An Illustrated Guide To Liverpool - 1902' takes us on a walk around the Parks of Liverpool.
Liverpolitans can congratulate themselves in possessing so many
beautiful Parks. The visitor will find it a simple matter to reach any of these
delightful spots by taking advantage of the excellent system of electric trams,
or by a short railway journey.
A glance at the map will show that all these open spaces are
situated at a considerable distance from the heart of Liverpool. For many years
the march of the builder was unchecked, but the late Mr. Richard Vaughan Yates
generously presented to the Corporation land which he had purchased from the
Earl of Sefton for £50,000. This property, which originally formed part of the
Toxteth Royal Park, was laid out in 1843 as the “ Princes Park.” (Note. -The
Park may be reached by tram to Princes Park Gates.) If the visitor approach
this Park by tram, he will pass through one of the finest thoroughfares in
Liverpool. Quite a Boulevard is this Princes Road and Avenue, with its Road double row of trees and fine central
promenade; and from end to end are seen Churches of all denominations. At the beginning of Catherine Street an English Presbyterian
Church, with spire; in Princes Road, the Byzantine Greek Church, with four
domes (modelled from the Church of St. Theodore of Constantinople). Almost
opposite this building is the Church of St. Margaret, separated by Streatlam
lowers (a private residence) from the great Jewish Synagogue. Facing this Jewish Synagogue is the new red circular Place of
Worship for the Deaf and Dumb. Between this building -at the commencement of the
Boulevard -and the Park gates, are several Churches of the Nonconformists on
both sides of the road, the most noticeable being the Welsh Church, with good spire, standing at the corner
of Upper Hill Street, the Gothic Presbyterian Church of England, in Upper
Warwick Street, and, with its big gates and steps, the imposing looking front of
the Baptist Chapel, near the Princes Park entrance: yet again a classic
building does duty for the Park Lodge. Inside the grounds, at a short distance
from the Princes Road entrance, stands an obelisk, “To the memory of Richard
Vaughan Yates, the enlightened and philanthropic founder of Princes Park.” This
memorial was erected by public subscription, 1858. The little Park is well wooded, has a pretty stretch of
water with an island, well covered
with shrubs, etc.
Situated at a short walking distance, to the east of Princes Park,
is Sefton Park. This is undoubtedly the finest, as it is the largest, of the
Liverpool Parks. It is nearly 400 acres in extent,
and only a trifle smaller than Hyde Park. 'Some 25 acres have been added to the land purchased by the Corporation
for £250,000 from the Earl of Sefton in 1854, and a vast sum has been expended
in laying out the ground. The Park was opened by Prince Arthur in 1872. This is
a delightful spot. It has a large review ground, and great spaces are set apart
for the enjoyment of games and sports. Excellent
roads run through and all round the
Park, which are much appreciated by cyclists. Its charm is greatly enhanced by
the lake and running streams, which we constantly come across unexpectedly.
There is also an absence of the usual bridges over the water, so that recourse
has to be made to the more primitive means of stepping-stones. The waterfowl
and peacocks are a great source of interest to the children. At the eastern end
of the Park are fern-bordered lakes, with fountains, overlooking which a statue
to William Rathbone stands, having a granite pedestal and bronze bas-reliefs. A
beautiful Palm House is situated at the end of the Central Drive. On a marble
seat facing one of the doors of the building we read that “ This Palm House was
presented to the City of Liverpool, A.D 1896, by Henry Yates Thompson,
grandnephew of Richard Vaughan Yates, the founder of Princes Park.” This
circular building is 70 feet in height and 113 feet in width. The glass dome is
surmounted by a fine copper vane of Columbus’
ship. The visitor will note the highly ornate character of the four gates with
the lions, “liver” bird, and eagles ; and also the statues of John Parkinson,
apothecary to James I., Prince Henry the Navigator, the pioneer of Atlantic
exploration, the famous gardener, Andre le Notre, Captain James Cook, Linnaeus,
and Charles Darwin, which stand round the building. Sefton Park also contains
an interesting Aviary, with a fine collection of birds. Similar Aviaries have
been erected in Stanley Park and Newsham Park, the whole being the gift of City
Councillor J. R. Grant. On its eastern side a fine bridge spans the Park, which
conducts to History Mossley Hill, a favourite place of residence of the
well-to-do. The tower of the fine Church of Mossley Hill is quite a land-mark,
and from this vantage the Welsh Hills may be seen. Before leaving the
neighbourhood of Sefton Park, the visitor should make a point of walking down
Ullet Road, which runs by the north side of the Park, where at no great
distance from each other four interesting churches are to be seen. Standing
just outside the Croxteth Gate entrance of Sefton Park is the Sefton Park
Presbyterian Church of England, built in church 1879, at a cost of £22,000, and
enlarged in 1887. A fine Gothic building in Stourton stone, with spire 157 feet
in height. The well-known “ Ian Maclaren,” Rev. John Watson, D.D., preaches
here. At a short distance from this building is the beautiful Church dedicated
to St. Agnes, erected in 1885 by Mr. Douglas Horsfall, to the memory of his
father; and the new Ullet Road Unitarian Church, which was opened in 1899 at a
cost of £25,000.
