View source for Birkenhead

{{Short description|Town in Wirral, Merseyside, England}}
{{Other uses|Birkenhead (disambiguation)}}
{{distinguish|Bickenhead}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{infobox UK place
| country = England
| official_name = Birkenhead
| type = Town
| coordinates = {{coord|53.393|-3.014|type:city(100000)_region:GB-WRL|display=inline,title}}
| population = 109,835
| population_ref = (Built up area, 2021)<ref name=ONS>{{cite web |title=Towns and cities, characteristics of built-up areas, England and Wales: Census 2021 |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/articles/townsandcitiescharacteristicsofbuiltupareasenglandandwales/census2021 |website=Census 2021 |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=8 August 2023}}</ref>
| area_total_km2 = 
| area_footnotes = 
| population_demonym = Birkonian
| metropolitan_borough = [[Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|Wirral]]
| metropolitan_county = [[Merseyside]]
| shire_county = [[Cheshire]]
| region = North West England
| static_image_name = {{multiple image
| border                   = infobox
| total_width              = 250
| image_style              = border:1;
| perrow                   = 2/1/2
| image1                   = Grand Entrance, Birkenhead Park 2019.jpg
| caption1                 = [[Birkenhead Park]]
| image2                   = John Laird Centre.jpg
| caption2                     = [[Laird School of Art|John Laird Centre]]
| image3                  = Wirral - Birkenhead Town Hall - 20230719204755.jpg
| caption3                     = [[Birkenhead Town Hall]] in [[Hamilton Square]]
| image4                   = John King statue, Prenton Park.jpg
| caption4                 = [[Prenton Park]]
| image5                   = Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Birkenhead 2019.jpg
| caption5                 = [[Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Birkenhead| Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception]]
}}
| static_image_caption =
| constituency_westminster = [[Birkenhead (UK Parliament constituency)|Birkenhead]]
| post_town = BIRKENHEAD
| postcode_district = CH41, CH42
| postcode_area = CH
| dial_code = 0151
| os_grid_reference = SJ324890
| london_distance = {{convert|178|mi|km|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boulter.com/gps/distance/?from=53.393+-3.014&to=51.507+-0.127&units=m|title=Coordinate Distance Calculator|work=boulter.com|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref>
| london_direction = SE
| iso_code = GB-WRL
}}
'''Birkenhead''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|b|ɜː|k|ən|ˈ|h|ɛ|d|audio=}}) is an industrial port town in the [[Metropolitan Borough of Wirral]], [[Merseyside]], England. The town is on the [[Wirral Peninsula]], along the west bank of the [[River Mersey]], opposite [[Liverpool]]. It lies within the [[Historic counties of England|historic county boundaries]] of [[Cheshire]], and became part of Merseyside in 1974. At the [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]], the built up area as defined by the [[Office for National Statistics]] had a population of 109,835.

[[Birkenhead Priory]] and the [[Mersey Ferry]] were established in the 12th century. In the 19th century, Birkenhead expanded greatly as a consequence of the [[Industrial Revolution]], leading to a [[shipbuilding]] firm which became [[Cammell Laird]]. A [[Great Float|seaport]] was established. As the town grew, [[Birkenhead Park]] and [[Hamilton Square]] were laid out. The first street [[tram]]way in Britain was built, followed by the [[Mersey Railway]] which connected Birkenhead and Liverpool through the world's first railway tunnel beneath a tidal estuary.

In the second half of the 20th century, the town suffered a significant period of decline, with [[Containerization|containerisation]] causing a reduction in port activity. The [[Wirral Waters]] development is building offices and housing on much of the former dockland.

==Toponymy==
The name Birkenhead probably means "headland overgrown with birch", from the [[Old English]] {{lang|ang|bircen}} meaning [[birch]] tree,<ref>E. Ekwall, ''The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Place-Names'', 3rd edn., p.43</ref> of which many once grew on the headland which jutted into the river at [[Woodside, Merseyside|Woodside]]. The name is not derived from [[the Birket]], a stream which enters the Mersey between Birkenhead and Seacombe; the Birket is a later name which was introduced by [[Ordnance Survey]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Wirral Notes and Queries|page=10|date=February 1892|publisher=Printed and published by Willmer Bros. and Co .|url=https://archive.org/stream/wirralnotesandq00unkngoog#page/n20/mode/2up}}</ref>

==History==
===Medieval period===
The earliest records state that the [[Mersey ferry]] began operating from Birkenhead in 1150, when [[Benedictine]] monks under the leadership of [[Hamon de Mascy]] built a [[Birkenhead Priory|priory]] there.<ref>{{citation|title=Birkenhead – An Illustrated History|first=Ralph T|last=Brocklebank|publisher=Breedon Books|pages=14–15|year=2003|isbn=1-85983-350-0}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100009/200070/1017/content_0000524.html|title=Birkenhead Priory|publisher=Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|access-date=14 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304004402/http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100009/200070/1017/content_0000524.html|archive-date=4 March 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> The priory was visited in 1275 and 1277 by [[Edward I of England|Edward&nbsp;I]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebirkenheadpriory.org/history/timeline-of-events|title=Timeline of events|work=Birkenhead Priory|access-date=5 March 2016}}</ref> In a [[royal charter]] of 13 April 1330, [[Edward III of England|Edward&nbsp;III]] granted the priory further rights.<ref>{{harvnb|Collard|2012|loc=Introduction}}</ref>

===19th century===
Distanced from the [[Industrial Revolution]] in Liverpool by the physical barrier of the River Mersey, Birkenhead retained its agricultural status until the advent of steam ferry services. In 1817 a steam ferry service started from Liverpool to Tranmere and in 1822 the paddle steamer, ''Royal Mail'', began operation between Liverpool and Woodside.<ref>{{Citation |title =Mersey ferries |url=http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/archive/pdf/Ships-Mersey%20Ferries%20no27.pdf |publisher= Liverpool Museums|access-date=24 August 2012}}</ref>

Shipbuilding started in 1829.<ref>{{citation|url=http://nautarch.tamu.edu/PROJECTS/denbigh/Laird.htm|title=Birkenhead-Built: An Unrivaled Historical Legacy|publisher=Institute of Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M University|access-date=14 June 2003|archive-date=1 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701054843/https://nautarch.tamu.edu/PROJECTS/denbigh/Laird.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> An ironworks was established by [[William Laird (shipbuilder)|William Laird]] in 1824, and he was joined by his son [[John Laird (shipbuilder)|John]] in 1828. The business eventually became the shipbuilder [[Cammell Laird]]. Notable naval vessels built at Birkenhead include [[HMNZS Achilles (70)|HMS ''Achilles'']], {{HMS|Affray|P421|6}}, {{ship|CSS|Alabama}}, {{HMS|Ark Royal|91|6}}, {{HMS|Birkenhead|1845|6}}, {{HMS|Caroline|1914|6}}, {{ship||Huáscar|ironclad|2}}, the pioneer submarine {{ship||Resurgam}}, {{HMS|Thetis|N25|6}} (which sank in Liverpool Bay during [[sea trial]]s, and was refloated and [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] as HMS ''Thunderbolt'', only to be lost to enemy action with the loss of the entire crew), {{HMS|Conqueror|S48|6}} and {{HMS|Prince of Wales|53|6}}. Merchant vessels were also built such as {{RMS|Mauretania|1938|6}} and {{RMS|Windsor Castle|1959|6}}.

In 1833 an act was passed to introduce street paving, lighting and other improvements in the town. These included establishing a market and regulating the police force.<ref>{{cite book|title=The National Cyclopaedia of Useful Knowledge|volume=III Bavaria - Caesar|year=1847|location=London|publisher=Charles Knight|page=337|oclc=499316122}}</ref>

The [[Mersey Railway]] tunnel opened in 1886, providing direct railway access to Liverpool.

=== 20th century ===
[[File:Air Raid Damage in the United Kingdom 1939-1945 H8138.jpg|thumb|left|Troops of [[Western Command (United Kingdom)|Western Command]] clearing up bomb damage in Birkenhead, 15 March 1941]]The [[Grange Road West drill hall]] was completed in 1900.<ref name=drill>{{cite web|url=http://www.drillhalls.org/Counties/Cheshire/TownBirkenhead.htm|title=Birkenhead|publisher=The Drill Halls Project|access-date=13 August 2017}}</ref>

In 1908, [[Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell|Robert Baden-Powell]] announced the launch of the [[Scouting|Scout]] movement during a publicity visit to the Birkenhead branch of the YMCA; his ideas had previously led to the creation of informal Scout patrols in some parts of the country. Among the troops formed in 1908 was the 1st Birkenhead (YMCA) troop.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Which was the first Scout troop? |url=https://www.scouts.org.uk/about-us/our-history/our-online-exhibitions/the-early-days-of-scouting/which-was-the-first-scout-troop/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=www.scouts.org.uk |language=en}}</ref>  

In September 1932 thousands of unemployed people protested in a series of demonstrations organised by the local branch of the [[National Unemployed Workers Movement]]. After three days of rioting, police were brought in from elsewhere to help quell the rioters.<ref>{{citation|last=Kelly|first=S.F.|title=Idle Hands Clenched Fists|publisher=Spokesman Books|date=January 1988|isbn=0-85124-446-7}}</ref>

In addition to the ferries and the railway, the [[Queensway Tunnel|Queensway road tunnel]] opened in 1934 and gave rapid access to Liverpool. This opened up the Wirral Peninsula for development, and prompted further growth of Birkenhead as an industrial centre. Bolstered by migration from rural Cheshire, southern Ireland and Wales, the town's population had grown from 110 in 1801 to 110,912 one hundred years later and stood at 142,501 by 1951.<ref name="Cheshire Towns & Parishes: Birkenhead">{{citation|url=http://www.ukbmd.org.uk/genuki/chs/birkenhead.html|title=Cheshire Towns & Parishes: Birkenhead|publisher=GENUKI UK & Ireland Genealogy|access-date=14 January 2008}}</ref>

