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Coordinates: 53°19′41″N 3°05′56″W / 53.328°N 3.099°W / 53.328; -3.099
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{{Short description|Coastal town on the Wirral Peninsula,
{{infobox UK place
England}}
|country= England
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
|official_name= Heswall
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
|latitude= 53.328
{{Infobox UK place
|longitude= -3.099
|population= 7,750
| country = England
| official_name = Heswall
|population_ref= ([[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 Census]])<ref name=wirral2001census />
| coordinates = {{coord|53.328|-3.099|display=inline,title}}
|metropolitan_borough= [[Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|Wirral]]
| population = 13,401
|metropolitan_county= [[Merseyside]]
| population_ref = (Ward)<br>([[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 Census]])
|region= North West England
| metropolitan_borough = [[Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|Wirral]]
|constituency_westminster= [[Wirral South (UK Parliament constituency)|Wirral South]]
| metropolitan_county = [[Merseyside]]
|post_town= WIRRAL
| region = North West England
|postcode_district= CH60
| constituency_westminster = [[Wirral West (UK Parliament constituency)|Wirral West]]
|postcode_area= CH
|dial_code= 0151
| post_town = WIRRAL
| postcode_district = CH60 & CH61
|os_grid_reference= SJ269818
| postcode_area = CH
|static_image=
| dial_code = 0151
|static_image_caption=
| os_grid_reference = SJ269818
| static_image_name = Telegraph Road, Heswall - geograph.org.uk - 645655.jpg
| static_image_caption = Telegraph Road
| london_distance = {{convert|178|mi|km|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boulter.com/gps/distance/?from=53.328+-3.099&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
}}
}}


'''Heswall''' is a town on the [[Wirral Peninsula]], [[Merseyside]], [[England]]. Administratively, it is a [[Ward (country subdivision)|ward]] of the [[Metropolitan Borough of Wirral]]. At the time of the [[United Kingdom Census 2001|2001 Census]], the total population of the ward was 16,012 (Male: 7,474; Female: 8,538),<ref>{{citation|url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=3&b=5941384&c=heswall&d=14&e=16&g=361635&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1|title=2001 Census: Heswall|publisher=Office for National Statistics|accessdate=16 July 2007}}</ref> which included the nearby villages of [[Barnston, Merseyside|Barnston]] and [[Gayton, Merseyside|Gayton]]. The population of the town of Heswall itself was 7,750.<ref name=wirral2001census>{{citation|url=http://www.wirral.gov.uk/factsandfigures/census2001/oneward2recset.asp?ref=TS15|title=Wirral 2001 Census: Heswall|publisher=Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|accessdate=16 July 2007}}</ref>
'''Heswall''' ({{IPAc-en|'|h|ɛ|z|w|ɔː|l|,_|-|w|ʊ|l}}) is a coastal town in the [[Metropolitan Borough of Wirral]] in [[Merseyside]], England. It was historically part of [[Cheshire]] and is located on the [[Wirral Peninsula]]. In the [[United Kingdom 2011 census|2011 Census]], the population was 13,401; this figure included the nearby village of [[Gayton, Merseyside|Gayton]].<ref>{{NOMIS2011|id=E05000962|title=Heswall (ward)|access-date=6 July 2023}}</ref>


==History==
Before [[Local Government Act 1972|local government reorganisation]] on 1 April 1974 it was part of the county of [[Cheshire]].
===Early history===
Before the [[Norman Conquest]], Heswall has been cited as a possible location for [[Dingesmere]], mentioned with regard to the [[Battle of Brunanburh]], in ''[[Egil's Saga]]''. Heswall was recorded in the [[Domesday Book]] of 1086 as ''Eswelle'', owned by Robert de Rodelent, who also owned much of the land on the eastern side of the River Dee. In 1277, it became the property of Patrick de Haselwall, who was Sheriff of Cheshire.


==Geography==
===Development===
In 1801, the population was recorded as 168. By the census in 1841, it had grown to 398. Before 1897 it was known as ''Hestlewelle'' or ''Hesselwelle''. Its growth was started by wealthy merchants from Liverpool; they had originally chosen it as a retreat, but the arrival of two railway connections allowed them to commute. One line is the [[Borderlands Line]] from [[Wrexham Central railway station|Wrexham Central]] to [[Bidston railway station|Bidston]] which opened in 1896. This line is still active and has [[Heswall railway station]] on the eastern edge of the town. The station was formerly called Heswall Hills to distinguish it from the older, now demolished, [[Heswall railway station (Birkenhead Railway)|Heswall station]]. The old station was in Station Road in the Lower Village on another line from [[West Kirby]] to [[Hooton, Cheshire|Hooton]]. This opened in 1886 but the line closed to passengers in 1956. The track of the old railway became a footpath, the [[Wirral Country Park|Wirral Way]].
Located on the eastern side of the [[River Dee, Wales|Dee Estuary]], with views across the river to [[North Wales]], Heswall is about 15-20 minutes' drive from the Roman city of [[Chester]] and about 20 minutes' drive from [[Liverpool]]. The spires of Liverpool's cathedrals can be seen on the horizon from high ground.


