The Wirral, aka "paradise peninsula", is a wonderful place to live.
There are miles of beaches, green countryside and beauty spots to see. It is also steeped in history, from art galleries to museums where you can learn more about the area.
Yes, it has its share of issues as most places do, but generations of children have had wonderful childhoods here on the peninsula.
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Most people who grew up on the Wirral will have done or know about the things listed below. Many of these things make fond memories, with some you can still do now and share with your own children and grandchildren.
Some of these top memories and rites of passage as a youngster come from ECHO readers. And while it can't be a definitive guide to everything people did growing up on the Wirral, we think this is a good place to start.
Take a look below:
Riding the train at Royden Park Miniature Railway
If you ever went on a walk in Royden Park as a child, you can guarantee you begged your parents if you could have a ride on the miniature railway.
It still runs today, and the steam-powered miniature railway is run by Wirral Model Engineering Society. The train usually runs on a Sunday from 1pm to 4pm with additional dates over the summer.
Ice cream at Parkgate
It is on the bucket list for anyone visiting Wirral and should be for every child.
A classic seaside pasttime at a very different part of our coastline with Parkgate's unique salt marshes and wonderful wildlife.
Joytime
Every child in Wirral, and perhaps Merseyside, should have at least been in the audience of Joytime and some hardcore fans could have even been on stage in one of their talent competitions over the years.
The family show takes place in Vale Park in New Brighton every summer holiday and has been going for more than 60 years.
Having fun at the Wirral show
Running for 33 years, the Wirral Show, held at New Brighton was an integral part of the childhood of many people growing up in the borough.
The huge two-day event in New Brighton was axed when organisers the Rotary Club of Wallasey and the Wallasey Lions Club pulled out. It was one of the UK's biggest free-to-enter summer attractions that drew crowds of thousands from all over Merseyside and beyond.
The show was crammed full of rides, stalls and entertainments along the picturesque coastline overlooking the mouth of the River Mersey. Sadly in 2009, after 33 years, the Wirral Show was cancelled forever after organisers the Rotary Club of Wallasey and the Wallasey Lions Club pulled out.
The event is still remembered fondly by many, with people saying a return of the Wirral show could be a jewel in the crown of the Wirral seaside resorts recent resurgence.
Walking out to Hilbre Island
And hopefully not getting stuck by the tide. If you are lucky, you might have spotted a seal or two in the waters around the island when you were a child.
If you do decide to walk out to Hilbre Island, Little or Middle Eye, please ensure you check the tide times otherwise you may get cut off from the mainland by the tide.
Learning to swim at Guinea Gap
Or Hoylake swimming pool, Livingstone Baths - or Livvy Baths - in Birkenhead which had the aroma of the nearby brewery on the way passed.
Guinea Gap also hosted days where dolphins would put on shows - something of its times and something we will not see again.
Sledging in Harrison Park
Snow is a rare thing in Wirral. Because we are surrounded by mountains and the warm Irish Sea, we have a micro climate.
And this means when it snows in the UK, we will probably get some sleet. But when it does appear, you have to be ready with your sledge before it turns to slush.
And one of the best places to go sledging is on the hills of Harrison Park.
Hoylake Lifeboat Day
A fun-packed day where the RNLI get the whole family involved by showing them around the lifesaving boats and equipment by some of their dedicated volunteers.
It celebrates their history in the area, as a lifeboat station has been in Hoylake since 1803. Their open days are also a great way to raise money for the team
Playing at the Wacky Warehouse
Who remembers those terrifying Wacky Warehouse mascots? They may have been odd but we kind of loved them. Running wild in the soft play, followed by colouring and pizza was one of the best children’s birthday parties back in the day.
One location on the Wirral included Arrowe Park.
Crabbing In New Brighton
Your dad would stick a bit of bacon fat on the end of the hook and you’d spend ages trying to catch a big one - but usually end up with seaweed. The simple things were often the best.
New Brighton fair
The pinnacle of childhood - a trip to the fair - and none were better than New Brighton. There was nothing better than trying to catch each other in bumper cars or seeing who could bounce higher on the trampoline.
Spaceport
Walking through the doors of the activity centre to see space spread out in front of you was glorious. It was another place you could spend hours in.
Catching a film at one of our lost cinemas
The former Cannon Cinema on Conway Street in Birkenhead was first opened as the Empire Cinema in 1917.
Many remember visiting all the way through into the 90s when it was owned by the Cannon Group. It became the night club Marbella Mambo which also closed.
A devastating fire broke out in the vacant building in 2019 and it has since been demolished. Then there is the Apollo Cinema, or the old Unit 4 Picturehouse, or even the Gaumont if you are a little more mature...
By the late 90s the old cinema was affectionately known as 'the fleapit' as some of the interiors had seen better days. Once it closed by the turn of 2000, the building on King Street, Seacombe, fell into further disrepair and was demolished to make way for flats which were built by 2008.
Or the Capitol Cinema in Liscard which opened in 1926 and was taken over by Associated British Cinemas (ABC) in 1930. It closed as a cinema in 1974 and shortly after reopened as a bingo hall, but that closed in 2000. The foyer and interior was demolished in 2008.
Spending your Saturdays shopping at Chelsea Girl
Or as reader, Michelle Duffy said: "Tandy, Woolies, Spoils, Toy & hobby, Stolen from Ivor, BHS, Grandfayre and the market when it was booming and there were security guards on every aisle."
Saturday shopping with your mates was a must for most kids and working out exactly how much money you had left for lunch. Another on Facebook said: "Birkenhead market for trendy shoes for school."
Eating at Finnigan's
Hayley Dilworth said: "Eating in Finnigan’s in Hoylake and then going to the little theme park/play area in the back of it.
"I was only little so can’t remember in detail but I can picture it and remember I loved going. I remember nearly getting locked in the theme park bit, we must have had a late dinner and then my mum and dad and I went in.
"We obviously walked around and it was just us and when we walked back the doors were closed (was only little so can’t remember all - just my dad knocking). Health and safety not big in those days haha - obviously a quick check, couldn’t see anyone so locked up."
Open-air swimming baths
The slightly younger generation of ECHO readers are probably sick of hearing about how good the New Brighton baths were.
But they did miss out. New Brighton had an open-air swimming pool from June 13, 1934, when it was opened by Viscount Leverhulme, until 1990 when it was damaged beyond repair by a storm.
There are plans to bring back an outdoor pool of some kind, but that has been put on hold since Wirral Council pulled out from funding feasibility studies.
Gala Day at Central Park
This was a huge day featuring a parade with a variety of floats and talents. Cheerleading squad, marching bands and donkey rides were included, demonstrations from the local fire brigade as they would scale the former Liscard Hall.
Taking the ferry to Liverpool
If you live in Wirral and haven't taken the ferry across the Mersey, then are you even from Wirral?
The ferries have been going across the river for centuries and current ferries were brought in the in 1960s. Snowdrop was previously named Woodchurch, while the Royal Iris was called Mountwood.
Walking on West Kirby Marine Lake
Set on the very tip of the Peninsula with stunning views of the Welsh Hills and the Dee Estuary, this man-made saltwater lake is 52 acres in size, 5ft deep and totally enclosed. And your parents probably forced you to have a walk around it to burn off some energy.
It is regarded as one of the best spots in the country for wind surfing because of the strong breezes coming in from the Irish Sea.
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