1989 saw the completion of a large shopping development within Birkenhead town centre, known as the Pyramids.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dunn |first1=Justin |title=Birkenhead's Pyramids Centre celebrates its 20th birthday |url=https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/4566106.birkenheads-pyramids-centre-celebrates-its-20th-birthday/ |access-date=13 August 2022 |work=Wirral Globe |date=26 August 2009 |language=en}}</ref>

Conway Park station was opened in 1998 as part of a development that saw Wirral Metropolitan College open a new campus nearby.<ref>{{cite web |title=Conway Park station opens plus 'Smart' bus service (From Wirral Globe) |url=http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/archive/1998/06/24/Wirral%2BArchive/7435283.Conway_Park_station_opens_plus__Smart__bus_service/ |access-date=13 August 2022 |date=21 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721094940/http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/archive/1998/06/24/Wirral%2BArchive/7435283.Conway_Park_station_opens_plus__Smart__bus_service/ |archive-date=21 July 2011 }}</ref>
[[File:Woodside panorama.jpg|alt=Woodside ferry terminal and its landing stage seen from the River Mersey, with Birkenhead in the background|left|thumb|A view of [[Woodside, Merseyside|Woodside]] from the River Mersey]]

=== 21st century ===
The Wirral Waters development was announced in 2006, with work starting in 2011 and expecting to last for around 30 years.

Wirral Council announced in 2020 the formulation of a 20 year development plan known as the 'Birkenhead 2040 Framework'.<ref>{{cite web |title=Birkenhead 2040 Framework {{!}} www.wirral.gov.uk |url=https://www.wirral.gov.uk/business/regeneration/birkenhead-2040-framework |website=www.wirral.gov.uk |access-date=13 August 2022}}</ref> The plan aims to regenerate parts of Birkenhead, with the creation of a new park ([[Dock Branch Park]]), new housing and an improved greener environment.

==Governance==
Birkenhead lies within the [[Metropolitan Borough of Wirral]], with [[Wirral Council]] providing most local government functions. Wirral forms part of the [[Liverpool City Region]], which is led by a directly elected [[Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region|Metro Mayor]].

===Administrative history===
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title           = Birkenhead Improvement Act 1833
| type                  = Act
| parliament            = Parliament of the United Kingdom
| long_title            = 
| year                  = 1833
| citation              = [[3 & 4 Will. 4]]. c. lxviii
| introduced_commons    = 
| introduced_lords      = 
| territorial_extent    = 
| royal_assent          = 10 June 1833
| commencement          = 
| expiry_date           = 
| repeal_date           = 
| amends                = 
| replaces              = 
| amendments            = 
| repealing_legislation = {{ubli|Birkenhead Corporation Act 1881}}
| related_legislation   = 
| status                = repealed
| legislation_history   = 
| theyworkforyou        = 
| millbankhansard       = 
| original_text         = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Will4/3-4/68/pdfs/ukla_18330068_en.pdf
| revised_text          = 
| use_new_UK-LEG        = 
| UK-LEG_title          = 
| collapsed             = yes
}}
{{Infobox UK legislation
| short_title           = Birkenhead Extension Act 1843
| type                  = Act
| parliament            = Parliament of the United Kingdom
| long_title            = An Act for extending the Powers of the Commissioners of the Township of Birkenhead in the County of Chester, and for including the Township of Claughton-cum-Grange and Part of the Township of Oxton in the same County within their Jurisdiction.
| year                  = 1843
| citation              = [[6 & 7 Vict.]] c. xiii
| introduced_commons    = 
| introduced_lords      = 
| territorial_extent    = 
| royal_assent          = 11 April 1843
| commencement          = 
| expiry_date           = 
| repeal_date           = 
| amends                = 
| replaces              = 
| amendments            = 
| repealing_legislation = {{ubli|Birkenhead Corporation Act 1881}}
| related_legislation   = 
| status                = repealed
| legislation_history   = 
| theyworkforyou        = 
| millbankhansard       = 
| original_text         = https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Vict/6-7/13/pdfs/ukla_18430013_en.pdf
| revised_text          = 
| use_new_UK-LEG        = 
| UK-LEG_title          = 
| collapsed             = yes
}}
Birkenhead was historically a [[chapelry]] in the [[ancient parish]] of [[Bidston]], which formed part of the [[Wirral Hundred]] of [[Cheshire]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Birkenhead Chapelry / Civil Parish |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10219309 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=23 December 2023}}</ref> For some purposes it was deemed an [[extra-parochial]] [[Township (England)|township]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Irvine |first1=William Fergusson |title=The Baptismal, Marriage, and Burial Registers of the Parish of Bidston, in the County of Chester, 1581 to 1700 |date=1893 |publisher=Willmer Brothers and Co. |location=Birkenhead |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JYhIAQAAMAAJ&pg=PP9 |access-date=25 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Book of Reference to the Plan of the Township of Birkenhead (Ex.-Par.) |date=1876 |publisher=Ordnance Survey |location=London |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P9MHAAAAQAAJ&pg=RA12-PP7 |access-date=25 February 2025}}</ref> As the town began to develop rapidly in the early nineteenth century, there was a need for more urban forms of local government. The '''{{visible anchor|Birkenhead Improvement Act 1833}}''' ([[3 & 4 Will. 4]]. c. lxviii) set up a body of [[improvement commissioners]] covering the chapelry of Birkenhead.<ref>{{cite web |title=Birkenhead Improvement Act 1833 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Will4/3-4/68/contents/enacted |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=23 December 2023}}</ref> The commissioners' district was enlarged by the '''{{visible anchor|Birkenhead Extension Act 1843}}''' ([[6 & 7 Vict.]] c. xiii) to take in the township of [[Claughton, Merseyside|Claughton with Grange]] and part of [[Oxton, Merseyside|Oxton]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Birkenhead Extension Act 1843 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Vict/6-7/13/contents/enacted |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=23 December 2023}}</ref> [[Local board of health#Local Government Act 1858|Local government districts]] were subsequently established for [[Tranmere, Merseyside|Tranmere]] in 1860 and Oxton in 1863.<ref>{{cite web |title=Birkenhead County Borough Council and predecessors |url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/8fa63db4-c6a1-4492-8b4c-e6e1b1068985 |website=Discovery Catalogue |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=23 December 2023}}</ref>

In 1877 Birkenhead was incorporated as a [[municipal borough]], with its territory covering the combined area of the old commissioners' district and the two local government districts of Oxton and Tranmere, which were abolished. The new borough also took in the [[Rock Ferry]] area from [[Bebington]].<ref>{{cite news |title=The incorporation of Birkenhead |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=23 December 2023 |work=Manchester Courier |date=22 August 1877 |page=5}}</ref><ref name="Cheshire Towns & Parishes: Birkenhead"/> When elected county councils were established in 1889, Birkenhead was considered large enough to provide its own county-level services, and so it was made a [[county borough]], making it independent from the new [[Cheshire County Council]], whilst still being deemed part of Cheshire for ceremonial purposes.<ref>[[Local Government Act 1888]]</ref>

[[File:Birkenhead Town Hall.jpg|thumb|left|[[Birkenhead Town Hall]], completed 1887.]]

The council built itself [[Birkenhead Town Hall]] on Hamilton Square to serve as its headquarters; the building was opened in 1887.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1201582 |desc=Town Hall, Hamilton Square|grade=II*|access-date=23 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Opening of Birkenhead Town Hall |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=23 December 2023 |work=Manchester Courier |date=12 February 1887 |page=16}}</ref> The borough was enlarged in 1928 to absorb [[Landican]], [[Prenton]] and [[Thingwall]], and again in 1933 to take in Bidston, [[Noctorum]], [[Upton, Merseyside|Upton]] and [[Woodchurch, Merseyside|Woodchurch]].<ref>{{citation|title=Birkenhead – An Illustrated History|first=Ralph T|last=Brocklebank|publisher=Breedon Books|page=110|year=2003|isbn=1-85983-350-0}}</ref>

The borough of Birkenhead was abolished in 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], with the area becoming part of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral and being transferred to the [[metropolitan county]] of [[Merseyside]]. In 1986 [[Merseyside County Council]] was abolished, with Wirral Council then taking on the county council's former functions in the area. Since 2014 Wirral and the other Merseyside boroughs and neighbouring [[Borough of Halton|Halton]] have been covered by the [[Liverpool City Region Combined Authority]], which has been led by a [[Directly elected mayors in England|directly elected mayor]] since 2017.