The speedy development of Heswall has seen the once separate villages of Gayton, Heswall, Pensby and Thingwall become joined by continuous housing.
The town of Heswall consists of three parts: upper, lower and the 'hills'. The commercial upper part is centred at the junction of Telegraph Road and Pensby Road. Lower Heswall village is quieter and designated a [[conservation area]]. 'Heswall Hills' is the south east of upper Heswall - the main roads running through it being Barnston Road and Brimstage Road. Typically, though, Heswall Hills is classed as either Heswall (its postage town) or Barnston. Barnston Primary School is located in Heswall Hills.


==History==
===Architecture===
The oldest structure is the tower of St Peter's Parish Church, which is about 500 years old. The present church was built in 1879, and is the third to have been built on the site. The previous church was destroyed{{citation needed|date=July 2024}} by a violent thunderstorm on 19 September 1875; the organist and the boy who pumped the bellows for the organ were both killed.<ref>{{cite news |date=21 September 1875 |title=Deaths by Lightning |work=Morning Post |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000174/18750921/006/0002 |url-access=subscription |access-date=6 July 2024 |via=[[British Newspaper Archive]] |quote=On Sunday night during a thunderstorm lightning struck the tower of Heswall church, eight miles from Birkenhead, killing the organist, named Heveraux, a young man assisting him, and injuring some other persons.}} </ref>
Heswall was recorded in the ''[[Domesday Book]]'' as ''Eswelle'' and owned by Robert de Rodelent, who also owned much of the land on the eastern side of the River Dee. In 1277, it became the property of Patrick de Haselwall, who was Sheriff of Cheshire.


The remains of Gayton's windmill, which stopped operating in 1860 and is now converted into a house, can be seen close to the Devon Doorway pub-restaurant on Gayton Roundabout, a short distance back up Telegraph Road towards Heswall.
In 1801, the population was recorded as 168. By the census in 1841, it had only grown to 398. Prior to 1897 it was known as ''Hestlewelle'' or ''Hesselwelle''. Its growth was started by wealthy merchants from Liverpool who had originally chosen it as a retreat but the arrival of two railway connections allowed them to commute. One line is the [[Borderlands Line]] from [[Wrexham Central railway station|Wrexham Central]] to [[Bidston railway station|Bidston]] which opened in 1896. This line is still active and has [[Heswall railway station]] on the eastern edge of the town. The station was formerly called Heswall Hills to distinguish it from the older, now demolished, Heswall Station. The old station was in Station Road in the Lower Village on another line from [[West Kirby]] to [[Hooton, Cheshire|Hooton]]. This opened in 1886 but the line closed to passengers in 1956. The track of the old railway became a footpath, the [[Wirral Country Park|Wirral Way]].


The Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital originally opened in Heswall as Liverpool Country Hospital for Children in 1909.<ref name="Children's Hospitals: Liverpool Infirmary for Children">{{citation|url=http://www.mersey-gateway.org/server.php?show=ConNarrative.180&chapterId=739|title=Children's Hospitals: Liverpool Infirmary for Children|publisher=E. Chambré Hardman Archive|accessdate=23 February 2008}}</ref> It stood on the opposite side of Telegraph Road from the 'Puddydale', it had a tall square clock tower and extensive grounds with views over the Dee estuary. The hospital closed in 1985<ref name="Children's Hospitals: Liverpool Infirmary for Children" /> and the site is now occupied by a [[Tesco]] supermarket.
The Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital originally opened in Heswall as ''Liverpool Country Hospital for Children'' in 1909.<ref name="Children's Hospitals: Liverpool Infirmary for Children">{{citation|url=http://www.mersey-gateway.org/server.php?show=ConNarrative.180&chapterId=739|title=Children's Hospitals: Liverpool Infirmary for Children|publisher=E. Chambré Hardman Archive|access-date=23 February 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013204614/http://www.mersey-gateway.org/server.php?show=ConNarrative.180|archive-date=13 October 2007}}</ref> The hospital was situated on a {{convert|9|acre|ha|abbr=on|adj=on|order=flip}} site purchased in 1900.<ref name="hosp">{{cite journal|url=http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1ndm1/HeswallMagazineApril/resources/1.htm|title=Hospitals in Heswall|journal=Heswall Magazine|id=p.24|date=April 2010|access-date=31 October 2015}}</ref> It stood on the opposite side of Telegraph Road from ''[[The Puddydale]]'’ and had a clock tower and grounds with views over the Dee estuary. The hospital closed in 1985<ref name="Children's Hospitals: Liverpool Infirmary for Children" /><ref name="hosp" /> and there is now a [[Tesco]] supermarket on the site.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cheshirelife.co.uk/out-about/places/heswall-why-we-love-this-part-of-the-wirral-1-2963699|title = Heswall - why we love this part of the Wirral|date = 5 November 2013}}</ref> The supermarket was extended in the early 2000s, then refurbished during 2011.

==Geography==
Located on the eastern side of the [[River Dee, Wales|Dee Estuary]], with views across the river to [[North Wales]], Heswall is 13 miles from [[Chester]] and 10 miles from [[Liverpool]] (via the [[Queensway Tunnel|Queensway (Birkenhead) Tunnel]] or 56 miles (avoiding the tunnels). The towers of Liverpool's cathedrals can be seen on the horizon from the town.

