Wallasey Tourist Information

Wallasey is a town in Merseyside situated at the mouth of the River Mersey. It stands on higher ground which was once an island separated from the Wirral Peninsula by the marshy creek known as Wallasey Pool. Its name derives from "walha" meaning "stranger" and "ey" meaning "island".

Historic events in the area was the horse racing in the 16th century and 17th century at Leasowe. They took place on the sands for the entertainment of the Earls of Derby. The races were the forerunners of the modern Derby Stakes, named after the original host, the 12th Earl of Derby.

Old maps show the original Wallasey village was a small group of cottages around St Hilary's Church. The first church was probably made of wood and later replaced with a Norman structure probably built by William de Waley around 1182.

Further rebuilding occurred when a tower was added in 1530. In 1757 the ruined building was again rebuilt but burnt down in 1857. The church was finally rebuilt away from the original site, leaving the tower as a freestanding belltower with six bells. Both structures are now Grade II listed buildings.

Wallasey had a mill on Mill Lane, and occasional ferries ran across the Mersey. A gunpowder store was set up at Rock Point in the 18th century.

Farming and fishing were supplemented with smuggling and wrecking. Locals were known to lure ships onto the rocks with false lights. The looted cargo was put in underground cellars and tunnels which are still in evidence today.

In 1839 the Pennsylvania was one of three ships wrecked in a storm off Leasowe. Their furnishings and cargo were later found in local homes. Around this time the area was a fashionable place for wealthy merchants from Liverpool to build grand homes in the area known as New Brighton.

New docks were constructed at Wallasey from 1842 which attracted shipbuilding, engineering and sugar refining to the area.

Present Day Wallasey

Wallasey had a population of over 58,000 at the 2001 census. It is made up of several districts with Liscard as the main shopping centre around the Cherry Tree Shopping Precinct.

Wallasey Town Hall, an imposing building, is in the district of Egremont and was built in 1916 as a war hospital.

Wallasey Village is the wealthiest district and has upscale housing and a showy floral roundabout in the centre. It has a waterfront park and two railways stations at Wallasey Village and Wallasey Grove.

Liscard Hall was destroyed by fire in 2008 but the surrounding grounds of Central Park are now the largest park in the area.

Things to Do Around Wallasey

Wallasey has two golf courses: the Hoylake Golf Club and the Royal Liverpool Golf Club. Altogether there are 14 golf courses on the Wirral Peninsula, 22 miles of coastline to enjoy and 50 miles of rural walks.

The Floral Pavilion at New Brighton hosts regular star-studded shows and boasts the longest promenade in the UK. It runs all the way to Seacombe, a pleasant seven mile walk each way.