===Constituency===
{{See also|Birkenhead (UK Parliament constituency)}}
The [[Birkenhead (UK Parliament constituency)|constituency of Birkenhead]] has elected Members of Parliament from the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] since its creation in 1950 when [[Birkenhead East (UK Parliament constituency)|Birkenhead East]] and [[Birkenhead West (UK Parliament constituency)|Birkenhead West]] were abolished.<ref>{{cite web |title=Members after 1832 |url=https://membersafter1832.historyofparliamentonline.org/constituencies/2084 |website=membersafter1832.historyofparliamentonline.org |access-date=13 January 2025}}</ref> However, in 2018 [http://Frank%20Field,%20Baron%20Field%20of%20Birkenhead Frank Field] resigned the Labour whip and served the rest of the term until [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019]] as an independent MP.<ref>{{cite news |title=Anti-Semitism row: Frank Field resigns Labour whip |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-45359009 |access-date=13 January 2025 |work=BBC News |date=30 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=General Election 2019: Merseyside bucks national trend with Labour wins |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2019-50769682 |access-date=13 January 2025 |work=BBC News |date=13 December 2019}}</ref> The town has been represented by [[Alison McGovern]] since [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dukes |first1=Emma |title=Wirral general election results 2024: Labour stands strong and Reform gains traction |url=https://www.liverpoolworld.uk/news/wirral-general-election-results-2024-4691616 |access-date=13 January 2025 |work=LiverpoolWorld |date=5 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

==Geography==
The [[Birkenhead Built-up area|Birkenhead Urban Area]], as defined by the [[Office for National Statistics]],<ref name="FOPM_UrbanAreas">{{citation|url=http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_compendia/fom2005/03_FOPM_UrbanAreas.pdf |title=Focus on People & Migration: The UK's major urban areas|publisher=Office for National Statistics|year=2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060215211111/http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_compendia/fom2005/03_FOPM_UrbanAreas.pdf|archive-date=15 February 2006}}</ref> includes Birkenhead, [[Wallasey]], Bebington, [[Ellesmere Port]] (which is outside the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral) and the contiguous built-up areas which link those towns. In the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 Census]], the area so defined had a total population of 325,264,<ref name="BUA">{{cite web | url=http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/articles/747.aspx|title=2011 Census – Built-up areas| publisher=[[Office for National Statistics|ONS]] | access-date=11 August 2013}}</ref> making it the 19th largest [[conurbation]] in England and Wales.

{{Geographic location
|Northwest = [[Bidston]]<br />[[Upton, Merseyside|Upton]]<br />[[Leasowe]]<br />[[Moreton, Merseyside|Moreton]]
|North = [[Seacombe]]<br />[[Wallasey]]<br />[[New Brighton, Merseyside|New Brighton]]
|Northeast = [[Liverpool]]<br />''(across [[River Mersey]])''
|West = [[Claughton, Merseyside|Claughton]]<br />[[Oxton, Merseyside|Oxton]]
|Centre = within or near Birkenhead Urban Area
|East = [[Liverpool]]<br />''(across [[River Mersey]])''
|Southwest = [[Prenton]]
|South = [[Tranmere, Merseyside|Tranmere]]<br />[[Bebington]]<br />[[Bromborough]]
|Southeast = [[Ellesmere Port]]<br />[[Helsby]]
}}

==Economy==

===Shipbuilding===
[[File:The Duke of Edinburgh opening the new entrance to the Great Northern Docks at Birkenhead, 1866.png|thumb|left|The [[Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha|Duke of Edinburgh]] opening the new entrance to the Great Northern Docks at Birkenhead, 1866]]
Shipbuilding and ship repair has featured prominently in the local economy since the 19th century. [[Cammell Laird]] entered [[receivership]] in 2001. The shipyard was sold and became 'Northwestern Shiprepairers & Shipbuilders' (NS&S), which grew into a successful business specialising in ship repair and conversion, including maintenance contracts for the [[Royal Fleet Auxiliary]]. In September 2007 NS&S acquired the rights to use the Cammell Laird name. The company was renamed 'Cammell Laird Shiprepairers & Shipbuilders' on 17 November 2008,<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/11/17/cammell-laird-name-returns-on-river-mersey-100252-22275256/ |title=Cammell Laird name returns on River Mersey|author= Neil Hodgson|date=17 November 2008|publisher=[[Liverpool Echo]]|access-date=19 December 2008}}</ref> seeing the famous name return to Birkenhead after a seven-year hiatus. In 2010, Cammell Laird secured a £50&nbsp;million contract to construct the [[flight deck]] for {{HMS|Queen Elizabeth|R08|6}},<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2010/01/25/cammell-laird-wins-50m-royal-navy-warship-contract-100252-25676005/ |title=Cammell Laird wins £50m Royal Navy warship contract|access-date=25 January 2010 |date=25 January 2010|publisher=[[Liverpool Echo]]}}</ref> the first of two {{sclass|Queen Elizabeth|aircraft carrier}}s. In 2015, Cammell Laird was selected as the preferred bidder to construct {{ship|RRS|Sir David Attenborough}}, a [[Royal Research Ship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/merseyside-beats-global-competition-to-build-200-million-polar-research-ship|title=Merseyside beats global competition to build £200 million polar research ship|work=UK Government|date=12 October 2015|access-date=6 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/polar-research-ship-named-after-11293273|title=Polar research ship to be named after Sir David Attenborough - not Boaty McBoatface|first=Eleanor|last=Barlow|work=Liverpool Echo|date=6 May 2016|access-date=6 May 2016}}</ref>

===Commerce===
Birkenhead's first market was established in 1835 in a purpose-built building in Hamilton Street near its junction with Market Street. This building also contained the town hall, commissioners' offices and a lock-up. It is often said that the first market was opened on the site of the later town hall in Hamilton Square. This is untrue. In fact, part of the eastern side of Hamilton Square was deliberately left empty until 1887, when the main town hall was built on that designated site. The Hamilton Square town hall site was never used as a market, despite that myth being propagated in many accounts of Birkenhead's history, including official sources. The large market hall which was a famous feature of Birkenhead was built behind the original market, along Albion Street, opening in July 1845. This market hall was built by [[Fox, Henderson & Co]], who later built [[The Crystal Palace]].<ref>{{harvnb|Pevsner|Hubbard|1971|p=84}}</ref> 
[[Michael Marks]], of [[Marks & Spencer]], opened one of his first seven 'Penny Bazaar' stalls here during the 1880s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.knittingtogether.co.uk/doc.asp?doc=7383&cat=745|title=Don't ask the price, it's a penny|work=Knitting Together|access-date=2 July 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311011607/http://www.knittingtogether.co.uk/doc.asp?doc=7383&cat=745|archive-date=11 March 2007}}</ref> On 31 January 2018, Marks & Spencer announced the closure of their store, in the town centre of Birkenhead, happening in April.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/marks-spencer-confirms-plans-close-14225927|title=Marks and Spencer confirms plans to close Birkenhead store|work=Liverpool Echo|date=31 January 2018|access-date=1 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42886154|title=Marks and Spencer plans to close up to 14 stores|work=BBC News|date=31 January 2018|access-date=1 February 2018}}</ref>

During the 1970s, the commercial centre of the town was redeveloped around the principal shopping area of Grange Road. Following two fires at the expanded Birkenhead Market in 1969 and 1974, it was moved to new premises adjoining the Grange Shopping Precinct development in 1977.<ref name=Bidston19>{{harvnb|Bidston|1978|page=19}}</ref> Commercial expansion continued in the early 1990s when the Pyramids Shopping Centre was opened. The previous market site has been redeveloped with the construction of two office buildings, primarily to house [[Land Registry (United Kingdom)|Land Registry]] and [[Department for Work and Pensions]] offices.

===Economic statistics===
In February 2010, the town had an overall unemployment rate of 8.2% (males 12.4%, female 4.1%) as against a national average of 4.4%.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2009/jan/20/unemployment-statistics-benefit-claimants-constituency-data |title=Unemployment statistics where you live: benefit claimants constituency by constituency |publisher=guardian.co.uk |access-date=21 March 2010 |department=Business |location=London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100123145208/http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2009/jan/20/unemployment-statistics-benefit-claimants-constituency-data |archive-date=23 January 2010 }}</ref>

==Demography==
At the 2021 census, the built up area as defined by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) had a population of 109,835.<ref name=ONS/>

For the previous [[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census]], the ONS identified a wider [[List of urban areas in the United Kingdom|Birkenhead built up area]] with a population of 325,264, which comprised five built up area subdivisions called [[Bebington]], Birkenhead (population 142,968), [[Ellesmere Port]], [[Elton, Cheshire|Elton]], and [[Wallasey]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Census 2011: Usual resident population |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/census/2011/ks101ew |website=NOMIS |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=25 February 2025}} (Use the download facility to obtain the data for built up areas and built up areas including subdivisions.)</ref> The Birkenhead subdivision based on the 2011 census was larger than the Birkenhead built up area based on the 2021 census; notable differences between those two definitions are that [[Greasby]] is classed as a separate urban area in 2021, and [[Moreton, Merseyside|Moreton]] has been counted as part of the Wallasey built up area in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=2011 Census Report: Birkenhead Built-up area sub division |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/sources/census_2011_ks/report?compare=E35000841 |website=NOMIS |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=25 February 2025}}</ref><ref name=ONS/>

==Landmarks==
[[File:Roman Boathouse, Birkenhead Park, Birkenhead - geograph.org.uk - 6735405.jpg|thumb|Roman Boathouse, Birkenhead Park]]
[[File:Edward VII Memorial.jpg|thumb|upright|Edward VII Memorial Clock Tower, designed by [[Edmund Kirby]]]]
[[Birkenhead Park]] is acknowledged to be the first publicly funded park in [[Great Britain|Britain]].<ref>{{citation|title=Birkenhead – An Illustrated History|first=Ralph T|last=Brocklebank|publisher=Breedon Books|page=33|year=2003|isbn=1-85983-350-0}}</ref> It was the forerunner of the Parks Movement and its influence was far-reaching, in Britain and abroad – most notably on [[Frederick Law Olmsted]]'s design for [[Central Park]] in New York City.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100006/200073/670/content_0001109.html|title=Birkenhead Park|year=1999|publisher=Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|access-date=14 January 2008|isbn=0-7726-3949-3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612114530/http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100006/200073/670/content_0001109.html|archive-date=12 June 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Birkenhead Park was designed by [[Joseph Paxton]] (later Sir Joseph Paxton) in 1843 and officially opened in 1847, with great festivity.<ref>{{harvnb|Bidston|1978|p=30}}</ref> The park's [[Grand Entrance to Birkenhead Park|Grand Entrance]], modelled on the Temple of Illysus in Athens,{{citation needed|date=February 2016}} and its 'Roman Boathouse' are notable features. There are sandstone lodges at the three entrances, each with a different style of architecture: [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]], [[Norman architecture|Norman]] and [[Italianate architecture|Italianate]]. There are also two lakes and an ornate 'Swiss Bridge'.