==Economy==
An affluent area, Heswall was listed as the seventh richest neighbourhood in the UK in 2001, with an average household income of £46,600.<ref name="Dodd2001">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2001/jan/15/1 |location=London |work=The Guardian |title=South's rich areas get richer |first=Vikram |last=Dodd |date=15 January 2001}}</ref>{{update inline|date=March 2019}}

In 2022, the median house price in Heswall was £409,500, making it the most expensive in the Wirral area.<ref name="Wirralglobe">{{cite news |url=https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/20247677.expensive-busiest-trendiest-parts-wirral-buy-house-revealed/ |title=Most expensive, busiest and trendiest parts of Wirral to buy a house revealed |first=Rebecca |last=McGrath |date=30 June 2022 |newspaper=Wirral Globe}}</ref>


==Open spaces==
==Open spaces==
[[Image:Dales.jpg|thumb|right|Heswall Dales, looking over the Dee to Wales]]
[[File:Heswall Dales, Wirral, Merseyside (2008).jpg|240px|thumb|right|Heswall Dales, looking over the river Dee to North Wales]]
There are several areas of open space. The largest is the [[Heswall Dales|Dales]], an area of dry, sandy heathland overlooking the River Dee. It has the status of both [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]] (SSSI) and [[Local Nature Reserve]] (LNR). Within this SSSI lies 'the Dungeon', a small river valley cut into the hillside. A path connects the Dales to the Wirral Way and the coast. Other open areas also overlooking the Dee are the Beacons, and Poll Hill, which is the highest point on the Wirral Peninsula.
There are several areas of open space. The largest is the [[Heswall Dales|Dales]], an area of dry, sandy heathland overlooking the River Dee. It has the status of both [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]] (SSSI) and [[Local Nature Reserve]] (LNR). Within this SSSI lies 'the Dungeon', a small river valley cut into the hillside. A path connects the Dales to the Wirral Way and the coast. Other open areas also overlooking the Dee are the Beacons, and Poll Hill, which is the highest point on the Wirral Peninsula. Whitfield Common, off Whitfield Lane, contains open land as well as playing fields and tennis courts.

==Education==
Heswall is well served by St Peter's C of E, Gayton and Heswall Primary Schools.

[[Pensby High School]] is the local secondary school situated in nearby [[Pensby]].

===Heswall Primary School===
Heswall Primary School serves the local community of Heswall and surrounding areas on the Wirral Peninsula.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.schoolguide.co.uk/schools/heswall-primary-school-wirral |title=Heswall Primary School |website=SchoolGuide.co.uk |access-date=16 September 2019}}</ref> It opened in 1909.<ref name="McRonald">{{cite book |last=McRonald |first=Jenny |date=2007|title=The School on the Puddydale 1909–1982 |isbn=978-1901231885}}</ref> It was originally on the eastern edge of The Puddydale, opposite the Royal Liverpool Children's hospital on Telegraph Road (now converted into a local [[Tesco]]). The original building was demolished in 1982 after falling into disrepair. Prior to demolition, the juniors were moved to the current Whitfield Lane site in 1976 and the school became known as Whitfield Primary School. The infants joined the juniors in 1982, unifying the school on one site again – eventually becoming Heswall County Primary school.<ref name="McRonald"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heswall-primary.wirral.sch.uk/website/history_of_the_school/5789 |title=History of the School |publisher=Heswall Primary School |access-date=16 September 2019}}</ref>

The current Whitfield Lane site was formerly the location of the Beehive Dairy. The school has retained the Beehive logo in its school badge. The single form entry school has around 220 children on roll. Now known as Heswall Primary School, the school is surrounded by the Barnston fields and has its own field and wooded areas.


The school is the home of Wirral Science Under the Stars, an event run by the school that brings together science links in real life settings with education.<ref name="WG">{{cite news |last1=Marles |first1=Leigh |title=Wirral schools make the shortlist for the Educate Awards 2018 |url=https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/16988820.wirral-schools-make-the-shortlist-for-the-educate-awards-2018 |access-date=19 March 2019 |work=Wirral Globe |date=17 October 2018}}</ref>
The large grass area near the centre of town is known as the 'Puddydale'. In former years, Heswall County Primary School was situated on the eastern edge of the field, but has since been demolished.


==Transport==
==Transport==
[[File:Heswall bus station 1.JPG|thumb|Heswall bus station]]
===Rail===
Heswall bus station is owned and managed by [[Merseytravel]]; it consists of four stands. The main bus operators are [[Arriva North West]], [[Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire]], Al's Coaches, A2B Travel and Aintree Coachlines. Routes link the town with Liverpool, Birkenhead, Chester and West Kirby.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://bustimes.org/localities/heswall |website=bustimes.org |title=Heswall bus services |access-date=20 December 2024}}</ref>


[[Heswall railway station]] is a stop on the [[Borderlands Line]], which connects {{rws|Bidston}} with {{rws|Wrexham Central}}. Services are operated by [[Transport for Wales Rail|Transport for Wales]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Timetables |work=Transport for Wales |date=15 December 2024 |access-date=20 December 2024 |url=https://tfw.wales/service-status/timetables}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
! Station
! Operator
! Route
! Days of operation
|-
| [[Heswall railway station|Heswall]]
| [[Arriva Trains Wales]]
| [[Borderlands Line]] (Bidston-Wrexham Central)
| Monday-Sunday
|}


