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The Association of British Counties

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British Place Names

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Birkenhead, Cheshire

Birkenhead is a town in Cheshire, on the Wirral peninsula. It lies on the west bank of the River Mersey, opposite Liverpool. Birkenhead is an ancient port known especially for its history of shipbuilding. Birkenhead Priory and the Mersey Ferry were established in the 12th century. Shipbuilding and ironworking began in the 1820s. The Mersey Railway tunnel opened in 1886. Hamilton Square is a Georgian Square designed by James Gillespie Graham. Birkenhead Park was designed by Joseph Paxton and opened in 1847. From 1889-1974, for local government purposes, the town was the basis of the county borough of Birkenhead. The town is within the council area of Wirral.

Place Type: Town
Historic County: Cheshire
Lat, Long: 53.389697,-3.011393
Grid Reference: SJ 3283 8857
Council Area: Wirral CA
Strategic Authority Area: Liverpool City Region SA
Police Area: Merseyside PA

GBPN ID: 3801
Entry Type: Main listing (P)
URL: https://gazetteer.org.uk/place/Birkenhead,_Cheshire_3801

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