[[William Laird (shipbuilder)|William Laird]], a Scot, and his son [[John Laird (shipbuilder)|John]], were influential in the design of the town. Parts were laid out in a grid-iron pattern like [[New Town, Edinburgh|Edinburgh New Town]] with similar architecture. The chief architect was [[James Gillespie Graham]] from Edinburgh.<ref name=Bidston15>{{harvnb|Bidston|1978|page=15}}</ref> This grid pattern was centred around [[Hamilton Square]] which was started in 1826 and, apart from [[Trafalgar Square]] in London, contains the most [[Listed building#Grade I|Grade&nbsp;I listed buildings]] in one place in England.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100009/200064/10054/content_0002083.html|title=Architecture: Hamilton Square|publisher=Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|access-date=14 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107015518/http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100009/200064/10054/content_0002083.html|archive-date=7 November 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> including [[Birkenhead Town Hall]]. A short distance from Hamilton Square are two other notable landmarks: the [[Queensway Tunnel|Queensway Tunnel Main Entrance]] and the [[Woodside, Merseyside|Woodside Ferry Terminal]]. The film ''[[Chariots of Fire]]'' had scenes shot at Woodside. These scenes were as a representation of [[Dover]] in the 1920s.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.wheredidtheyfilmthat.co.uk/film.php?film_id=60|title=Chariots of Fire|publisher=Where Did They Film That?|access-date=18 February 2007}}</ref>

Other notable landmarks include [[Bidston Windmill]] and Bidston Observatory, both of which sit on [[Bidston Hill]] which lies to the west of the town; Flaybrick Watertower; and [[Birkenhead Priory|Birkenhead Priory & St.&nbsp;Mary's Tower]].

==Transport==
===Buses===
{{main|Birkenhead Buses}}

Horse-drawn buses began operating in Birkenhead in 1848, to be replaced with motor vehicles after the [[First World War]].<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.petergould.co.uk/local_transport_history/fleetlists/birkenhead1.htm |title=Birkenhead Corporation Transport: 1901–1969|publisher=ClassicBusDepot.com|access-date=26 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321141459/http://www.petergould.co.uk/local_transport_history/fleetlists/birkenhead1.htm|archive-date=21 March 2009}}</ref>

Present-day services are run by operators including [[Arriva North West|Arriva]] and [[Stagecoach Group|Stagecoach]], which are coordinated by [[Merseytravel]].

[[National Express Coaches|National Express]] provides long-distance coach services to other UK cities, with direct routes including London, Glasgow, [[Bangor, Gwynedd|Bangor]] and [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]].<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.carlberry.co.uk/rfnlistr.asp?L1=BIR041&cp=2&srt=O |title=Listing of Transport Services from Birkenhead |publisher=Travel Search|access-date=26 May 2009}}</ref>

====Bus station====
The bus station was opened in 1996. It is adjacent to The Grange shopping centre and Birkenhead Market.

It has a total of eleven stands and incorporates a travel centre. The main bus operators at the station include [[Arriva North West]] and [[Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire]].

Services using the bus station operate around the town of Birkenhead, throughout the Wirral and to the nearby city of [[Liverpool]] via the [[Queensway Tunnel]]. The station also has frequent services to as far away as [[Chester]].

===Railways===
[[File:Hamilton Square Station 2020-1.jpg|thumb|Hamilton Square station]]
The major underground station in Birkenhead is {{rws|Birkenhead Hamilton Square}}, the nearest station to the ferry terminal. Hamilton Square station is linked to the Liverpool Loop of the [[Wirral Line]], which includes {{rws|Liverpool James Street}}, {{rws|Moorfields}}, {{rws|Liverpool Lime Street}} and {{rws|Liverpool Central}} stations; all of these are underground. Other stations in the town include {{rws|Birkenhead Central}}, which is open but below ground level; {{rws|Green Lane}}, below ground level; {{rws|Rock Ferry}}; {{rws|Conway Park}}, below ground level; {{rws|Birkenhead Park}}; {{rws|Birkenhead North}}; and {{rws|Bidston}}.

The Wirral Line from Birkenhead travels south to {{rws|Chester}} and {{rws|Ellesmere Port}}, north to {{rws|New Brighton}} and westwards, across the Wirral Peninsula, to {{rws|West Kirby}}. Bidston (in the north of Birkenhead) is at one end of the [[Borderlands Line]], it serves the rural centre of Wirral, near {{rws|Shotton}} it leaves England for Wales, serving {{rws|Wrexham General}} and terminating at {{rws|Wrexham Central}},.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/pdf/MerseyrailNetworkMap.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230182703/http://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/pdf/MerseyrailNetworkMap.pdf|archive-date=30 December 2008|title=Merseyrail Network Map|url-status=dead|work=Merseytravel}}</ref>

Railways reached Birkenhead in 1840, when the [[Chester and Birkenhead Railway]] began services.<ref name=DS1>{{cite web|url=http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/b/birkenhead_grange_lane/|title=Station Name: Birkenhead Grange Lane|work=Disused Stations|access-date=7 March 2016}}</ref> {{rws|Birkenhead Grange Lane||Birkenhead Grange Lane station}} opened at the same time, becoming the town's first terminus.<ref name=DS1 /> {{rws|Birkenhead Dock||Birkenhead Dock station}} opened in 1866, as the eastern terminus of the [[Hoylake Railway]].<ref name=DS2>{{cite web|url=http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/b/birkenhead_dock/|title=Station Name: Birkenhead Dock|work=Disused Stations|access-date=3 March 2016}}</ref> With the opening of the [[Woodside and Birkenhead Dock Street Tramway]] in 1873,<ref name=Maund10>{{harvnb|Maund|2009|p=10}}</ref> this station probably became the world's first [[tram]] to train [[interchange station|interchange]].<ref name=DS2 /> In 1886, Birkenhead and [[Liverpool]] were linked by an [[Rapid transit|underground railway]] system, which today is part of the [[Merseyrail]] network.

From 1878 until its closure in 1967, {{rws|Birkenhead Woodside||Birkenhead Woodside station}} was the town's mainline railway terminus. Originally sited close to Woodside Ferry Terminal, the site had been redeveloped as part of Cammell Laird ship builders. Latterly, the adjacent dry dock at Cammell Laird was filled in and the area redeveloped to provide flats, a bus depot and offices for [[HM Land Registry]] and the [[Child Support Agency]].

The town has one operational railway depot, [[Birkenhead North TMD]]; one disused, [[Birkenhead Central TMD]]; and two demolished, [[Birkenhead Mollington Street TMD]] and a further depot adjacent to Birkenhead Park station. The remains of the [[Birkenhead Dock Branch]] are still extant in a [[Cut (earthmoving)|cutting]] through the centre of the town, which was used primarily for freight services. Much of the peripheral railway infrastructure, around the docks, has been removed since the 1980s.
===Former tramways===
Birkenhead had the first street tramway in Britain. Opened on 29 August 1860, the first line ran from [[Woodside, Merseyside|Woodside]] (adjoining the terminal of the Mersey Ferry) to [[Birkenhead Park]]. This early system was horse-drawn and was the brainchild of flamboyant American, [[George Francis Train]].<ref name="Birkenhead - An Illustrated History">{{citation|title=Birkenhead – An Illustrated History|first=Ralph T|last=Brocklebank|publisher=Breedon Books|year=2003|isbn=1-85983-350-0}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100009/200070/1017/content_0000522.html|title=Birkenhead Tramway & Wirral Transport Museum|publisher=Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|access-date=14 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080316021142/http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100009/200070/1017/content_0000522.html|archive-date=16 March 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
A preserved tram was on display in the Woodside ferry terminal booking hall.

The system was later electrified and operated from 1901 as [[Birkenhead Corporation Tramways]]; it closed in 1937.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-09-01 |title=Birkenhead marks historic tramway |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/liverpool/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8958000/8958230.stm |access-date=2024-11-26 |work=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/liverpool/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8958000/8958230.stm|title=Birkenhead marks historic tramway|date=September 2010}}</ref> Two replica trams, imported from Hong Kong, have been brought into service as part of a heritage tramway between Woodside and [[Wirral Transport Museum]]; [[Birkenhead Corporation Tramways]] car No.20 is preserved on this line.

As part of the ''Wirral Waters'' development, a street car service has been proposed, to be called [[Wirral Street Car]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Wirral Street Car |url=https://www.wirralwaters.co.uk/projects/wirral-street-car/ |website=Wirral Waters |access-date=13 August 2022}}</ref>

===Roads===
Junctions 1 and 3 of the [[M53 motorway]] facilitate access to the national motorway network. The [[A41 road|A41]] [[trunk road]] connects Woodside with [[Marble Arch]] in London. Two road tunnels, the [[Queensway Tunnel|Queensway road tunnel]] from Birkenhead and the [[Kingsway Tunnel|Kingsway road tunnel]] from Wallasey, run underneath the River Mersey and connect the town to Liverpool.

===Maritime===
Birkenhead's [[Great Float|dock system]] is part of the [[Port of Liverpool]], operated by the [[Mersey Docks and Harbour Company]] under the ownership of [[The Peel Group]]. The [[Twelve Quays]] ferry terminal allows a direct freight and passenger vehicle service to [[Dublin]] and [[Belfast]]. Daily Belfast services are run by [[Stena Line]], using their [[Roll-on/roll-off#ROPAX|RoPax]] ferries {{MS|Stena Edda}} and {{MS|Stena Embla}} from 2020 to 2021,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bairdmaritime.com/work-boat-world/passenger-vessel-world/ro-pax/stena-lines-newest-e-flexer-ferry-completes-sea-trials/|title=Stena Line's newest E-Flexer ferry completes sea trials|work=Baird Maritime|date=26 October 2020|accessdate=6 March 2021}}</ref> which replaced {{MS|Stena Lagan}} and {{MS|Stena Mersey}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/business/mersey-belfast-ferry-operator-close-8924491|title=Mersey to Belfast ferry operator close to completing £6m upgrade on Irish Sea fleet|first=Tony|last=McDonough|work=Liverpool Echo|date=27 March 2015|access-date=7 March 2016}}</ref> In 2024, a freight only service to Dublin commenced.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-19 |title=Stena Line commences new Irish Sea freight-only route |url=https://www.irishnews.com/news/business/stena-line-commences-new-irish-sea-freight-only-route-L7FB7NXDMNDJXEJGYVNYUI727I/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=The Irish News |language=en}}</ref> The [[Mersey Ferry]] at Woodside operates a passenger service to Liverpool and chartered cruising.

