Travel Report: Sefton Park, Liverpool.


Sefton Park, Liverpool.
May 2019. It was another sunny day in Liverpool. Hence Steppers and I knew we had to take full advantage with a visit to the city’s historical and much-loved Sefton Park.
This gorgeous green space began life in 1867 when The Liverpool Corporation purchased it from the ludicrously wealthy Molyneux family, the Earls of Sefton. They had acquired the park from the crown, who’d kept it as a grounds for royal deer.

Sefton Park, Liverpool.
The Liverpool Corporation decided to hold a grand competition where designers could submit their entries for how the new Liverpool park should look. Eventually, a duo of French (Edouard Andre) and English (Lewis Hornblower) architects got the nod.

Édouard André: Knew his shit when it came to parks.
The park opened its doors in 1872 with a cricket ground and a lake for rowboats among its main features. Prince Arthur, Queen Victoria’s third son, was on hand to cut the ribbon. “This public park is for the health and enjoyment of the townspeople” he declared.

Sefton Park, Liverpool.
Since those early years, the city council has added fountains, boathouses and statues. Moreover, the park features tennis courts, football pitches, a bowling green and a jogging circuit.
Above all though, it stands simply as a peaceful, green oasis from which Liverpudlians can come to escape hectic city life.
Sefton Park, Liverpool.

Sefton Park, Liverpool.
It didn’t take me long to sniff out a minor but very cool Beatles spot. According to several local historians, this old Victorian bandstand is where John Lennon’s mother Julia Stanley used to meet up with Alfred Lennon while they were dating in the late 1920s.

“Freddie” Lennon.
Photo courtesy of the Dutch National Archive.
Furthermore, both John and Paul spent hours playing in the park as children, though they never actually met as kids. It’s likely both future Beatles hung out at the bandstand too, as it was (and still is) a popular spot for live music.

Sefton Park, Liverpool.
From the many statues we saw, I particularly liked the one of William Rathbone V, who served as Mayor of Liverpool In the late 1830s.
One of the city’s most celebrated politicians, Rathbone worked tirelessly alongside Kitty Wilkinson, the so-called Saint of the Slums, to establish public baths and washhouses in reaction to the great Cholera epidemic of 1832. He also played a key role in providing financial relief during the great Irish Famine of the 1840s.
What to See & Do, Liverpool.

Sefton Park, Liverpool.
Rathbone’s statue stands in a quiet corner of the park and is a popular reading spot. The perfect place, apparently, to settle down with that Johan Cruyff biography you’ve been meaning to start.

Palm House.
My favourite part of our visit came at Palm House, a stunning, octagonal, iron-framed glass conservatory. Opened in 1896 as a plant house, the building was a gift to the city from the millionaire newspaper businessman Henry Yates Thompson.

Sefton Park, Liverpool.
Designed by the famed builders Mackenzie and Moncur Ltd, a walk around the exterior reveals a statue placed at each corner angle. Showcasing the world’s great explorers, scientists and gardeners, the collection includes the likes of Captain Cook, Christopher Columbus, Darwin and Carl Linnaeus.

Sefton Park, Liverpool.
Palm House sustained heavy damage from bombing during The Liverpool Blitz in 1941 and wasn’t properly restored until the end of the decade. Unfortunately, the building fell into near total decay in the 1980s before finally being brought back to its former glory in 1993. Courtesy of National Lottery funding to the tune of £3.5 million!

The dome at Palm House.
Much of this investment went into the hugely impressive three-tiered dome, which looks particularly splendorous on an afternoon like this, with blue skies and sunshine streaming in through the palm trees.
Sefton Park, Liverpool.

Sefton Park, Liverpool.
Like Sefton Park itself, entrance to Palm House is free, though they do accept donations at the door. I was more than happy to drop a pound into their box, while you can also help out by grabbing a drink and a bite at their little cafe. Which is exactly what this local artist did prior to starting work on a sketch of the dome.

Sefton Park, Liverpool.
There are a handful of cosy cafes in Sefton Park. Steppers and I grabbed lunch at the tiny Sefton Park Cafe, which has outdoor seating by the lake. I’m pleased to report that the coffee was decent and the crumpets suitably buttery and cheesy.
A shout out goes to the excellent waitress that day. She remained so cheerful, despite the fact that she was absolutely rushed off her feet and running the entire operation solo.

Sefton Park, Liverpool.
Sefton Park is open twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. For more info take a look at their website.

Sefton Park, Liverpool.
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27 Comments
How lovely to see inside the Palm House as it was still closed when we visited recently. I can just imagine myself sitting outside with a pot of tea and a slice of cake! Thanks for sharing Leighton. Hope your weekend goes well. Marion
Aww I hadn’t thought of it being closed… but of course. A reason to return I guess. Thanks Marion, you too. The clock is rapidly ticking towards the 17th. Good times coming I hope!
Sefton Park is really stunning – and open 24 hours … that’s a bonus! And you’re right, Palm House is beautiful – I suppose the National Lottery funds has come to good use 😉.
Yeah, god bless the lottery eh? I guess these things do have their uses. Thanks for following this series on Liverpool!
So nice when a city creates a park for the people. Even better when they keep it in good nick. Thanks for sharing. Allan
Thanks Allan!
The Palm House looks amazing! I think I could happily spend a day walking through this lovely park and then having lunch under those beautiful greens of the palm house. I hope you have a great weekend! -Meg
Thanks Meg, on reflection I now wish we’d stopped for some coffee or tea. Have a good weekend too!
Liking the hint of sarcasm in your mention of the Johann Cruyff book.. It’s a while now since I visited Liverpool, maybe I should get back there.
Glad you guys got to read this one in the end. I have emailed you about the notification issue with reposts. Don’t you just love technical gremlins? Have a great weekend.
Amazing adventure. Happy weekend 🙏
Hey, thanks for reading and for the follow!
This is a solid article about this beautiful park in Liverpool. You have a good eye for having noticed this essential reading on Johan Cruyff!
Ha ha, there’s no missing Mr. Cruyff and that 1970s haircut. Thanks for reading!
What a beautiful day at a beautiful park! And those crumpets are the icing on the cake. Sefton Park is definitely on my list should I visit Liverpool someday. 🙂
Crumpets are definitely one of those little tastes of home I miss!
Ahh you went to Liverpool. I hope you enjoyed it! Such a fabulous city. It’s been ages since I was last there.
Thanks for reading. It’s my favorite English city so far!
Awesome! That’s so refreshing to hear. Have you been to my home town of Manchester?
I have, but just once on a day trip many years ago. Manchester is on (my very long list) of places to explore deeper when I return to The UK, hopefully towards the end of the year.
Good for you. It’s a great city and there are soooo many free museums and Galleries for you to check out.
Oh would love to go back for this park! The only time I visited Liverpool I couldn’t do much… it was pouring the whole day, got to visit the Beatles museum and Tate Liverpool… nothing too outdoorsy I’m afraid. thanks for sharing!
Ah that’s a bummer. The weather in England… hope you enjoy the rest of my Liverpool series!
Lovely park. I would enjoy doing a bit of reading there. The Palm House is an impressive structure. Can’t believe you didn’t include a least a selfie in the Lennon bandstand. Enjoyable read.
Thanks Memo, I’ll get that selfie next time I guess. Sladja would love to see Liverpool, so you never know.
What a beautiful little park not something I picture when I think of Liverpool this has changed my perspective
Hey, nice to hear from you! Hope you enjoy the rest of my Liverpool series. Hopefully there are a few more gems you didn’t know about.