Things to do in Birkenhead Park

There’s no shortage of things to do in Birkenhead Park. Since it first opened in 1847, it’s played a key role in the local community. From sports and fitness to education and family walks, it offers something for everybody.

Here are just some of the attractions and activities you can find in your park:

Visitor Centre

Our Visitor Centre reception desk is open from 9 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon, seven days a week (apart from several days during Christmas period). This is where you can find our Park Rangers when they’re not working in the park itself. You’ll be able to talk to someone who will be happy to answer any of your questions. Here you can find leaflets about the park, buy duck food and bird seeds, as well as Birkenhead Park’s souvenirs, books and booklets.

Get in touch

Café

You’ll find our lovely café in the Visitor Centre, where the friendly team serve up a range of drinks, meals and snacks throughout the day. As well as indoor seating there’s also plenty of space to sit outside and enjoy the park’s beauty while taking your refreshment break. One of the most popular treats at the café is the wide range of fresh ice creams, which are available in many delicious flavours.

Food & Drink

Gallery

The Birkenhead Park Gallery is located inside the Visitor Centre. Within its bright and open space, you can experience the talent of some of our local artists during one of our temporary exhibition – from paintings and sculptures to fashion and photography. We also have a permanent exhibition showing the history of Birkenhead Park. This gives visitors the chance to experience the People’s Garden through the ages. If you'd like to utilise our Gallery, get in touch to check availability.

Get in touch

Function room

The Visitor Centre has a lovely function room. This room is suitable for meetings, conferences and training events and can hold up to 40 people. This area is perfect for quiet team meetings where your team get out of the office and have a walk through the park. 

Get in touch

Walking trails

Covering almost 140 acres of parkland, there are so many ways to get around Birkenhead Park. If you want a walk around the park with a little help, we’ve put together a few self-led walking trails you can try. Visit our Walking Trails page for more information.

View walking trails

Health and Fitness Circuit

As you go around Birkenhead Park, you will find several pieces of exercise equipment on the grounds, including pull-up bars, sit-up benches, step machines, and more. These are laid out in an easy-to-follow circuit so you can fit them into your regular fitness routine. Each piece of equipment is set against the beautiful backdrop of the park, giving you something to focus on while you burn your calories.

View circuit

Guided walks

As well as walking trails you can follow at your leisure, we also run guided walks at regular intervals throughout the year. Lead by our experienced team of Park Rangers or by some of our volunteers, these walks combine the beauty of the park with information and insight. To book a space on one of these walks, drop into the Visitor Centre, or give us a call.

Contact

A cricket team playing at Birkenhead Park
Sports
Cricket

Birkenhead Park is home to two cricket clubs – Birkenhead Park Cricket Club and St Mary’s Cricket Club. Birkenhead Park Cricket Club was founded in 1846 and its clubhouse remains one of the country’s oldest cricket pavilions. Today, they play host to district league games throughout the cricket season.

Visit their website
A woman playing tennis in Birkenhead Park
Sports
Tennis

We have several tennis courts that are available year-round for our visitors to use. Located on Cavendish Road, between the upper and lower park – in the space known as the Boothby Ground. These full-size courts are particularly popular during the summer months.

Sign up for coaching sessions
A person Bird Watching at one of Birkenhead Parks lakes
Nature
Bird watching

Binoculars at the ready! If you’re a bird-watcher, there are plenty of opportunities to fill up your book with sightings in Birkenhead Park. We have several species of bird that are resident in the park year-round and even more that are migratory visitors.

A group of friends playing Bowls in Birkenhead Park
Sports
Crown Green Bowls

The park has its own bowling greens. Many local clubs make use of the green and Green 4 is the public open bowling green. Bowling greens are open for use between 10am and 3pm during the week, between March and September. Access to the bowling greens is via pedestrian gate on Park Road North adjacent to the Kendal Bowls Clubhouse.

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Moorhen Family © Ron Thomas
Moorhen parent and child looking at each other
Nature
Wildlife

Birkenhead Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, from our grey squirrels and waterfowl to bats, owls, and more. With different animals showing up at different times of year, you can end up spotting different creatures every time you visit. For more information about the park wildlife, visit our Parklands and Wildlife page elsewhere on the site.

Wildlife
Two rugby players playing in front of Birkenhead Park historic club
Sports
Rugby

Birkenhead Park Rugby Club has been around for over 150 years, having first been founded in 1871. The club has a rich history and are proud to have hosted the New Zealand All Blacks team on no less than four occasions.

Visit their website
Kids walking on a rocky wall in Birkenhead Park
Children’s Playground

The children’s play area is located near the Visitor Centre. It has play equipment for kids of all ages. This includes swings, slides, climbing frames and scramble nets, a roundabout, and boulders.

A cyclist in Birkenhead Park next to The Grand Entrance
Sports
Cycling

Park Drive is a two-mile long road that circles both the upper and lower park. This makes it the ideal route for cyclists who want to get in some training, or simply wish to check out the whole of the park.

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Fishing in Birkenhead Park © Birkenhead News
A man and child fishing at Birkenhead Park next to the red Swiss Bridge
NatureSports
Fishing

Angling is a popular pastime in Birkenhead Park, with many local fisherman making use of our lakes in all weathers. Anglers visiting Birkenhead Park will need to have an Environment Agency Rod License – which can be purchased online or at your local Post Office – and a permit for fishing in Birkenhead Park which can be acquired from the Visitor Centre.

Contact
A group of school children posing at the Finnish Heart made from logs
Nature
Forest Schools

Our Forest School Leaders run regular sessions for the children and young people from our local schools and organisations. These practical, educational sessions offer a connection to nature for the kids that provides a calming influence. If you are an education setting or a community organisation, and would like more info, do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

Contact
Training Centre

Keep an eye out for Accredited Training Courses and Short Courses run from Birkenhead Park

Learn More at Birkenhead Park
Ranger pointing at something next to two children in the park
Holiday activities

During the school holidays, our rangers run Junior Ranger programmes in the park. These events are open to all and give your children the chance to engage in creative crafts, games, and activities that can be enjoyed by the entire family.

Contact
Williamson Art Gallery & Museum
CultureHeritage & history
Williamson Art Gallery & Museum

One of Wirral’s hidden gems, Williamson Art Gallery & Museum is minutes walk from the park.

Visit their website