===Aviation===
The nearest airport is [[Liverpool John Lennon Airport]] (formerly known as Speke Airport), about {{convert|8|mi|0|abbr=out}} from Birkenhead. [[Manchester Airport]] is approximately {{convert|40|mi|km|abbr=on}} away. Other nearby aviation facilities include [[Hawarden Airport]] and [[RAF Woodvale]]. Former airfields in the area include [[RAF Hooton Park]] and [[Bidston]] Aerodrome.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wirralhistory.net/bidstonaerodrome.html|title=Bidston Aerodrome|work=History of The Wirral Hundred or The Wirral Peninsula|access-date=7 March 2016}}</ref>

==Education==

===Schools===
Birkenhead has a number of maintained schools, including [[Birkenhead Park School]] (formed after the merger of Rock Ferry High School and Park High School) and the only all-boys Catholic grammar school in the area [[St. Anselm's College]].

Birkenhead also has two independently run schools. The oldest is [[Birkenhead School]].<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.birkenheadschool.co.uk|title=Birkenhead School|access-date=2 February 2007|isbn=0-907768-88-1|last1=Duggan|first1=Mona|year=1996|publisher=Countyvise }}</ref> It was exclusively a boys' school from its founding in 1860 until 2000, when its sixth form became co-educational. It became fully co-educational for pupils aged 3–18 in 2008.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/search/display.var.1819178.0.school_prepares_to_make_historic_move.php|title=School prepares to make historic move|website=www.wirralglobe.co.uk|date=8 November 2007|access-date=14 January 2008}}</ref> "Old Birkonians" (as former pupils are known) include the lawyer [[Lord Birkenhead|F.E. Smith]] (Lord Birkenhead); [[Andreas Whittam Smith]] (chairman of the [[British Board of Film Classification]] (BBFC) and founder of ''[[The Independent]]'' newspaper); mountaineer [[Andrew Irvine (mountaineer)|Andrew Irvine]]; [[Philip Toosey]] (hero at the [[Bridge on the River Kwai]]); and [[Tony Hall, Baron Hall of Birkenhead|Tony Hall]] (former [[Director-General of the BBC]]).

[[Birkenhead High School Academy]], formerly Birkenhead Girls High School, is an all-ability state funded girls' [[Academy (English school)|Academy]]. It was founded in 1885 and caters for girls aged 3–19. Its sponsor was the [[Girls' Day School Trust]], but is now publicly funded. Its alumnae include the actress [[Patricia Routledge]]. Birkenhead Girls High School decided to become a state-funded [[Academy (England)|Academy]] school in 2009, increasing the availability of its education.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2009/11/20/wirral-s-birkenhead-high-school-academy-told-to-cater-for-the-poorest-92534-25211679|title=Wirral's Birkenhead High School Academy told to cater for the poorest|work=Liverpool Daily Post|first=Kevin|last=Core|date=20 November 2009|access-date=4 December 2009}}</ref> Like the change to co-education at Birkenhead School, this decision was largely driven by falling pupil numbers;{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} however to this date, it remains a single-sex school.

Birkenhead Institute Grammar School<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.birkenheadinstitute.co.uk/|title=Birkenhead Institute}}</ref> existed from 1889 in Whetstone Lane, before being moved to Claughton in the 1970s. The school closed in 1994.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://biwirral.webs.com/|title=Birkenhead Institute, Wirral|work=Spirit of Birkenhead Institute|access-date=31 August 2016}}</ref> The school's alumni include [[Wilfred Owen]].

===Colleges===
Previously situated at Borough Road, Birkenhead's college has campuses at Europa Boulevard and Twelve Quays. The college was originally Birkenhead Technical College, and has been known as [[Wirral Metropolitan College]] since the 1980s.{{citation needed|date=November 2015}} The college had a theatre on Borough Road named after one of its most famous former students, [[Glenda Jackson]], the [[Academy Awards|Oscar]]-winning actress and Member of Parliament, herself a Birkonian, born in 1936. The Borough Road campus and the Glenda Jackson Theatre were demolished in late 2005, to make way for [[Apartment|flats]], although Wirral Metropolitan College flourishes on other sites across Wirral. The theatre secretly housed an emergency command centre for the region in its basement, accessible via the college.<ref name="bunker">{{cite web|url=http://www.subbrit.org.uk/rsg/sites/b/birkenhead/|title=Site Name: Birkenhead - Wirral Metropolitan Borough Emergency Centre/Merseyside County Standby (Site 2)|work=Subterranea Britannica|access-date=1 November 2015}}</ref> Politicians and officials would have retreated to this secure [[bunker]] in the event of nuclear war to co-ordinate the recovery effort. By the 1990s, after the end of the [[Cold War]], the bunker had been decommissioned and the surrounding complex of rooms was used by the college as a rehearsal space and recording studio.<ref name="bunker" />

Other colleges include the [[Birkenhead Sixth Form College]], in the Claughton area of the town, formerly the site of Corpus Christi Catholic High School.

==Religion==
[[File:St James' Church, Birkenhead - DSC04377.JPG|thumb|right|St James' Church]]
Religion in Birkenhead dates back to 1150 when Hamon de Masci founded [[Birkenhead Priory]] for the [[Benedictine]] order.

The current [[Anglican]] churches are [[St James' Church, Birkenhead|St. James' Church]], [[Christ Church, Birkenhead|Christ Church]] and the [[Church of Christ the King, Birkenhead|Church of Christ the King]] which are all within the [[Diocese of Chester]]. [[Julie Conalty]] is the current [[Suffragan bishop|suffragan]] [[Bishop of Birkenhead]].

[[Roman Catholic]] churches include the [[Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Birkenhead|Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception]] and [[St Werburgh's Church, Birkenhead|St. Werburgh's Church]] which are within the [[Diocese of Shrewsbury]].

The other religious buildings include the [[Wirral Christian Centre]] of the [[Elim Pentecostal Church]] and the [[Islamic]] Shah Jalal [[Mosque]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mosquedirectory.co.uk/mosques/england/merseyside/liverpool/birkenhead/Wirral-Islamic-Cultural-Centre-and-Shah-Jalal-Mosque-Birkenhead-Liverpool-Merseyside/2939|title=Wirral Islamic Cultural Centre and Shah Jalal Mosque|work=mosquedirectory.co.uk|access-date=13 February 2016}}</ref> The [[Jewish]] Birkenhead [[Synagogue]] existed from 1890 and closed prior to 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishgen.org/jcr-uk/Community/birken/index.htm|title=Birkenhead Synagogue|work=JCR-UK|access-date=13 February 2016}}</ref>

[[Flaybrick Hill Cemetery|Flaybrick Memorial Gardens]] contains the town's former main cemetery, which is situated near to St. James' Church. Flaybrick Hill Cemetery has been superseded by [[Landican#Landican Cemetery|Landican Cemetery]], opened in 1934.

==Healthcare==
Birkenhead is served by [[Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust]] (through its [[Arrowe Park Hospital]], [[St Catherine's Health Centre]] and [[Clatterbridge Hospital]] sites) and Wirral [[primary care trust|Primary Care Trust]]. Formerly, Birkenhead was also served by [[Birkenhead General Hospital]] on Park Road North and St. James' Hospital in Claughton, now demolished and redeveloped for housing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/hospitalrecords/details.asp?id=816&page=58|title= St James' Hospital, Birkenhead|publisher=National archives|access-date=11 April 2019}}</ref>

==Arts, sports and leisure==

===Arts===
The [[Laird School of Art]] was the first public school of art outside London and was given to the town by John Laird. It opened on 27 September 1871. The [[Williamson Art Gallery and Museum|Williamson Art Gallery]] was opened in 1928 and houses a fine collection of paintings, porcelain and pottery.

