Outlying Areas

	Railway Tunnel Entrance, Edge Hill This magnificent undertaking, the greatest of its kind hitherto attempted in this or any other country, has resulted from the dissatisfaction of the merchants and manufacturers of Liverpool and Manchester with the management of the pre-established modes of conveyance - these are, the Duke of Bridgewater's Canal, and the Mersey and Irwell Navigation. [...] From the report of the surveyor, Mr. George Stephenson, it appears, that this gigantic enterprise was commenced in January, 1827, and the excavation completed in September, 1828, and [...] is, we believe, the most spacious subterranean passage hitherto constructed. At a short distance from the mouth of the Tunnel, a smaller one branches off from the main line, intended for the convenience of passengers, &c. who are set down in the suburbs, instead of being conveyed to the chief depot at Wapping. [...] It appears, however, that a new tunnel is now to be formed, directly to the centre of the town in Lime Street.
	Childwall Abbey This place [...] was built by the late proprietor, Bamber Gascoyne, Esq., after the designs of Mr. Nash, architect, London, and completed in 1813. [...] A circular staircase leads from the study to the summit of the Great Tower, whence the prospects are both extensive and beautiful. A populous and well-cultivated plain spreads itself out before the beholder, and impresses him with the cheerful emotions that naturally arise on contemplating the results of successful industry. Commencing at Aughton Hills, near Ormskirk, the view extends beyond Prescot and Farnworth, and terminates towards the south-east, at the ruins of Halton Castle, and Norton Priory, Cheshire, [...] including within its range fifteen miles of rich land, and a large portion of the river Mersey. The beauty of its situation has rendered Childwall the favourite resort of Liverpool citizens on Sundays and holidays, and given to it a celebrity almost equal to that which Richmond possesses in the estimation of our metropolitan tourists. For the accommodation of those amateurs of the beautiful in scenery, a very good inn has been erected, about two hundred yards from the Hall. It is denominated the 'Abbey,' from a tradition that on this spot stood an ancient Abbey of Childwall, although, after diligent search, we have come to the conclusion, that no monastic establishment of the kind ever existed in this part of the country, and that the designation of the house has originated in a confusion of the terms 'Chantry' and 'Abbey.'
	Wavertree Hall The present residence was built more than a century ago. [...] Without much pretension to architectural elegance, it exhibits a degree of quiet old-fashioned comfort and sober antiquity, which is almost peculiar to itself in the immediate neighbourhood of Liverpool, where everything speaks of modern affluence and recent acquirement. Its rookery of venerable elms is, probably, the growth of many centuries, and its sunny and sheltered situation has been peculiarly favourable to the cultivation and beauty of its trees, shrubs, and flowers of all kinds. The terrace appears to be a diminished copy of the noble one at Croxteth Hall.
	Birkenhead from Liverpool The engraving presents the reader with a view of the village of Birkenhead - a place formerly of considerable fame on account of its venerable Priory, the remnants of which still remain - and the bold outline of the Cheshire shore, as seen from Liverpool. Taking in a foreground composed of interesting details connected with commercial life, the spectator's eye is carried across the waters of the Mersey, presenting at intervals all the varieties of floating machinery, either lying quietly at anchor, spreading their canvass to the breeze, or moving with the undulations of the tide. The surface of the stream bears witness to the arts and energies of industrious enterprise, which on every side seems to have imparted life to inanimate matter. On reaching the opposite shore, the erections of architecture arrest the attention of the beholder, whose eye thence wanders over an extent of fertile country, which cannot be surveyed without the most gratifying emotions.
	Birkenhead Ferry Not many years have elapsed since the site of this Hotel formed part of one of the most picturesque scenes on the banks of the Mersey. A lawn, extending from the riverside to the front of an antique mansion, situated on the most elevated part of the grounds, was studded with majestic trees, of some centuries standing, and carpeted with a turf. [...] Across this lawn a winding footpath conducted the traveller to the ruins of the ancient Priory of Birkenhead, the chapel of which still remains entire - and the whole demesne was secured from the encroachment of the tide by a natural barrier of rock, over-hung by copse-wood. Altogether it formed a scene of rural beauty not often surpassed, and peculiarly pleasing to the eye of the returning mariner, to whom green fields and luxuriant foliage present a delightful contrast to the unvarying monotony of the ocean. The alterations (we do not call them improvements) which have recently been made, in consequence principally of the establishment of steam-packets to and from Liverpool, have entirely changed the character of the scenery. The land in the neighbourhood of the Hotel is laid out for streets, several of which are already built upon, and a number of elegant houses are erected. This assemblage of buildings has obtained the name of Little Liverpool.
