesson about judges Shirley Ballas and Paul Hollywood being from Wallasey.
We have the oldest brick lighthouse in the UK
Built in 1763, Wirral’s Leasowe Lighthouse is the oldest brick-built lighthouse in the UK. That’s not all it’s famed for, though, as its final lighthouse keeper was a woman - Mrs Mary Elisabeth Williams - who was Britain’s first female lighthouse keeper.
The Wirral was home to England's first indoor arcade
As you can see from this list, many historic moments happened in New Brighton. The New Brighton Palace was said to be the country’s first indoor arcade, offering families various arcade games and rides.
What other things do people from Wirral always point out to visitors? Let us know in the comments section below.
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