The town was also served by a [[Heswall railway station (Birkenhead Railway)|second railway station]] between 1886 and 1956; the [[Wirral Way]], a [[shared-use path]] linking {{rws|West Kirby}} and {{rws|Hooton}}, now passes through the town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wirral Way |work=Visit Cheshire |access-date=20 December 2024 |url=https://www.visitcheshire.com/things-to-do/wirral-way-p267151}}</ref>
===Bus===
Services operating in the Heswall area, as of December 2008:


==Media==
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC North West]] and [[ITV Granada]]. Television signals are received from the [[Winter Hill transmitting station|Winter Hill]] TV transmitter.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Winter_Hill |title=Full Freeview on the Winter Hill (Bolton, England) transmitter |publisher=UK Free TV |access-date=18 February 2024}}</ref> Heswall's close proximity to [[North Wales]] means that [[BBC Wales]] and [[ITV Cymru Wales]] can also be received from the [[Moel-y-Parc transmitting station|Moel-y-Parc]] TV transmitter.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Moel_Y_Parc |title=Full Freeview on the Moel-Y-Parc (Flintshire, Wales) transmitter|publisher=UK Free TV |access-date=18 February 2024}}</ref>
|-
! Number
! Route
! Operator
! Days of operation
|-
| '''22/24'''
| West Kirby-Chester
| [[Avon Buses]]
| Monday-Saturday
|-
| '''71/72'''
| Heswall-Liverpool
| [[First Chester & The Wirral]]
| Monday-Saturday
|-
| '''77'''
| Woodside-West Kirby
| [[Avon Buses]]
| Monday-Saturday
|-
| '''85'''
| Heswall-Mill Park
| [[Avon Buses]]
| Monday-Saturday
|-
| '''113'''
| Heswall-New Ferry
| [[A1A Travel]]
| Monday-Saturday evenings
|-
| '''166/167'''
| Heswall Shore-Heswall
| Eazibus
| Monday-Saturday
|-
| '''171'''
| Heswall-Birkenhead
| A2B Travel
| Sunday evenings
|-
| '''172'''
| Heswall-Birkenhead
| [[Avon Buses]] (Mon-Sat) and A2B Travel (Sun)
| Monday-Saturday mornings and Sunday evening
|-
| '''174'''
| Heswall-Lower Village
| Eazibus (M-F) and A2B Travel (Sat)
| Monday-Saturday
|-
| '''175'''
| Heswall-Irby
| Eazibus (M-F) and A2B Travel (Sat)
| Monday-Saturday
|-
| '''186'''
| Eastham Ferry-Leasowe
| [[Avon Buses]]
| Evenings and Sundays
|-
| '''272/273'''
| Hooton/Neston-Arrowe Park Hospital
| Helms Coaches (Mon-Sat daytime) and Eazibus (evenings and Sundays)
| Monday-Sunday
|-
| '''471'''
| Barnston-Liverpool
| [[Arriva North West]]
| Monday-Friday peak times
|-
| '''472'''
| Barnston/Heswall-Liverpool
| [[Arriva North West]]
| Monday-Saturday
|}


Local radio stations are [[BBC Radio Merseyside]], [[Capital North West & Wales]], [[Heart North West]], [[Smooth Radio North West]], [[Greatest Hits Radio Liverpool & The North West]], [[Hits Radio Liverpool]] and Wirral Wave Radio, a community-based station.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://wirralwave.co.uk/ |title=Wirral Wave Radio |access-date=18 February 2024}}</ref>
==Notable people==
===Births===
*[[Ian Astbury]], vocalist for rock band [[The Cult]].
*[[Ian Botham]], retired English [[cricketer]].
*[[Jim Bowen]], comedian and former presenter of darts game show ''[[Bullseye (UK game show)|Bullseye]]''.
*[[Paul Bracewell]], a [[Association football|football]] midfielder who played for Stoke City, Sunderland, Everton, Newcastle United, Fulham and England.
*[[Christian Furr]], the youngest artist to have officially painted Queen Elizabeth II.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.christianfurr.com/about.htm|title=Brief Biographical Information|publisher=christianfurr.com|accessdate=12 August 2007}}</ref>
*[[Andy McCluskey]], Lead singer of eighties pop band 'Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark' and founder of [[Atomic Kitten]]
*[[Scott Minto]], retired footballer.
*[[Philly Morris]], cancer survivor and founder of checkemlads.com [[testicular cancer]] charity.
*[[John Peel]], the late [[BBC Radio 1]] [[disc jockey]], radio presenter and music journalist.
*Anne Thelwell, won [[Miss United Kingdom]] in 1959.
*[[John Williams (motorcyclist)|John Williams]], a former [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing|Grand Prix]] rider.
*[[Dougal Wilson]], (born 1971) is a notable director of commercials and music videos.
*[[Ian Woan]], a football winger best known for his playing years at Nottingham Forest.
*Lewis Cornford, body builder and retired footballer representing Heswall FC up to U14's level.