	Black Rock Fort and Lighthouse Black-Rock Fort [Perch Rock Fort], standing on the Rock Point, presents not only an excellent structure of defence to the port and town of Liverpool, but is likewise a most pleasing and interesting object at the entrance of the river. It is built in the form of a trapezoid, covering a surface of between three and four thousand square yards. [...] The west, or principal front, mounting six thirty-two pounders, exceeds two hundred feet in length, and is from twenty-five to twenty-seven feet high. The front between the north-west and northeast angles is upwards of one hundred and fifty feet long, and from twenty-nine to thirty- one feet high, and mounts four guns. [...] The entrance is by a stone bridge of three arches, connected with a wooden drawbridge. A large bomb-proof magazine, capable of containing many hundred barrels of powder, is built in the middle of the fort. [...] Beyond the battery stands the lighthouse, erected by the Corporation of Liverpool, at an expense of about £35,000. This admirable specimen of Mr. Foster's architectural skill rises to the height of ninety feet above the level of the rock, and is surmounted by a lantern, which, throwing its light to a great distance out at sea, affords considerable security to inward-bound vessels.
	Speke Hall One of the most interesting antiquities of Lancashire, is situated in the parish of Childwall, about eight miles southward of Liverpool. It is built principally with timber and plaster, and surrounded by a moat, now dry, over which is a stone bridge, leading to a porch, overgrown with ivy, and bearing the following inscription: 'This work, twenty yds. long, was wholly built by E. N. 1598.' From the porch a passage leads to an inner court, of an oblong form, in the centre of which stand two yew-trees of gigantic dimensions. The gallery windows on the chamber-floor, and the bay-windows of the great baronial hall, look into this court.
	Hale Hall Situated in the parish of Childwall, about eleven miles southward of Liverpool, is the residence of John Blackburne, Esq., who filled the distinguished station of representative for the county, from the year 1784, to the conclusion of the session of parliament in 1830. [...] The annexed view represents the north front, constructed of red brick, with quoins and mullions to the windows of stone. [...] In the chapelry of Hale was born, A.D. 1578, John Middleton, commonly called the 'Child of Hale,' whose extraordinary size and strength have been rarely equalled since the period of the sons of Anak, when 'there were giants in the land.' His hand, from the wrist to the end of the middle finger, measured seventeen inches, his palm eight inches and a half, and his height was nine feet three inches [...]. There is a full-length portrait of this 'Child' (who lies buried in the church-yard of Hale) in the hall, with a description painted underneath. Tradition relates, that he possessed extraordinary strength, and that Sir Gilbert Ireland took him to London, and introduced him to the presence of King James I. in the very dress in which he appears in the picture at Hale Hall. The village is remarkable for its neatness and rural aspect, and forms a pleasing contrast to the hamlets in the neighbourhood of manufacturing towns.
	Roby Hall Roby Hall, a modern building, in the township of Roby, and the Hundred of West Derby, is situate about five miles and a half east of Liverpool. [...] This handsome structure is seated on the side of a fertile valley, which separates it from the beautiful village of Childwall. [...]
	Knowsley Hall from the South This ancient mansion, the principal seat of the Earls of Derby, is situated in the parish of Huyton, one mile and a half from Prescot. Before the visit of Henry VII to his mother, then Countess of Thomas first Earl of Derby, it was a house of inferior note, but was then enlarged by the erection of the stone-building, with its two round towers. The more modern part was built principally by James, the tenth Earl, who died at Knowsley in 1736, and very recently, considerable additions, with extensive internal improvements, have been made, under the superintendence of John Foster, Esq. [...] The Hall is situated on an elevated part of the park, which is extensive and well wooded, but from its proximity to the sea, and the prevalence of westerly winds, many of the largest trees are inclined considerably towards the north-east, and exhibit but a scanty foliage.
	Knowsley Hall from the South-East
	St. Helen's Church, Sefton The parish of Sephton, or Sefton, distant about eight miles from Liverpool, is principally remarkable for its having formerly belonged to the Molyneaux family, who had a seat there. The Church, shewn in the engraving, is a handsome building, said to have been erected in the time of Henry the Eighth; it consists of a nave and side aisles, with a tower and steeple. The chancel contains sixteen elegantly carved stalls, and exhibits a great number of monumental memorials.