WEST KIRBY

Here is a brief look at the history of West Kirby,
from its early years to the present day.

The site of St.Bridgets Church is known to be where one of the earliest buildings appeared in West Kirby. A church was originally sited there over eight hundred years ago and parts of the present church building date back to the fifteenth century.

Present day, West Kirby

As a small village with houses and Inns dotted around the area, West Kirby was a somewhat remote part of the Wirral. The Beacon on the top of Grange Hill was erected in 1841 following the destruction, during a big storm, of a windmill on the site. The windmill had been used by sailors navigating up the Mersey to Liverpool for many years and it was felt a replacement was essential. Calday Grange Grammar School is sited not far from this site and its history dates back to 1636 when William Clegg founded a free Grammar School.

The arrival of the railway had the biggest impact on the village. The railway from Hoylake to Birkenhead had been completed in 1866 and when this was extended to West Kirby in 1878 it changed the village significantly. Business men could now commute to Birkenhead and on to Liverpool and they soon discovered the village as a nice place to live. The houses and the community soon expanded and the large Ashton Park with paths and gardens was laid out.

In 1886 the West Kirby to Hooton line was opened and with these new railway links in place, the sandy shores soon became a popular place for day-trippers to visit. Donkey rides and pony trap trips to nearby Hilbre Island proved a favourite with visitors. At that time the Island was owned by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, with a lifeboat stationed there. Today Hilbre is under the control of the local authority and the Wirral Rangers and is popular with bird watchers and families alike. The West Kirby to Hooton line no longer exists but the path it took still remains. It is now known as The Wirral Way and is a pleasant route for walkers and cyclists to take.

The grand Hydro Hotel, now demolished, was built on the coast in 1896 and when the South Parade and the Marine Lake opened in 1899, West Kirby became the place to live. By the 1980’s the Lake was suffering from wear and tear and major building work was carried out repairing and increasing the size of the lake significantly. This larger lake and the golden shores continue to be a major attraction for dinghy sailors and visitors from near and far.

West Kirby Marine Lake

The Concourse building, in the middle of the town, provides a variety of leisure facilities and Westbourne Hall Community Centre also run by the local authority, has recently been refurbished with additional rooms and disabled facilities being provided. There is a large hall complete with a fair sized stage. Many local groups use this hall, including Hoylake and West Kirby Theatre Group.

Westbourne Hall