South Liverpool: Calderstones Park

	The Central Field In a city famous for its parks, this may well be the finest. There are 120 acres (49 ha) of parkland including large natural spaces, a lake, a botanic garden and superb formal gardens, especially the English and Japanese gardens. The park marks the start of the extensive South Liverpool Green Belt.
	The Central Field From the middle ages, the land that became Calderstones Park formed part of the 1583 acre (640 ha) Manor of Allerton. This was sold in 1726 to settle family debts and this part of the land passed through the hands of merchant Thomas Martin and, in 1825, lead shot manufacturer Joseph Need Walker, who acquired further land to a total of 94 acres (38 ha). In 1875, the estate was bought by shipping magnate Charles MacIver, founder, with Samuel Cunard, of what became the Cunard Line. It was sold to Liverpool Corporation in 1902 and the park as such was opened in 1905 to accusations of wasting public money. By 1914, the Harthill Estate had been added, making a total of 121 acres (49 ha). In 1931, the main drive was constructed from the Four Seasons entrance to Yew Tree Road. This became known as Jubilee Drive in commemoration of the Silver Jubilee of George V and Queen Mary in 1935, when the trees were planted along its length. By this time Calderstones was already being hailed as Liverpool's most beautiful park.
	The Four Seasons, Calderstones Park This imposing entrance to Calderstones Park was originally the entrance to iron and copper merchant John Bibby's mansion Harthill, demolished in 1937. The gateposts are supported by giant atlantes (male caryatids or Atlas figures) and the scene is completed by allegorical figures of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. The statues were originally located on the roof of Brown's Buildings, an office block designed (grandly, one assumes) by Picton in 1861-3. This used to stand next to the Town Hall but was demolished in 1926, when the statues were relocated here.
	The Calderstones Calderstones Park is named after these remains of a neolithic burial chamber (about 5,000 years old), which was dismantled in the early 19th century. They have been relocated several times and are now under cover in a glass house in the park. There are six irregular sandstone monoliths with spiral and other geometric markings (common elsewhere) and depictions of human feet (much rarer). The grooved Robin Hood Stone, located on nearby Booker Avenue, may once have been part of the same structure as it has some similar markings on its base. The following entry in Baines's Directory of 1825 is interesting: 'Close by the farm on which the famous Allerton oak stands, and just at the point where four ways meet, are a quantity of remains called Calder stones [...]. From the circumstance that in digging about them urns made of the coarsest clay [and] containing human dust and bones have been discovered, there is reason to believe that they indicate an ancient burying place [...]. Some of the urns were dug up about sixty years ago, and were in the possession of Mr. Mercer of Allerton.'
	The Pillar This pillar, old rather than ancient, was probably once a gatepost or something similar. It has a rather mysterious sculptural quality in its present setting.
	The Mansion House, Calderstones Park Lead shot manufacturer Joseph Need Walker demolished the original farmhouse known as the Old House when he acquired the estate in 1825 and by 1828 this Georgian-style Mansion House was completed on the site. The grounds have become the beautiful Calderstones Park, though the building has been subject to some unsympathetic alterations over the years and now houses council offices and a small cafe. The extensive stables and coach house are at the rear.
	Fir Trees Behind the Mansion House is a largely wooded area with a magnificent collection of fir trees, many of North American origin. Much of this is thought to have been originated by Charles McIver, whose involvement in transatlantic shipping lead to him developing an interest in the trees of the New World.
	Sun through the Fir Trees
	The Rockery
	The North-East Avenue
	The South-East Avenue (Jubilee Drive)
	The Flower Garden Early spring blooms.
	The Pond in the English Garden The English Garden is a large walled garden with trellises covered in climbing plants, seating areas, secluded paths and this lily pond.
	The Japanese Garden The Japanese Garden was created as an apprentice scheme in the 1970s. It is a haven of peace and tranquility, sheltered from the wind so that often the only sound is trickling water. It is particularly stunning in Autumn, when the colours are breathtaking.
	The Pond in the Japanese Garden
	The Rhododendron Walk This path presents a stunning display of rhododendron and azalea blossoms during May. The azaleas also perfume the air with an intoxicating scent.
	The Bidston Court Gates These elaborate wrought iron gates at one end of the Rhododendron Walk originally stood at Bidston Court, Birkenhead, which was demolished in 1930 and rebuilt as Hill Bark in Royden Park, Wirral. They were donated to Liverpool and re-erected in 1974.
	Path to the Rose Garden Half way along the Rhododendron Walk is this little path, which leads to the Rose Garden.
	The Lake Originally for boating, this 7 acre (3 ha) lake was opened in 1933.
	The Bog Garden The Bog Garden was originally a natural pond that had been used for dumping during the blitz. The present area was opened in 1955 and has a stone bridge spanning interlinked pools, a valuable habitat for aquatic plants and animals.
	The Allerton Oak Allerton was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 when the entire population of Lancashire south of the River Ribble was less than 2000. The Allerton Oak is said to be about 1000 years old. In mediaeval times, it reputedly provided shelter for sittings of the local Hundred Court. Its dilapidated state is due to the explosion of the gunpowder ship Lotty Sleigh over three miles away on the River Mersey in 1864. It is dependent upon a number of props that hold it up like something in a Salvador Dali painting.
	The Allerton Oak Still vigorous in its summer garb.