The town's local newspapers are the ''[[Liverpool Echo]]'' and the Wirral Globe.
===Resident connections===

*[[Ringo Starr]] spent two years in Heswall's Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital when he contracted chronic [[pleurisy]] as a child.
== Sport ==
*In 1964, [[Paul McCartney]] bought "Rembrandt"; a detached mock-Tudor house in Baskervyle Road, Heswall, for his father, [[Jim and Mary McCartney|Jim McCartney]], which cost [[£]]8,750. Jim later moved to a bungalow nearby, and lived there until his death on 18 March 1976.<ref name="MilesPage210"> Miles 1997 p210.</ref><ref>{{citation|url=http://magicalbeatletours.com/tour_wirral.htm#rembrandt |title=Photo of Rembrandt |publisher=magicalbeatletours.com |accessdate=22 October 2007}}</ref>
[[Heswall F.C.]], founded in 1891, play at Gayton Park on Brimstage Road and competes in the [[West Cheshire Association Football League]].
*In 2009, [[Coldplay]] released their single [[Life in Technicolor II]] and featured doll sized mock-ups of themselves performing the single in front of an audience, mainly children in a church in Heswall. There is also a sign outside the church on the video mentioning 'Heswall Village Fete'

*The [[Coldplay]] video may have been inspired by the fact that in 1962 – The Beatles performed at Newton Dancing School, Village Hall, Thingwall Rd., Irby, Heswall, Wirral, Cheshire.
Heswall Lawn Tennis Club, based at Quarry Road East for over 100 years, competes in the Cheshire Lawn Tennis Association's Inter-Club League.
.<ref name="MilesPage210"> Miles 1997 p210.</ref><ref>{{citation|url=http://thebeatlesplace.com/september-7th-on-this-day-in-beatles-history|title=Beatles facts}}</ref>

Heswall Golf Club, on Cottage Lane, was founded in 1902 and has an 18-hole championship golf course.

== Cultural references ==
Heswall Flower Club is mentioned in the song "This One's For Now" by the band [[Half Man Half Biscuit]] on their 2014 album ''[[Urge For Offal]]''. Heswall Village Fete is the scene for [[Coldplay]]'s "[[Life in Technicolor II]]" music video.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2009/coldplay-life-in-technicolor-ii-puppet-show/ |title=Coldplay Life In Technicolor II Puppet Show |work=The Inspiration Room |first=Duncan |last=MacLeod |date=26 January 2009 |access-date=29 September 2018}}</ref> Heswall is the destination on the front of a bus in the 2014 [[John Lewis Partnership|John Lewis]] Christmas advert, 'Monty The Penguin'.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/11592169.Monty_the_Penguin_takes_a_ride_to_Heswall_in_John_Lewis_advert/ |title=Monty the Penguin takes a ride to Heswall in John Lewis advert |work=Wirral Globe |first=Emma |last=Rigby |access-date=29 September 2018}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* The singer [[Ian Astbury]], most famous for fronting the rock band [[The Cult]], was born in Heswall.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.live4ever.uk.com/2010/05/interview-ian-astbury-the-cult/ |title=Interview: Ian Astbury – The Cult |publisher=Live4Ever |date=10 May 2010 |access-date=25 October 2016}}</ref>
* Cricketer [[Ian Botham]] (Lord Botham) was born in Heswall.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/education/2007/12/15/fadet115.xml|title=Family detective: Sir Ian Botham|last=Barratt|first=Nick|work=Daily Telegraph |location=UK|date=15 December 2007|access-date=28 August 2009}}</ref>
* TV presenter [[Jim Bowen]] was born in Heswall.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishclassiccomedy.co.uk/jim-bowen-in-profile |title=Jim Bowen |publisher=British Classic Comedy |date=27 April 2014 |access-date=25 October 2016}}</ref>
* [[England national football team|England]], [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] and [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] footballer [[Paul Bracewell]] was born in Heswall.
* TV presenter [[Fiona Bruce]] was educated at Gayton Primary School in Heswall.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cheshirelife.co.uk/out-about/places/heswall_why_we_love_this_part_of_the_wirral_1_2963699 |title=Heswall – why we love this part of the Wirral |newspaper=Cheshire Life |first=Ray |last=King |date=5 November 2013 |access-date=25 October 2016}}</ref>
* [[Christian Furr]], the youngest artist to have officially painted Queen [[Elizabeth II]], was born in Heswall.<ref name="Ref_a">{{citation|url=http://www.christianfurr.com/about.htm |title=Brief Biographical Information |publisher=christianfurr.com |access-date=12 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070608195043/http://www.christianfurr.com/about.htm |archive-date=8 June 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Pianist [[Stephen Hough]] CBE is from Heswall.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/11218630.display/ |title=Wirral's most famous: You might be surprised who's on our list |first=Emma |last=Rigby |newspaper=Wirral Globe |date=16 May 2014 |access-date=4 November 2016}}</ref>
* [[Philip May]], husband of former Prime Minister [[Theresa May]], was brought up in Heswall and was a pupil at Heswall Primary School and Calday Grange Grammar School, in Caldy. The May family lived on Downham Road North for 16 years.
* In 1964, [[Paul McCartney]] bought ''Rembrandt'', a detached mock-Tudor house in Baskervyle Road, for his father, [[Personal relationships of Paul McCartney|Jim McCartney]], at a cost of £8,750. The senior McCartney later moved to a bungalow nearby and lived in Heswall until his death on 18 March 1976.<ref name="MilesPage210">{{Cite book |author-link=Barry Miles |last=Miles |first=Barry |title=[[Many Years From Now]] | publisher=[[Vintage (publisher)|Vintage]]-[[Random House]] |year=1997 |isbn=0-8050-5249-6 |page=[https://archive.org/details/paulmccartneyman00mile/page/210 210] }}</ref>
* Singer and bass guitarist [[Andy McCluskey]], co-founder of the [[Electronic music|electronic]] band [[Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark]] (OMD), was born in Heswall.
* [[Phil Morris (health activist)|Phil Morris MBE]], former soldier, double cancer survivor and winner of a [[David Cameron]] award for services to cancer awareness and support. Awarded an [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]] in the Queen's Birthday Honours 2021<ref>{{cite web|title=Philip MORRIS {{!}} Order of the British Empire |work= The Gazette|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/3818160|access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref>
* [[Hugh O'Leary]], accountant, husband of former [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|UK Prime Minister]] [[Liz Truss]]
* Disc jockey and broadcaster [[John Peel]] was born in Heswall.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Heatley|first=Michael|title=John Peel: A Life in Music|year=2004|publisher=Michael O'Mara Books Limited|isbn=1-84317-151-1}}</ref>
* [[Bill Steer]], British guitar player, and co-founder of the extreme metal band [[Carcass (band)|Carcass]], spent his teenage years living in Heswall,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bombshellzine.com/2015/04/the-hotseat-bill-steer-of-carcass/ |title=The Hotseat – Bill Steer of Carcass |publisher=bombshellzine.com |date=12 April 2015 |access-date=25 October 2016}}</ref> and went to Heswall Primary School on Whitfield Lane.
* [[John Williams (motorcyclist)|John Williams]] (27 May 1946 – 12 August 1978), English motorcycle short-circuit road racer who also entered selected Grands Prix, lived on Whitfield Lane, Heswall.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}}


