The Birkenhead Heritage TrailWirral Museum
Williamson Art Gallery and Museum
Birkenhead Priory and St. Mary's Tower
Shore Road Pumping Station
Egerton Bridge
Birkenhead Tramway
Wirral Transport Museum
Birkenhead Priory and St. Mary's Tower
Birkenhead Priory and St. Mary's Tower Priory Street Birkenhead CH41 5JH 0151 666 1249
Free Admission
Summer Opening Times Wednesday - Friday 1pm - 5pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm.
Winter Opening Times Wednesday - Friday 12noon - 4pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am - 4pm.
Also open Bank Holidays. Other times by Appointment.
In 1150 Hamo De Massey the 3rd Baron of Dunham Massey established a monastery of 16 Benedictine monks and a prior
dedicated to Saint Mary and Saint James. The monastery was dissolved in June 1536 and the priory church dismantled soon after. The building were in ruin in 1650. The site was used as a farm in the 19th century. In 1896 the site was purchased by Mr Aldridge and some local historians and restored in 1896 by Mr Haswell and Son, Stone Masons, Chester.
Birkenhead Priory & St Mary's Tower Tours
We’re delighted to announce that from Saturday 29th April 2023 we’re beginning free TIMED GUIDED TOURS around our incredible, nearly 900 year old Birkenhead Priory site.
FREE to enter and dog friendly.
Donations accepted.
So come along and “DISCOVER MORE ON A PRIORY TOUR”
Learn all about the black monks of Birkenhead, the first “ferrry cross the Mersey” service from 1150 to 1536 and explore our beautiful, original buildings and ruins.
You can also climb St Mary’s Tower for spectacular views of the Liverpool waterfont, Cammell Laird’s shipyards and the surrounding area.
TIMED GUIDED TOURS
WEDNESDAYS to FRIDAYS Tours beginning at: 1.30pm and 2.30pm
And SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS
Tours beginning at 11.00am, 1.00pm and 2.00pm.
No need to book.
Last entry to the Birkenhead Priory site is 4.30pm. Closes 5.00pm.
Museum Display
A large heavy key found in the chapter house in 1913. Thought to date from the 12th century possibly used by the prior.
Saintonge Jug
Fragments of a green-glazed jug used at the priory dating to the late 13th or early 14th century.
Imported from Saintonge in France, they expensive and were used to hold wine.
In 1896 an incomplete skeleton of a small sheep was found under the south west buttress of the priors lodgings.
Thought to date from 13th or 14th century. It may be a sacrificial offering a curious cross over of Christian and pagan beliefs.
Cistercian ware 1500-1536. Drinking vessels.
The Chapel
St Mary's Tower
The view from the tower. North across the Mersey to Liverpool
The view from the tower. East the Shipyards and Helsby in the far off distance
The view from the tower. West Birkenhead town centre and Hamilton Square
Shore Road Pumping Station
Hamilton Square, Birkenhead. Tel : 0151 650 1182
Open Summer Saturday and Sunday 1pm - 5pm.
Winter 12noon - 4pm (November - March)
Closed Monday - Friday (except by appointment)
School Holidays (Easter, Spring Half Term and Summer)
Wednesday to Sunday times as above
Monday and Tuesday (except Bank Holidays)
Check for Christmas and New Year Opening.
The home of the 'Giant Grasshopper' a working example of the giant steam pumps built in the 1870's which were used to clear water from the Railway tunnelbeneath the Mersey. Presentation tells the story of the construction of the Mersey Railway Tunnel, the pump and the building itself, and ends with a view of the 'Giant' in action. A period 1901 Birkenhead street scene completes the visit.
Other Attractions
Williamson Art Gallery and Museum
Slatey Road, Birkenhead, CH43 4UE.
Tel 0151 652 4177
Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm. Closed Monday (except Bank Holidays). Check for Christmas and New Year Opening.
Wirral Museum
Hamilton Square, Birkenhead, CH41 5BR.
Tel 0151 666 4010
Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm. Closed Monday (except Bank Holidays). Check for Christmas and New Year Opening.
Egerton Bridge
Morpeth Dock, Birkenhead.
By Appointment Only 0151 666 4000.
The Birkenhead Tramway and Wirral Transport Museum
1 Taylor Street, Birkenhead, CH41 1BG.
Tel : 0151 647 2128
Open Summer Saturday and Sunday 1pm - 5pm.
Winter 12noon - 4pm (November - March)
Closed Monday - Friday (except by appointment)
School Holidays (Easter, Spring Half Term and Summer) Wednesday to Sunday time as above.
Closed Monday and Tuesday (except Bank Holidays). Check for Christmas and New Year Opening.
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