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Essential Hotels > England > Merseyside
Merseyside is a metropolitan county situated in North West England. Merseyside has a population of around 1.4 million people and encompasses five metropolitan boroughs: Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Wirral and the city of Liverpool. The county of Merseyside reaches from the Wirral peninsula out across to the River Mersey, and borders a number of counties, including Lancashire, Greater Manchester, and Cheshire. There is evidence that a settlement had been founded in the location of Liverpool as early as the Iron Age, however the oldest known building is Birkenhead Priory, located in the port town of Birkenhead. Historically, Merseyside's fortunes were built around its maritime industry. At its heart is the city of Liverpool, which has grown to become one of the major cities within the UK. One of the main reasons the city has been able to attain such prominence is its close proximity to the docks.
Worldwide trade links were established from these docks, the earliest links being with Indo-China. Because of these trade connections, the oldest Chinatown in existence was established here and is still a thriving part of the community to this day. At the peak of Liverpool’s success, there were around 40 docks trading with all four corners of the world. Liverpool’s shipbuilding industry was also noteworthy, providing a variety of jobs across the area. In 1828 William Laird started shipbuilding works across the River Mersey, around which the town of Birkenhead was designed and custom-built. Birkenhead was created to house the employees from the shipyards. Likewise, Port Sunlight, on the Wirral, is a 19th century village that was created for workers in the Lever soap factory. It is a unique example of how Victorian ideals were put into practice. Its grade II listed houses, museums and quaint charm is a far cry from the mental images of cramped, scruffy conditions that the Industrial Revolution usually conjures up, and an example of how important industry was to Merseyside.
For those with a keen eye, much of Merseyside's history can be viewed through its architecture. Liverpool is a prime example. Its success was reflected in its cityscape. It has some beautifully grand heritage buildings including St. Georges Hall, which is notable for being one of the best neo classical structures in Europe, and the Three Graces, which consists of the Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and The Port Of Liverpool building.
Worldwide trade links were established from these docks, the earliest links being with Indo-China. Because of these trade connections, the oldest Chinatown in existence was established here and is still a thriving part of the community to this day. At the peak of Liverpool’s success, there were around 40 docks trading with all four corners of the world. Liverpool’s shipbuilding industry was also noteworthy, providing a variety of jobs across the area. In 1828 William Laird started shipbuilding works across the River Mersey, around which the town of Birkenhead was designed and custom-built. Birkenhead was created to house the employees from the shipyards. Likewise, Port Sunlight, on the Wirral, is a 19th century village that was created for workers in the Lever soap factory. It is a unique example of how Victorian ideals were put into practice. Its grade II listed houses, museums and quaint charm is a far cry from the mental images of cramped, scruffy conditions that the Industrial Revolution usually conjures up, and an example of how important industry was to Merseyside.
For those with a keen eye, much of Merseyside's history can be viewed through its architecture. Liverpool is a prime example. Its success was reflected in its cityscape. It has some beautifully grand heritage buildings including St. Georges Hall, which is notable for being one of the best neo classical structures in Europe, and the Three Graces, which consists of the Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and The Port Of Liverpool building.