==See also==
==See also==
*[[St Peter's Church, Heswall]]
* [[Listed buildings in Heswall]]


==References==
==Notes and references==
{{reflist|30em}}
===Notes===
{{reflist}}


===Bibliography===
==Further reading==
* {{cite book|title=Yesterday's Wirral No. 6: Neston, Parkgate and Heswall Including Thurstaston, Irby and Greasby|first=Ian|last=Boumphrey|publisher=Ian & Marilyn Boumphrey|year=1991|isbn=9780950725550|oclc=656102143}}
<div class="references-small">
* {{cite book | author=[[Barry Miles{{!}}Miles, Barry]] | title=[[Many Years From Now]] | publisher=[[Vintage (publisher)|Vintage]]-[[Random House]] | year=1997 |isbn=0-8050-5249-6}}
* {{cite book|title=Memories of Heswall: 1935–85|author=Heswall W.E.A.|publisher=Countyvise Ltd.|year=1989|isbn=9780907768272|oclc=21872503}}
* {{cite book|title=St. Peter's Church & Parish Heswall – A Short History and Guide|first=Rev. Canon Kenneth|last=Lee|publisher=Leeman Ltd.|year=1994|asin=B01AX0MOP0|asin-tld=co.uk}}
</div>
* {{cite book|title=Heswall Through Time|first=Jenny|last=McRonald|publisher=Amberley Publishing|year=2015|isbn=9781445636337|oclc=919299143}}
* {{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/n272/mode/2up|id=pp233-235}}
* {{cite book|title=Burton to Heswall|first=Pat|last=O'Brien|publisher=NPI Media Group|year=1996|isbn=9780752406282|oclc=37132972}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Heswall}}
* [http://www.Heswall.com Town website]
* [http://www.Heswall.com Town website]
* [http://www.lowervillage.co.uk/ LowerVillage.co.uk]
* [http://www.lowervillage.co.uk/ LowerVillage.co.uk] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050520084354/http://www.lowervillage.co.uk/ |date=20 May 2005 }}
* [http://www.wirral.gov.uk/er/heswallsssi.htm Heswall Dales SSSI]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060513052119/http://www.wirral.gov.uk/er/heswallsssi.htm Heswall Dales SSSI]
* [http://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/ Merseytravel]
* [http://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/ Merseytravel]
* [http://www.wirralway.org.uk/ Wirral community magazine]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090508235130/http://wirralway.org.uk/ Wirral community magazine]
* [http://www.heswallmagazine.co.uk/ Heswall Magazine]



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


{{authority control}}
[[Category:Towns and villages in Wirral]]
[[Category:Towns in Merseyside]]


[[Category:Towns and villages in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral]]
[[cy:Heswall]]
[[Category:Towns in Merseyside]]
[[it:Heswall]]
[[ro:Heswall]]
[[vo:Heswall]]

