The history of Birkenhead goes back beyond the Victorian years. The oldest standing building on Merseyside, Birkenhead Priory encapsulates so much of the town's history within a small, enclosed site.
Founded in 1150, the monks of this Benedictine monastery looked after travellers for nearly 400 years and supervised the first regulated 'Ferry cross the Mersey'. Touch the ancient sandstone walls, then look up at the towering cranes of the old Cammell Laird shipyard next door.
The chapter house is consecrated as an Anglican church and there is a chapel dedicated to the training ship HMS Conway. A small museum tells the story of the site and the buildings as you see them today. Now surrounded by factory units and shipyards, the Priory is an oasis of calm in a busy world and affords unrivalled views of the river and surrounding area.
A wide variety of events, from wedding receptions to educational conferences, classic music concerts and open-air theatre, to re-enactments of life in Viking times, take place here. The site has uneven surfaces but most of it is on one level. There is stair access to the Tower, the Refectory and the Conway room. There is a platform lift from the car park onto the site. Guided tours can be arranged.
WINTER OPENING HOURS
Wednesday to Friday - 12 noon to 4pm
Saturdays and Sundays - 10am to 4pm
St Mary’s Tower is locked at 3.30pm
All are welcome
Birkenhead Priory, Priory Street, Birkenhead, Wirral CH41 5JH
Free
Phone: 0151 666 3537
Email: birkenheadpriory@wirral.gov.uk
For more information about the Birkenhead Priory Museum search Birkenhead Priory Museum in this directory.
Visit the Birkenhead Priory website
Visit the Birkenhead Priory Instagram page