Taking the Parks in their order, stretching across the suburbs of
Liverpool from south to north, that of Wavertree next claims our notice. The
Wavertree Playground, a great field not far from Sefton Park, and adjoining
Wavertree Station (L. & N. W.Railway.) must not be confounded with the
Wavertree Park. This great Playground for children cost £80,000, and was
presented to the Corporation by Philip Holt, and opened by the Lord Mayor of
Liverpool in September 1895.
The Wavertee Park (by
train) is very near to the North Western Edge Hill Station. The
Corporation in 1843 purchased the property of 24 acres, with the original
intention of building a gaol on it. The Grounds are pleasantly laid out with
ornamental lake, a band stand, and shelters. Two guns, captured .at Sevastopol
in 1854, are placed by the central path, and there is a pretty “ liver ” bird
fountain to the left. A great portion of the ground is taken up by the
walled-in Botanic Gardens, which lie to the north-east, and cover some 12
acres. These are most interesting to plant lovers, and everything is carefully
labelled. At the end of the Gardens, running parallel to Edge Lane, is the fine
Conservatory, with lofty central palm house. On either side of the main doorway
are figures of “Tam o’ Shanter ” and “ Souter Johnny.”
Newsham and Shiel Parks occupy a central position in the suburbs
of Liverpool, the nearest station being Tue Brook (L. & N.W.R.).
The estate dates from the time of Henry III., and is mentioned as “Neusum.”
The Liverpool Corporation bought this land in 1846 for £85,000. The small
triangular Park of some 15 acres, made in 1862, is separated from Newsham Park
by the Shiel Road, and was named after a popular Alderman. It is chiefly a
children’s playground. There is a fine drive all round the Newsham Park, that
on the western side leading out of Newsham Drive, being known as the “Judge’s
Drive.” By the side of the first named Drive, which runs the length of the
Park, are pleasant residences, and the broad paths are well planted with trees.
The “Judge’s Drive” winds by the east side of Newsham House,” which stands
overlooking the Park. This house is known as the “Judge’s Lodgings,” and it is
used by the judges when on circuit.. - In going from the western to the eastern
side of the Park we make a gradual descent. The lower, eastern side, is the
more picturesque with its lakes and fine foliage. Standing by the lakes and
with frontage to the “Orphan Drive” is the fine "Seamens Orphanage." This noble Institution was founded in 1869 by the principal
shipowners of Liverpool. It gives a home to about 350 children of poor seamen,
who have lost their lives at sea, and the widows and relatives are assisted out
of the funds. A sum of £9,500 is annually expended. The Institution was opened
by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1874. Opposite the main entrance to the Park at the
junction of West Derby Road and Rocky Lane, is St. Margaret’s Church, Anfield.
It has a very lofty chancel, and well carved capitals to its marble columns. At
the terminus of West Derby Road is the Parish Church of West Derby. This is one
of the finest Churches in the diocese and was built from the designs of Sir
Gilbert Scott on a site given by the late Earl of Sefton, the grandfather of
the present Earl. The Church was consecrated in 1856, and the fine proportions
of the whole building, with its carving and stained glass windows, make it well
worthy of notice.
By L. & N.W.Railway. to Walton Station, and walk down Mere
Lane; or by tram from Lime Street to Spellow Lane, will take the visitor to Stanley
Park. In speaking of Stanley Park, if we except the Pleasure Park of Bootle,
and other smaller Recreation Grounds, we deal with the most northern of the
Liverpool Parks. This fine Recreation Ground cost £120,000, and was opened in
1865. It takes a similar place on the Everton and Kirkdale side of Liverpool to
that held by the Sefton Park on the southern side of the City. The most
striking features of this beautiful Pleasure Ground are the extensive views
which are obtainable to the east, north, and west. The visitor will, however,
be wise in noting the Corporation remarks with regard to wind and weather,
which will save him much disappointment in sight-seeing, for chimney smoke is
generally too much in evidence. There is a fine wide Esplanade in the Park,
which is backed by a wall with Gothic arches, and at each end and in the centre
are shelters. This Esplanade, with wings to right and left, is tastefully laid
out with flower beds, and at the eastern side are seen two iron scroll
telescope stands, the tops of which are handsome mortuary chapels with spires,
for the Church of England, Nonconformist, and Roman Catholic sections of the
community. To the right the fine sandstone tower of the Crematorium is
observable. Lying to the north of the Cemetery and Stanley Park is Walton Hill,
St. Mary’s Church, the Mother Church of Liverpool, is well worth seeing, with
its strangely
uncared-for looking graveyard. The handsome Church is almost
entirely modern, but it possesses many mural monuments, and a fine old font is
to be seen at the west end. The tower is strikingly like that of the daughter Church of St. Nicholas, bereft of its lantern.
Link
Source
Central Library
Liverpool Records Office
Littlebury Brothers
Leonard Pattern
Robert F Edwards