Latest revision as of 22:11, 20 December 2024

Heswall
Telegraph Road
Heswall is located in Merseyside
Heswall
Heswall
Location within Merseyside
Population13,401 (Ward)
(2011 Census)
OS grid referenceSJ269818
• London178 mi (286 km)[1] SE
Metropolitan borough
Metropolitan county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townWIRRAL
Postcode districtCH60 & CH61
Dialling code0151
ISO 3166 codeGB-WRL
PoliceMerseyside
FireMerseyside
AmbulanceNorth West
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Merseyside
53°19′41″N 3°05′56″W / 53.328°N 3.099°W / 53.328; -3.099

Heswall (/ˈhɛzwɔːl, -wʊl/) is a coastal town in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in Merseyside, England. It was historically part of Cheshire and is located on the Wirral Peninsula. In the 2011 Census, the population was 13,401; this figure included the nearby village of Gayton.[2]

History

[edit]

Early history

[edit]

Before the Norman Conquest, Heswall has been cited as a possible location for Dingesmere, mentioned with regard to the Battle of Brunanburh, in Egil's Saga. Heswall was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Eswelle, owned by Robert de Rodelent, who also owned much of the land on the eastern side of the River Dee. In 1277, it became the property of Patrick de Haselwall, who was Sheriff of Cheshire.

Development

[edit]

In 1801, the population was recorded as 168. By the census in 1841, it had grown to 398. Before 1897 it was known as Hestlewelle or Hesselwelle. Its growth was started by wealthy merchants from Liverpool; they had originally chosen it as a retreat, but the arrival of two railway connections allowed them to commute. One line is the Borderlands Line from Wrexham Central to Bidston which opened in 1896. This line is still active and has Heswall railway station on the eastern edge of the town. The station was formerly called Heswall Hills to distinguish it from the older, now demolished, Heswall station. The old station was in Station Road in the Lower Village on another line from West Kirby to Hooton. This opened in 1886 but the line closed to passengers in 1956. The track of the old railway became a footpath, the Wirral Way.

The speedy development of Heswall has seen the once separate villages of Gayton, Heswall, Pensby and Thingwall become joined by continuous housing.

Architecture

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The oldest structure is the tower of St Peter's Parish Church, which is about 500 years old. The present church was built in 1879, and is the third to have been built on the site. The previous church was destroyed[citation needed] by a violent thunderstorm on 19 September 1875; the organist and the boy who pumped the bellows for the organ were both killed.[3]

The remains of Gayton's windmill, which stopped operating in 1860 and is now converted into a house, can be seen close to the Devon Doorway pub-restaurant on Gayton Roundabout, a short distance back up Telegraph Road towards Heswall.

The Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital originally opened in Heswall as Liverpool Country Hospital for Children in 1909.[4] The hospital was situated on a 3.6 ha (9-acre) site purchased in 1900.[5] It stood on the opposite side of Telegraph Road from The Puddydale'’ and had a clock tower and grounds with views over the Dee estuary. The hospital closed in 1985[4][5] and there is now a Tesco supermarket on the site.[6] The supermarket was extended in the early 2000s, then refurbished during 2011.

Geography

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Located on the eastern side of the Dee Estuary, with views across the river to North Wales, Heswall is 13 miles from Chester and 10 miles from Liverpool (via the Queensway (Birkenhead) Tunnel or 56 miles (avoiding the tunnels). The towers of Liverpool's cathedrals can be seen on the horizon from the town.

Economy

[edit]

An affluent area, Heswall was listed as the seventh richest neighbourhood in the UK in 2001, with an average household income of £46,600.[7][needs update]

In 2022, the median house price in Heswall was £409,500, making it the most expensive in the Wirral area.[8]

Open spaces

[edit]
Heswall Dales, looking over the river Dee to North Wales

There are several areas of open space. The largest is the Dales, an area of dry, sandy heathland overlooking the River Dee. It has the status of both Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Local Nature Reserve (LNR). Within this SSSI lies 'the Dungeon', a small river valley cut into the hillside. A path connects the Dales to the Wirral Way and the coast. Other open areas also overlooking the Dee are the Beacons, and Poll Hill, which is the highest point on the Wirral Peninsula. Whitfield Common, off Whitfield Lane, contains open land as well as playing fields and tennis courts.

Education

[edit]

Heswall is well served by St Peter's C of E, Gayton and Heswall Primary Schools.

Pensby High School is the local secondary school situated in nearby Pensby.

Heswall Primary School

[edit]

Heswall Primary School serves the local community of Heswall and surrounding areas on the Wirral Peninsula.[9] It opened in 1909.[10] It was originally on the eastern edge of The Puddydale, opposite the Royal Liverpool Children's hospital on Telegraph Road (now converted into a local Tesco). The original building was demolished in 1982 after falling into disrepair. Prior to demolition, the juniors were moved to the current Whitfield Lane site in 1976 and the school became known as Whitfield Primary School. The infants joined the juniors in 1982, unifying the school on one site again – eventually becoming Heswall County Primary school.[10][11]

The current Whitfield Lane site was formerly the location of the Beehive Dairy. The school has retained the Beehive logo in its school badge. The single form entry school has around 220 children on roll. Now known as Heswall Primary School, the school is surrounded by the Barnston fields and has its own field and wooded areas.