In 1856, Birkenhead Library was opened as the country's first public library in an [[Unincorporated area|unincorporated]] borough.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.visitliverpool.com/site/product-p44389|title=Birkenhead Central Library|publisher=visitliverpool.com|access-date=14 January 2008}} {{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
The library was situated in Hamilton Street until 1909, when it moved to a new building in Market Street South,<ref name=Bidston23>{{harvnb|Bidston|1978|page=23}}</ref> near Birkenhead Market. In the 1930s, this building (along with much of the surrounding area) was demolished to make way for the entrance to the [[Queensway Tunnel]]. The present library, [[Birkenhead Central Library]], is situated on Borough Road and was opened by [[George V of the United Kingdom|King George V]] in 1934.<ref name=Bidston23 />

Despite being in England, Birkenhead (known as ''Penbedw'', in Welsh) hosted Wales' [[National Eisteddfod]] in 1917<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.archiveshub.ac.uk/aug04e.shtml|title=Title page of the 1917 Welsh National Eisteddfod programme held at Birkenhead|publisher=Archives Hub|access-date=18 February 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070525192426/http://www.archiveshub.ac.uk/aug04e.shtml|archive-date=25 May 2007}}</ref> as well as an unofficial National Eisteddfod event in 1879. As in Liverpool,<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northeast/sites/history/pages/liverpool.shtml|title=The Liverpool Welsh|publisher=BBC Wales|date=7 January 2008|access-date=14 January 2008}}</ref> migrants from Wales, especially North Wales, contributed greatly to the growth of the town and its cultural development in the 19th century. The first local Birkenhead Eisteddfod, a precursor of the national events, took place in 1864.<ref>{{cite book|title=Liverpool 800: Culture, Character & History|editor=John Belchem|year=2006|publisher=Liverpool University Press |isbn=1-84631-035-0}}</ref> The 1917 National Eisteddfod was notable for the award of the chair to the poet Ellis Humphrey Evans, known as [[Hedd Wyn]]. The winner was announced, and the crowd waited for the winner to accept congratulations before the chairing ceremony, but no winner appeared. It was then announced that Hedd Wyn had been killed the previous month on the battlefield in Belgium, and the bardic chair was draped in black. These events were portrayed in the [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] nominated film ''[[Hedd Wyn (film)|Hedd Wyn]]'', and were apparently intended as a protest against the war policies of [[Prime Minister of the UK|Prime Minister]] [[David Lloyd George]], who was present. There is a commemorative stone for the event in Birkenhead Park.<ref>{{cite book|first=Stephen J.|last=Roberts|title=A History of Wirral|year=2002|publisher=Phillimore |isbn=978-1-86077-512-3}}</ref> The first meeting of the international [[Celtic Congress]] also took place at the Birkenhead Eisteddfod.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.evertype.com/celtcong/cc-hist-mellis.html |title=A short history of the Celtic Congress|first=Mari|last=Ellis|access-date=3 October 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080602125805/http://www.evertype.com/celtcong/cc-hist-mellis.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2 June 2008}}</ref>

The [[Argyle Theatre]] was a major theatre and music hall which opened on 28 December 1868<ref name=Bidston19 /> and became notable for the calibre of artistes who appeared there. Later in its life, it was also used as a cinema. The theatre was destroyed by bombing in 1940.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/BirkenheadTheatres.htm|title=Birkenhead, Wirral, Theatres and Halls|publisher=arthurlloyd.co.uk|access-date=16 July 2007}}</ref>

The ''Theatre Royal'', opened on 31 October 1864, was in Argyle Street and had a capacity of 1,850.<ref name=Bidston19 /> This theatre was closed in 1919 and demolished in the 1930s.<ref name=Bidston19 /> Another theatre, the ''Hippodrome'', which was converted into a cinema in the 1930s, stood on the site of what became the [[The Co-operative Group|Co-operative]] department store in Grange Road.<ref name=Bidston20>{{harvnb|Bidston|1978|page=20}}</ref>

The Little Theatre was established in 1958 from a converted former [[Presbyterian]] church. The Pacific Road Arts Centre in Woodside opened in 1999, but in 2015 was converted to a "Business Hub".

===Media===
Birkenhead is served by the ''[[Liverpool Echo]]'' local daily newspaper. The local weekly newspaper is the ''Wirral Globe'' and the online-only news website is ''Birkenhead News''.

There are four local radio stations that transmit to Birkenhead: [[BBC Radio Merseyside]], [[Hits Radio Liverpool]], [[Greatest Hits Liverpool]] and [[Capital Liverpool]].

Birkenhead is within the television regions of [[BBC North West]] and [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]'s [[Granada Television]], although Welsh regional TV transmitted from the [[Moel y Parc transmitting station|Moel y Parc transmitter]] in Flintshire can also be received. The local television station [[Liverpool TV]] also broadcasts to the area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/11646943.Bay_TV_Liverpool_to_make_a_splash_today/|title=Bay TV Liverpool to make a splash today|work=Wirral Globe|date=4 December 2014|access-date=2 November 2015}}</ref>

===Leisure===
As well as Birkenhead Park, other recreational open spaces in Birkenhead include Mersey Park and Victoria Park. [[Arrowe Country Park|Arrowe Park]] is a large area of parkland at the western edge of the town. In 1929, the [[3rd World Scout Jamboree]] was held there.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}

The first two [[Scouting|Boy Scout]] groups in the world are thought to have been founded as the 1st and 2nd Birkenhead groups at [[YMCA]] on the same night in 1908.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://2ndbirkenhead.webs.com/|title=Home|website=2nd Birkenhead Scout Group|access-date=2018-11-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112101413/https://2ndbirkenhead.webs.com/|archive-date=12 November 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Sport===
[[File:Prenton Park Panorama 1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|[[Prenton Park]]]]
The first known [[association football|football]] club on the Wirral was Birkenhead F.C. which was founded in 1879 by Robert E. Lythgoe, a former [[Druids F.C.]] player. An unrelated, disbanded side had played under the name Tranmere Rovers Cricket Club in 1881–82. Other clubs included Belmont Football Club, founded in 1884. They adopted the name [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.]] the following year, and are a professional team who play at [[Prenton Park]] near the Tranmere area of the town. They were a founder member of [[Football League Third Division North|Division Three North]] in 1921, and were a member of [[The Football League]] until 2015, when they were relegated to the [[Football Conference|Conference]], the fifth tier of English football. They returned to the Football League three seasons later, after a 2-1 play-off final win against [[Boreham Wood F.C.]] [[Cammell Laird 1907 F.C.]] is the town's semi-professional [[association football|football]] club who play at Kirklands in Rock Ferry. They play in the [[North West Counties League]] Division One.

The [[Birkenhead Park FC|Birkenhead Park Football Club]] was founded in 1871, the same year as the [[Rugby Football Union]]. The club originally played in the Lower Park but moved to their current home in the Upper Park in 1885.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/birkenheadpark/a/a-brief-history-of-birkenhead-park-41151.html |title=A BRIEF HISTORY OF BIRKENHEAD PARK|work=Pitchero|access-date=23 November 2015}}</ref> Birkenhead Park also has its own [[cricket]] club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/birkenheadparkcricketclub|title=Welcome|work=Pitchero|access-date=1 November 2015}}</ref>

Also in the town are the Birkenhead North End and Victoria Cycling Clubs. Olympic riders from the clubs include [[Chris Boardman]], [[Mark Bell (cyclist)|Mark Bell]], [[Steve Cummings]] and [[Rachel Heal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bnecc.co.uk/about_us.htm|title=Birkenhead North End Cycling Club Olympians|access-date=18 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008215259/http://www.bnecc.co.uk/about_us.htm|archive-date=8 October 2007|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://fp.marklw.plus.com/htdocs/bvcc/theclub/history.htm|title=Birkenhead Victoria Cycling Club history |access-date=18 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050107022728/http://fp.marklw.plus.com/htdocs/bvcc/theclub/history.htm|archive-date=7 January 2005}}</ref>

Birkenhead has been host to various [[Rowing (sport)|rowing]] clubs since 1840.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merseyrc.com/page11.htm|title=The History of Mersey Rowing Club: Founded 1854|work=Mersey Rowing Club|access-date=5 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505062910/http://www.merseyrc.com/page11.htm|archive-date=5 May 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> At present, Liverpool Victoria Rowing Club operates from a facility at the western end of West Float.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishrowing.org/club/liverpool-victoria-rc/|title=Liverpool Victoria RC|work=British Rowing|access-date=5 February 2018}}</ref>

==Cultural references==
Birkenhead is indirectly referenced by "''the Birken'ead drill''" in [[Rudyard Kipling]]'s poem "Soldier an' Sailor Too": ''To take your chance in the thick of a rush, with firing all about, / Is nothing so bad when you've cover to 'and, an' leave an' likin' to shout; / But to stand an' be still to the Birken'ead drill is a damn tough bullet to chew, / An' they done it, the Jollies – 'Er Majesty's Jollies – soldier an' sailor too!'', as it refers to heroism by Royal Marines during the sinking of [[HMS Birkenhead (1845)|HMS Birkenhead]], herself named after the town in which it was built. [[HMS Birkenhead (1845)#Aftermath|Other authors]] have done this as well.

Birkenhead is mentioned in the song "What She Said" on the album ''[[Meat Is Murder]]'' by [[the Smiths]]: "''What she read/All heady books/She'd sit and prophesise/(It took a tattooed boy from Birkenhead/To really really open her eyes).''" The town is also referred to in the song "Everything Is Sorrow" on the [[The Boo Radleys|Boo Radleys]]' ''[[C'mon Kids]]'' album: ''I worked in Birkenhead for you/It brings me tears even now.''

A fairly detailed description of the town is given in [[Paul O'Grady]]'s memoirs, ''At My Mother's Knee... and Other Low Joints: The Autobiography''.

The 1998 book, [[Awaydays]], and the 2009 film of the same name are set in Birkenhead.

