A villa estate which lies just across the road from a shopping centre is unknown to many.
Clifton Park, in the heart of Birkenhead, is a conservation area with a rich history and looks like something out of a film set. Tucked away from view, just a short distance away is the Pyramids shopping centre and town centre on Grange Road.
Walking along Clifton Road, where many of the listed buildings are situated, is like stepping into another world. Grand buildings which look like they could be set in Italy or the Elizabethan times stand form all along the road.
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The "villa estate" which was one of the first on the Wirral all began when 19th century rich merchants and traders wanted to live in "the countryside" following their wealth in Liverpool. The residential villas of high quality spread out from the town and park and occupied the higher land or the banks of the Mersey, where air was cleaner and views more extensive.
Clifton Park was one of these residential areas and was developed by Captain William Sharp to a layout by the Birkenhead architect, Walter Scott around 1840. By 1843, the first residential houses had been built down one side of Clifton Road and Whetstone Lane.
Many of the villas were made out of ashlar stone from Storeton Quarries and built in Gothic, Elizabethan and Italianate styles. Walter also lived in one of the houses himself at number 11 with his wife and eight children - this house is now a listed building.
However, the dream was to be abandoned as a economic depression hit the country in the 1840s. A rapid turnover of residents at Clifton Park also highlighted the financial crisis.
House value also started to decline following the new gas works close by and the relocation of Laird's shipyard to the Tranmere foreshore in the 1850s. Clifton Park was not just a home for residents but also had other uses.
Some of these included house number three Clifton Road being used as a Ladies Charitable Institute and Hospital from 1845. House number 18 on Clifton Road was used a private a school for "the education of young ladies" run by Miss Hayes.
Several notable names from the history of the region lived in Clifton Park. They included the architect Lewis Hornblower, who designed the grand entrance for Birkenhead Park as well as some of the architectural features for Liverpool's Princes Park. He also co-designed Sefton Park.
Charles Willmer, who lived in The Woodlands, was one of the best known names in 19th century journalism, founding the Cheshire Observer and the Birkenhead News. He was also a Liberal councillor for 19 years, and was Mayor of Birkenhead in 1891.
The famous WW1 poet, Wilfred Owen, lived on the edge of the conservation area in Elm Grove. He was a pupil at Birkenhead Institute when it was in Whetstone Lane. In recent times, Clifton Park has become a conservation area, with many of the buildings grade II listed.
Due to it being a conservation area, people living in Clifton Park may face some planning constraints. Some of these include getting planning permission for satellite dishes and minor developments such as getting pebble stone or render.
Advertisements which require consent are also "strictly controlled" and must be "properly related to the design of the buildings on which they are to be displayed." Any "illuminated signs" would also be "resisted", according to Wirral Council.