The school is the home of Wirral Science Under the Stars, an event run by the school that brings together science links in real life settings with education.[12]

Transport

[edit]
Heswall bus station

Heswall bus station is owned and managed by Merseytravel; it consists of four stands. The main bus operators are Arriva North West, Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire, Al's Coaches, A2B Travel and Aintree Coachlines. Routes link the town with Liverpool, Birkenhead, Chester and West Kirby.[13]

Heswall railway station is a stop on the Borderlands Line, which connects Bidston with Wrexham Central. Services are operated by Transport for Wales.[14]

The town was also served by a second railway station between 1886 and 1956; the Wirral Way, a shared-use path linking West Kirby and Hooton, now passes through the town.[15]

Media

[edit]

Local news and television programmes are provided by BBC North West and ITV Granada. Television signals are received from the Winter Hill TV transmitter.[16] Heswall's close proximity to North Wales means that BBC Wales and ITV Cymru Wales can also be received from the Moel-y-Parc TV transmitter.[17]

Local radio stations are BBC Radio Merseyside, Capital North West & Wales, Heart North West, Smooth Radio North West, Greatest Hits Radio Liverpool & The North West, Hits Radio Liverpool and Wirral Wave Radio, a community-based station.[18]

The town's local newspapers are the Liverpool Echo and the Wirral Globe.

Sport

[edit]

Heswall F.C., founded in 1891, play at Gayton Park on Brimstage Road and competes in the West Cheshire Association Football League.

Heswall Lawn Tennis Club, based at Quarry Road East for over 100 years, competes in the Cheshire Lawn Tennis Association's Inter-Club League.

Heswall Golf Club, on Cottage Lane, was founded in 1902 and has an 18-hole championship golf course.

Cultural references

[edit]

Heswall Flower Club is mentioned in the song "This One's For Now" by the band Half Man Half Biscuit on their 2014 album Urge For Offal. Heswall Village Fete is the scene for Coldplay's "Life in Technicolor II" music video.[19] Heswall is the destination on the front of a bus in the 2014 John Lewis Christmas advert, 'Monty The Penguin'.[20]

Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Coordinate Distance Calculator". boulter.com. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  2. ^ UK Census (2011). "Local Area Report – Heswall (ward) (E05000962)". Nomis. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Deaths by Lightning". Morning Post. 21 September 1875. Retrieved 6 July 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive. On Sunday night during a thunderstorm lightning struck the tower of Heswall church, eight miles from Birkenhead, killing the organist, named Heveraux, a young man assisting him, and injuring some other persons.
  4. ^ a b Children's Hospitals: Liverpool Infirmary for Children, E. Chambré Hardman Archive, archived from the original on 13 October 2007, retrieved 23 February 2008
  5. ^ a b "Hospitals in Heswall". Heswall Magazine. April 2010. p.24. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  6. ^ "Heswall - why we love this part of the Wirral". 5 November 2013.
  7. ^ Dodd, Vikram (15 January 2001). "South's rich areas get richer". The Guardian. London.
  8. ^ McGrath, Rebecca (30 June 2022). "Most expensive, busiest and trendiest parts of Wirral to buy a house revealed". Wirral Globe.
  9. ^ "Heswall Primary School". SchoolGuide.co.uk. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  10. ^ a b McRonald, Jenny (2007). The School on the Puddydale 1909–1982. ISBN 978-1901231885.
  11. ^ "History of the School". Heswall Primary School. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  12. ^ Marles, Leigh (17 October 2018). "Wirral schools make the shortlist for the Educate Awards 2018". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  13. ^ "Heswall bus services". bustimes.org. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  14. ^ "Timetables". Transport for Wales. 15 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  15. ^ "Wirral Way". Visit Cheshire. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  16. ^ "Full Freeview on the Winter Hill (Bolton, England) transmitter". UK Free TV. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  17. ^ "Full Freeview on the Moel-Y-Parc (Flintshire, Wales) transmitter". UK Free TV. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  18. ^ "Wirral Wave Radio". Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  19. ^ MacLeod, Duncan (26 January 2009). "Coldplay Life In Technicolor II Puppet Show". The Inspiration Room. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  20. ^ Rigby, Emma. "Monty the Penguin takes a ride to Heswall in John Lewis advert". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  21. ^ "Interview: Ian Astbury – The Cult". Live4Ever. 10 May 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  22. ^ Barratt, Nick (15 December 2007). "Family detective: Sir Ian Botham". Daily Telegraph. UK. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  23. ^ "Jim Bowen". British Classic Comedy. 27 April 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  24. ^ King, Ray (5 November 2013). "Heswall – why we love this part of the Wirral". Cheshire Life. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  25. ^ Brief Biographical Information, christianfurr.com, archived from the original on 8 June 2007, retrieved 12 August 2007
  26. ^ Rigby, Emma (16 May 2014). "Wirral's most famous: You might be surprised who's on our list". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  27. ^ Miles, Barry (1997). Many Years From Now. Vintage-Random House. p. 210. ISBN 0-8050-5249-6.
  28. ^ "Philip MORRIS | Order of the British Empire". The Gazette. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  29. ^ Heatley, Michael (2004). John Peel: A Life in Music. Michael O'Mara Books Limited. ISBN 1-84317-151-1.
  30. ^ "The Hotseat – Bill Steer of Carcass". bombshellzine.com. 12 April 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2016.

Further reading

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[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Heswall.
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