It has been suggested that [[Robert Louis Stevenson]] set his 1881 classic novel ''[[Treasure Island (novel)|Treasure Island]]'' in the towns of Birkenhead and Wallasey and that the French science fiction writer [[Jules Verne]] set his 1874 novel ''[[The Mysterious Island]]'' in Birkenhead.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hadfield |first=Charlotte |date=2022-08-09 |title=Teacher makes 'one of the great discoveries of world literature' |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-teacher-makes-one-greatest-24709257 |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Liverpool Echo |language=en}}</ref>

==Notable people==
:''See [[:Category:People from Merseyside]]''
===Actors and performers===
In the arts, Birkenhead has produced several actors and performers including [[Lionel Gamlin]], [[Roger Abbott]],<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia  | title = Roger Abbott  | encyclopedia = The Canadian Encyclopedia  | publisher = Historica Dominion  | url = http://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/roger-abbott/  | accessdate = 2011-03-27}}</ref> [[Glenda Jackson]],<ref name="liverpoolecho.co.uk">{{Cite web|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/birkenhead|title=Latest Birkenhead news and views|website=www.liverpoolecho.co.uk|accessdate=3 October 2023}}</ref> [[Anew McMaster]],<ref>[https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/8912/ONS_B18922AZ-0361/21886160 England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 for Andrew McMaster (1892) - Ancestry.com {{subscription required}}]</ref><ref>[https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/7814/CHSRG13_3399_3401-0240/20185088?backurl=https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/151060131/person/112005078389/facts/citation/522161655752/edit/record 1901 England Census for Andrew McMaster, Cheshire, Birkenhead - Ancestry.com {{subscription required}}]</ref>  [[Lewis Collins]], [[Megs Jenkins]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-megs-jenkins-1177763.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-megs-jenkins-1177763.html |archive-date=12 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |first=Tom |last=Vallance |title=Obituary: Megs Jenkins |date=11 October 1998 |newspaper=[[The Independent]]|location=London |accessdate=19 September 2016}}</ref> [[Taron Egerton]], [[Dominic Purcell]],{{citation needed|date=October 2023}} [[Patricia Routledge]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Archer|first=Peter|title=Favourite snob to collect CBE|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/14/1097607349192.html|access-date=12 November 2013|newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=14 October 2004}}</ref> [[Paul O'Grady]] (also known as [[Lily Savage]]),<ref>{{cite web |title=TV star and comedian Paul O'Grady dies aged 67 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/paul-o-grady-death-cause-67-b2309853.html |website=The Independent |access-date=29 March 2023 |language=en |date=29 March 2023}}</ref> soprano [[Valerie Masterson]]<ref>Stone, David. [https://www.gsarchive.net/whowaswho/M/MastersonValerie.htm "Valerie Masterson"], ''Who Was Who in the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company (1875–1982)'', accessed 10 May 2009</ref> and baritone [[George Baker (baritone)|George Baker]].<ref>{{cite book|editor-last= Gaye|editor-first=Freda  |year= 1967|title=Who's Who in the Theatre |edition=fourteenth|location=London |publisher=Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons |page=334|oclc=5997224 }}</ref> The dancer and actor [[Lindsay Kemp]] was born in the town but as a child moved to [[South Shields]].<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/features/lindsay-kemp-how-the-lost-boy-of-dance-found-his-feet-9188679.html Nadine Meisner, "Lindsay Kemp: How the lost boy of dance found his feet", ''The Independent'', 28 January 2002]. Retrieved 25 August 2018</ref> Opera director [[Graham Vick]] was born in Birkenhead.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sir Graham Vick obituary |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sir-graham-vick-obituary-7fr9gn900 |website=[[The Times]] |access-date=31 July 2021 |date=19 July 2021 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

===Artists===
Some notable artists were born in the town, such as [[Philip Wilson Steer]], [[Robert Talbot Kelly]], [[Tom Palin]], [[Bessie Bamber]], [[Annie R. Merrylees Arnold]], [[Percy Bigland]], the workers at the [[Della Robbia Pottery]] and two cartoonists: [[Norman Thelwell]] and [[Bill Tidy]].

===Authors and journalists===
Birkenhead has produced poets and authors such as [[A.S.J. Tessimond]], [[Adrian Henri]]<ref name=wade>{{cite book|title=Gladsongs and Gatherings: Poetry and Its Social Context in Liverpool Since the 1960s|editor-first=Stephen|editor-last=Wade|chapter=Adrian Henri: Singer of Meat and Flowers|pages=73–81|first=David|last=Bateman|publisher=[[Liverpool University Press]]|date=1 March 2001|isbn=0-85323-727-1}}.</ref>  and [[Michael Z. Williamson]]. The World War&nbsp;I poet [[Wilfred Owen]], though born in [[Oswestry]], lived in Birkenhead from the age of four and was educated at the Birkenhead Institute High School (now demolished) before moving with his family to [[Shrewsbury]] in 1907.<ref>{{cite book|title=Wilfred Owen, A Biography|last=Stallworthy|first=Jon|year=1974|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] and Chatto and Windus|pages=35–36|isbn=978-0-19-2117199}}</ref> [[Andreas Whittam Smith]], founder editor of ''[[The Independent]]'', grew up in Birkenhead, where his father was an [[Anglican]] clergyman.<ref>{{citation|title=Why I am Still an Anglican|publisher=Continuum|year=2006|page=67}}</ref>

===Musicians===
There are several musicians linked to the area. [[Freddie Marks]] from [[Rod, Jane and Freddy]] grew up in Birkenhead, and [[John Gorman (entertainer)|John Gorman]] of [[The Scaffold]] was born there. Indie band [[Half Man Half Biscuit]] hail from Birkenhead, as did boogie-rock band [[Engine (boogie-rock band)|Engine]], [[Paul Heaton]], lead singer of the [[The Housemartins|Housemartins]] and the [[The Beautiful South|Beautiful South]], singer/songwriter [[Charlie Landsborough]], and [[Desmond Briscoe]], the co-founder and original manager of the pioneering [[BBC Radiophonic Workshop]]. [[Elvis Costello]] moved to Birkenhead in 1971 with his mother,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/elvis-costello-publish-memoirs-8954761|first=Jade|last=Wright|title=Elvis Costello to publish his memoirs|work=Liverpool Echo|date=31 March 2015|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref> who was from Liverpool, although Costello's father was himself from Birkenhead. 

[[Tony Friel]] (bassist from [[The Fall (band)|the Fall]] and [[The Passage (band)|the Passage]]), synthpop musician [[David Hughes (musician)|David Hughes]] (of [[Dalek I Love You]], [[Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark]] and [[Godot (band)|Godot]]) and [[Malcolm Holmes]] (drummer with pop group Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) were born in Birkenhead. [[David Balfe]] (music manager, and member of [[Big in Japan (band)|Big in Japan]], [[the Teardrop Explodes]]) attended primary and secondary school there.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}} [[Miles Kane]], musician, singer and songwriter and member of [[The Last Shadow Puppets]] and [[The Rascals (English band)|The Rascals]], was born in the town<ref>{{cite news|title=Indie rocker Miles Kane and his mother Pauline on their special relationship|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/mar/10/miles-kane-and-mother-special-relationship|work=The Guardian|access-date=10 April 2013|location=London|first=Shahesta|last=Shaitly|date=10 March 2013}}</ref> as well as the opera singer [[Hugh Beresford]]. Classical composer [[William Lewarne Harris]] (1919–2013) was born in Birkenhead.<ref>Obituary, ''The Times,'' 3 September 2013</ref>

===Politicians and public figures===
[[File:The Rt Hon. Frederick Edwin Smith, 1st Earl of Birkenhead in 1915.jpg|thumb|upright|[[F. E. Smith, 1st Earl of Birkenhead]]]]
[[F. E. Smith, 1st Earl of Birkenhead]], a leading Conservative politician of the early 20th century, was born in the town,<ref>{{Cite ODNB|id = 36137|title = Smith, Frederick Edwin, first earl of Birkenhead (1872–1930)|first = John|last = Campbell|author-link = John Campbell (biographer)}}</ref> as were [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] politician [[Malcolm Bruce]],<ref>[http://www.dundee.ac.uk/pressoffice/gcmagazine/gc2000/georgerobertson.htm The politics department said he wasn't honours material – Nato Secretary General Lord George Robertson talked to Carol Pope] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309195518/http://www.dundee.ac.uk/pressoffice/gcmagazine/gc2000/georgerobertson.htm |date=9 March 2008}} GC Magazine 2000, University of Dundee</ref> and [[Tony Hall, Baron Hall of Birkenhead]], the [[Director-General of the BBC]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/9695803/Lord-Tony-Hall-profile-the-new-BBC-director-general.html | work=The Telegraph | location=London | title=Profile: Lord Hall, the new BBC director-general | first=Alice | last=Philipson | date=23 November 2012 | access-date=23 November 2012}}</ref> Also born in the town was [[Theodora Llewelyn Davies]], a barrister and penal reform campaigner, who in 1920 was the first woman admitted to the [[Inner Temple]] and [[Florence Barry]], [[Suffrage|suffragist]], member of the [[Women's Social and Political Union]] (WSPU) and leader of the [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] feminist organisation [[St. Joan's International Alliance|St. Joan’s International Alliance]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Crawford |first=Elizabeth |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a2EK9P7-ZMsC&dq=florence+barry+catholic&pg=PA37 |title=The Women's Suffrage Movement: A Reference Guide 1866-1928 |date=2003-09-02 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-43402-1 |pages=37 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Cowman |first=Krista |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c0_JEBIPyysC&dq=florence+barry+catholic&pg=PA112 |title=Mrs Brown is a Man and a Brother: Women in Merseyside's Political Organisations, 1890-1920 |date=2004-01-01 |publisher=Liverpool University Press |isbn=978-0-85323-748-8 |pages=112 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Hartley |first=Cathy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pFGR2OvCAS4C&dq=florence+barry+catholic&pg=PA35 |title=A Historical Dictionary of British Women |date=2013-04-15 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-35533-3 |pages=35 |language=en}}</ref>

===Scientists and technologists===
Aerodynamicists [[Gwen Alston]] and [[Melvill Jones]] were born in Birkenhead. Physiologist [[Hugh Huxley]] was born in Birkenhead

===Explorers and soldiers===
[[Sandy Irvine]], a participant of the [[1924 British Mount Everest expedition]], was born in Birkenhead. There has been speculation that [[George Mallory]] and he reached the summit. [[Alan Rouse]], a mountaineer who died in the [[1986 K2 disaster]], was educated in Birkenhead. [[Daniel Poole]], a recipient of the [[Distinguished Conduct Medal]] during World War&nbsp;I was born in the town.<ref name=ADB>{{cite Australian Dictionary of Biography |last=Foldi |first=N. S. |year=1978 |id2=poole-daniel-8074 |title=Daniel Poole (1882–1959) |volume=11 |access-date=15 August 2025}}</ref> [[Philip Toosey|Brigadier Sir Philip Toosey]], known for his time commanding British prisoners of the Japanese during World War&nbsp;II, was born at [[Oxton, Merseyside|Oxton]].<ref>The Man Behind the Bridge, Peter Davies, Bloomsbury, 2013, p. 10</ref>

