Eastham Country Park

Eastham Country Park
Eastham Country Park
Type Public park
Location Eastham, Merseyside
Coordinates 53°19′45″N 2°57′31″W / 53.3292°N 2.9585°W / 53.3292; -2.9585Coordinates: 53°19′45″N 2°57′31″W / 53.3292°N 2.9585°W / 53.3292; -2.9585
Area 100 acres (40 ha)[1]
Created 1973
Operated by Metropolitan Borough of Wirral
Open All year
Status Open
The path to the pleasure garden and bear pit

Eastham Country Park (or Eastham Ferry) is a country park located in Eastham, Wirral. The park is situated next to the River Mersey and covers an area of 100 acres (40 ha). Facilities at the park include a visitor information centre, tea garden and picnic areas. There are two jetties that were formerly used to ferry people and goods from Wirral to Liverpool with the road leading to the park called 'Ferry Road.'

History

The site was originally used as a ferry for travel between Eastham and Liverpool. There are two jetties the first "Eastham Ferry Jetty" is a landmark offering views of the River Mersey. The second "Job's Ferry" was used for commercial traffic and is currently inaccessible for safety reasons. The ferry service is permanently closed.

In 1846, the area was landscaped with gardens and a pleasure garden. A zoo was later added as a visitor attraction, which included a bear pit, monkey enclosures and a lions' den.[2]

According to BBC Domesday Reloaded, Eastham Country Park was opened on 10 July 1973.[3]

Facilities

The park has a visitor centre with a rangers service and dedicated bird watching room, trails through the woodland, bridleways, a children's play area, toilets, cafes, barbeque areas, paid car parking, seating, a sculpture trail, a dog play area and views of the river Mersey and Liverpool. The old ferry ticket office has been converted into a refreshment kiosk.

Flora and fauna

The park is important for wading birds and wildfowl during the winter.[4] Gull species are also present.[5] Other birds common to the park include the blackbird, blue and great tit, chaffinch, collared dove, magpie, robin, thrush, wood pigeon and wren. Grey squirrels are easily visible around the park.[6] The park contains a 500 year old oak tree.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Eastham Country Park". Visit Wirral. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  2. ↑ Freethy, Ron (17 May 2011). "Eastham Walk". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  3. ↑ "D-block GB-336000-381000". BBC Domesday Reloaded. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  4. ↑ "Eastham Country Park Management Plan" (PDF). Wirral Council. p. 4. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  5. ↑ "Car trip to Dibbinsdale Nature Reserve and Eastham Country Park, Wirral". RSPB. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  6. ↑ "Eastham Country Park". Holiday Inn Express. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  7. ↑ "Chapter 2 The North West - a history full of change" (PDF). Field Studies Council. p. 1. Retrieved 10 September 2016.

Bibliography

  • Annakin-Smith, Anthony (2007). Wirral Walks: 100 Miles of the Best Walks in the Area. Sigma Leisure. ISBN 9781850588238. OCLC 60960959.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.