Skip to main content
The new name for DisabledGo

Search for accessible places to go

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Birkenhead Park

Park Drive, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 4HY

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Overview - Birkenhead Park

  • About View
    • Opened in 1847, Birkenhead Park was the very first publicly funded public park not only in Britain, but in the world. It was designed by the renowned British landscaper Sir Joseph Paxton, and provided the inspiration for public parks worldwide, with arguably the most iconic park in the world – Central Park New York – taking its inspiration from Birkenhead Park.
    • The park is divided in two by Ashville Road, with the larger Lower Park to the southeast and the smaller Upper Park to the northwest.
    • The following is available here: a café, gardens, an outdoor gym, parkland, a playground, a playground with adaptations, sports courts, sports pitches, a visitor centre and woodland.
    • View information on opening times.
  • Parking and Public Transport View
    • The venue does not have its own car park.
    • There is not a public car park nearby.
    • There is on-street Blue Badge Bay parking, on-street standard parking and a taxi rank.
    • The nearest train station is Birkenhead Park.
    • This station has step-free access.
    • The nearest bus station is Birkenhead.
    • This bus station has step-free access.
    • For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Google Maps (opens new tab).
    • The park has 18 entrances, which are numbered and named as follows:-
    • 1. Grand Entrance, Park Road North
    • 2. Cole Street Entrance, Park Road East
    • 3. Park Road South Footpath
    • 4. Gothic Lodge Entrance, Park Road South
    • 5. Ashville Road/Park Road West Entrance
    • 6. Ashville Road Lower Park
    • 7. Ashville Road Upper Park
    • 8. Ashville Road Upper Park Footpath
    • 9. Park Road West Footpath
    • 10. Castellated Lodge Entrance, Park Road West
    • 11. Norman Lodge Entrance, Park Road North
    • 12. Boothby Ground, Cavendish Road
    • 13. Upper Park Footpath, Cavendish Road
    • 14. Boothby Ground, Park Road North
    • 15. Boothby Ground, Park Road North
    • 16. Ashville Road Upper Park
    • 17. Ashville Road Lower Park
    • 18. Visitor Centre Entrance, Park Road North.
  • Getting Around View
    • The following areas have stepped access: the Roman Boathouse and Swiss Bridge.
    • The following areas have step-free access via slopes: areas throughout the park.
    • Circulation routes around the site consist of: surfaced footpaths and grassed areas.
    • Resting areas are available along circulation routes.
    • Wayfinding signage is provided.
    • Map boards are provided.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • You can borrow or hire the following equipment: mobility scooter charging facilities.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
  • Related Access Guides View

Parking

  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.
  • Public Parking View
    • On-street designated Blue Badge parking and standard parking is available.
    • The on-street designated Blue Badge parking bays are located on Park Road North and Ashville Road.
    • The Blue Badge bays have faded markings.
    • There is standard on-street parking on streets all round the park.

Grand Entrance - Park Road North / East

  • Access Point View
    • This access point is located at the corner of the park off the junction of Park Road North and Park Road East.
    • The approach to the access point has uneven surfaces.
    • The access point is not clearly signed.
    • There is step-free level access at the access point.
    • There is a double gate at this access point.
    • The gates are permanently held open.
    • One of the gates was locked at the time of the survey.
    • The width of the opening is 120cm.
    • The gates have a high colour contrast.

Lower Park Entrance - Ashville Road

  • Access Point View
    • This access point is located off Ashville Road.
    • The access point is not clearly signed.
    • There is step-free level access at the access point.
    • There is a double gate at this access point.
    • The gates are permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 214cm.
    • The gates have a high colour contrast.

Visitor Centre Entrance - Park Road North

  • Access Point View
    • This access point is located off Park Road North.
    • The approach to the access point has uneven surfaces.
    • The access point is not clearly signed.
    • There is step-free level access at the access point.
    • There is a double gate at this access point.
    • The gates are permanently held open.
    • The gates require effort to open.
    • One of the gates was locked at the time of the survey.
    • The width of the opening is 143cm.
    • The gates have a high colour contrast.

Lower Park

  • About View
    • The following is available in this area: a playground, a playground with adaptations, sports pitches, an outdoor gym, parkland, woodland, walkways and grounds.
    • Additional facilities in this area include: a bowling green and visitor centre.
  • Getting Around View
    • There are surfaced footpaths throughout.
    • Surfaced footpaths consist of: tarmac.
    • The majority of the surfaced footpaths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
    • Some footpaths have sections with potential obstacles such as: uneven surfaces and overgrowing vegetation.
    • There are seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have stepped access: the Roman Boathouse.
    • The following areas have step-free access via slopes: areas throughout the park.
    • Bridges with steps and slopes were closed at the time of survey due to safety concerns (April 2026).
  • Playground View
    • The playground is accessed via a gate.
    • The width of the opening is 102cm.
    • The play equipment is within easy reach for seated and standing users and users of different heights.
    • The following play experiences are available: swinging, sliding, rocking, rotating, climbing, balancing and viewing.
    • Routes around the play equipment are firm and even.
    • Routes around the play equipment are at least 150cm wide.

Upper Park Entrance - Ashville Road

  • Access Point View
    • This access point is located off Ashville Road.
    • The access point is not clearly signed.
    • There is step-free access via a slope.
    • The slope has a steep gradient.
    • There is a double gate at this access point.
    • The gates are permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 233cm.
    • The gates have a high colour contrast.

Upper Park Entrance - The Norman Lodges

  • Access Point View
    • This access point is located off Park Road West, near the corner with Park Road North.
    • The approach to the access point has a bollard.
    • The access point is not clearly signed.
    • There is step-free level access at the access point.
    • There is a double gate at this access point.
    • The gates are permanently held open.
    • The width of the opening is 110cm.
    • The gates have a high colour contrast.

Upper Park

  • About View
    • The following is available in this area: a grassed play area, woodland, walkways and grounds.
  • Getting Around View
    • There are surfaced footpaths throughout.
    • Surfaced footpaths consist of: tarmac.
    • The majority of the surfaced footpaths are wide enough for wheelchair users.
    • Some footpaths have sections with potential obstacles such as: overgrowing vegetation.
    • There are seats situated along the paths for people to rest.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas.
    • The following areas have step-free access via slopes: areas throughout the park.