===Sportspeople===
Birkenhead has also produced notable sportsmen such as [[Matt Dawson]], the [[rugby union]] player, golfer [[Paul Waring]]; [[William Ralph Dean|'Dixie' Dean]] ([[Everton F.C.]]),<ref name="liverpoolecho.co.uk"/> record-breaking footballer, who was born at 313 Laird Street; and several other footballers including [[Peter Davenport]], [[Jason McAteer]], [[David Thompson (footballer, born 1977)|David Thompson]], [[Max Power (footballer)|Max Power]],<ref>{{cite book|editor1-first=Glenda|editor1-last=Rollin|editor2-first=Jack|editor2-last=Rollin|title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013|year=2012|publisher=Headline Publishing Group|location=London|isbn=978-0-7553-6356-8|page=545|edition=43rd}}</ref> and [[Jodie Taylor]] (England international "Lioness").<ref>{{cite web |title=Women's World Cup 2019: Mapping England's Lionesses squad |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-48801235 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=6 September 2019 |date=2 July 2019}}</ref> The football manager [[Nigel Adkins]] also hails from the town.<ref>{{Hugman|84|access-date=4 April 2017}}</ref>

===Others===
Gary Finlay, the [[murder of Graham McKenna|murderer of Graham McKenna]], was born in Birkenhead,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dunn |first1=Justin |title=1,100 gather for Graham McKenna's funeral |url=https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/4168655.1100-gather-for-graham-mckennas-funeral/ |access-date=11 December 2020 |work=Wirral Globe |date=3 March 2009 |language=en}}</ref> as was the prominent [[occult]]ist [[Alex Sanders (Wiccan)|Alex Sanders]].<ref>"A Talk by Maxine Sanders" part 1, ''Witchcraft and Wicca'' Issue 3, p. 4. London: Children of Artemis.</ref>

==Twin towns==
Birkenhead is [[Town twinning|twinned]], as a part of [[Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|Wirral]], with:
* [[Gennevilliers]], France
* [[Latina, Lazio]], Italy
* [[Lorient]], France

===Twin towns – Sister cities===
Birkenhead also has a [[Sister City|Sister City Agreement]] with:
* [[Midland, Texas]], United States<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100009/200096/662/content_0002058.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070703053914/http://www.wirral.gov.uk/LGCL/100009/200096/662/content_0002058.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 July 2007|title=Town Twinning|year=1997|publisher=Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|access-date=14 January 2008|isbn=92-827-8272-7}}</ref>

{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in the United Kingdom}}

==Future==
The major redevelopment project under consideration is [[Peel Holdings]]' "[[Wirral Waters]]". This would allow for £4.5&nbsp;billion of investment in the regeneration of the dockland area. This equates with an investment of over £14,000 for each of the 320,000 residents of the Wirral. At the [[Great Float|East Float]] and [[Vittoria Dock]], the development would include {{convert|5000000|sqft|m2|-3}} of new office space and {{convert|11000000|sqft|m2}} for new residential flats. A retail and leisure quarter at the former [[Bidston Dock]] site would encompass another {{convert|571000|sqft|m2|-2}} of space. The whole project would create more than 27,000 permanent new jobs, aside from the employment required for construction and other peripheral employment. The development would be expected to take up to thirty years.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.peel.co.uk/peelholdings/source/newsdetails.asp?type=1&page=1&newsid=122|title=Peel unveil plans for £4.5 billion "Wirral Waters" scheme|publisher=Peel Holdings|date=5 September 2006|access-date=14 January 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071011034738/http://www.peel.co.uk/peelholdings/source/newsdetails.asp?type=1&page=1&newsid=122 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 11 October 2007}}</ref>

Redevelopment work is also planned in the town centre, in particular the areas surrounding Birkenhead market and Princess Pavement.<ref>{{cite web | title=Update on new Birkenhead market &#124; Wirral View | date=7 March 2025 | url=https://wirralview.com/regeneration/update-new-birkenhead-market }}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Listed buildings in Birkenhead]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
*{{cite book|title=Birkenhead in Times Past|first=Carol E.|last=Bidston|publisher=Countryside Publications Ltd.|location=Chorley|year=1978|isbn=0861570030|oclc=16480899}}
*{{cite book|title=Birkenhead Through Time|first=Ian|last=Collard|publisher=Amberley|year=2012|isbn=9781848689657|oclc=934954016}}
*{{cite book| title=The Wirral Railway and its Predecessors| year=2009| first=T.B. |last=Maund| publisher=Lightmoor Press| isbn=978-1-899889-38-9}}
*{{cite book|first1=Nikolaus|last1=Pevsner|author-link1=Nikolaus Pevsner|first2=Edward|last2=Hubbard|author-link2=Edward Hubbard (architectural historian)|title=Cheshire|series=The Buildings of England|publisher=Penguin|year=1971|isbn=9780140710427|oclc=521341}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin|40em}}
*{{cite book|title=Birkenhead and its Surroundings|first=Henry Kelsall|last=Aspinall|publisher=The Liverpool Booksellers' Co. Ltd.|location=Liverpool|date=1903|isbn=9785874616144|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S3IKAwAAQBAJ|oclc=33990938}}
*{{cite book|title=Yesterday's Wirral: Birkenhead, Prenton and Oxton|first1=Ian|last1=Boumphrey|first2=Marilyn|last2=Boumphrey|publisher=Ian & Marilyn Boumphrey|year=1981|isbn=9780950725512|oclc=16599808}}
*{{cite book|title=Birkenhead: A Pictorial History|first=Ian|last=Boumphrey|publisher=Phillmore|year=1995|isbn=9780850339888|oclc=36548684}}
*{{cite book|title=Yesterday's Birkenhead|first=Ian|last=Boumphrey|publisher=The author|year=2007a|isbn=9781899241262}}
*{{cite book|title=Birkenhead at War 1939-45|first=Ian|last=Boumphrey|publisher=Ian & Marilyn Boumphrey|year=2007b|isbn=9781899241163|oclc=650238915}}
*{{cite book|title=Annals of the Liverpool Stage|pages=377–386|first=R.J.|last=Broadbent|publisher=Edward Howell|location=Liverpool|year=1908|url=https://archive.org/stream/cu31924026123822#page/n437/mode/2up/search/birkenhead}}
*{{cite book|title=Birkenhead: An Illustrated History|first=Ralph T.|last=Brocklebank|publisher=Breedon|year=2003|isbn=9781859833506|oclc=56469838}}
*{{cite book|title=Birkenhead from old photographs|first=Ian|last=Collard|publisher=Amberley|year=2010|isbn=9781848685796|oclc=503647633}}
*{{cite book|title=Birkenhead: A History|first=Elizabeth|last=Davey|publisher=The History Press|year=2013|isbn=9780750955522|oclc=316434050}}
*{{cite book|title=Memories of the chronicles of Birkenhead|first=Hilda|last=Gamlin|publisher=E. Howell|year=1892|oclc=866209732}}
*{{cite book|title=A Century of Birkenhead and Wirral|first=Cliff|last=Hayes|publisher=Sutton|year=2007|isbn=9780750949040|oclc=520460751}}
*{{cite book|title=Birkenhead Shipbuilding|first=Alan G.|last=Jones|publisher=Fast Print|year=2011|isbn= 	9781780352114|oclc=773368902}}
*{{cite book|title=Bygone Birkenhead|first=J.R.|last=Kaighin|publisher=Wilmer|year=1925|oclc=77304339}}
*{{cite book|title=Birkenhead, 1877-1974|first=Myrra|last=Lea|publisher=County Borough of Birkenhead|year=1974|isbn=9780904582000|oclc=1365533}}
*{{cite book|title=Meat at Woodside: Birkenhead Livestock Trade, 1878-1981|first=Ken|last=McCarron|publisher=Merseyside Port Folios|year=1991|isbn=9780951612927|oclc=26313657}}
*{{cite book|title=Birkenhead yesterday and today|first=W.R.S.|last=McIntyre|publisher=Philip|year=1948|oclc=504769644}}
*{{cite book|title=The History of the Hundred of Wirral|first=William Williams|last=Mortimer|year=1847|publisher=Whittaker & Co.|location=London|url=https://archive.org/stream/historyhundredw01mortgoog#page/n346/mode/2up|id=pp305–405|oclc=4976662}}
*{{cite book|title=Reminiscences of Birkenhead|first=Charles Grey|last=Mott|publisher=H. Young and Sons|year=1900|oclc=12987941}}
*{{cite book|title=Report on Secondary Education in Birkenhead|first=Michael E.|last=Sadler|publisher=George Philip & Son Ltd.|location=London|year=1904|url=https://archive.org/stream/reportonseconda04sadlgoog#page/n5/mode/2up}}
*{{cite book|title=History of ancient and modern Birkenhead|first=Philip|last=Sulley|publisher=W.M. Murphy|year=1907|oclc=29557494}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{EB1911 poster|Birkenhead}}
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{Wikivoyage inline}}
* [http://www.wirralhistory.com/Birkenhead.html Birkenhead & Surrounds] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107024814/http://www.wirralhistory.com/Birkenhead.html |date=7 November 2017 }}

{{Birkenhead}}

{{Populated Places in Wirral Borough}}
{{Merseyside}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Birkenhead| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Merseyside]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in North West England]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns of the Irish Sea]]
[[Category:Towns and villages in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral]]
[[Category:Unparished areas in Merseyside]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Merseyside]]
[[Category:Former civil parishes in Merseyside]]