Halewood Heritage Walk
Prior to the
Industrial Revolution, Halewood changed little over the centuries.
In the 1700s it had a cottage industry of weaving, four tool
and parts makers, two tanneries and two alehouses, the
Cock and Trumpet and the Eagle and Child. The area remained
predominantly rural until the mid 19th century and the introduction
of the railway. From the mid 1950s onwards, large housing
estates including tower blocks were built, and the population had
increased ten-fold by the 1970s. In 1963 the Ford Motor
Company came to Halewood and production began with the Ford Anglia;
the very first car off the production line has been preserved at
Liverpool Museum.
Halewood also boasts a pet cemetery on Higher Road with over 560
graves. One of the earliest dates from 1922 and commemorates a cat
called ‘Bonar’. The largest grave is for ‘Blackie’, a horse
who served in the Royal Artillery during the First World War.
The route:
- The first railway station in Halewood opened in May 1874 and
was situated in Bailey's Lane. It was reached by a ramp close to
the Derby Arms. The opening of the railway gave local residents not
only the opportunity to travel but also a wider choice of
occupations other than farming. The old station closed in the
1950s but the cottages built for the early railway workers can
still be seen.
- The Derby Arms public house we see today was built in the
1930s, but the original was built over 100 years ago. There was a
field at the back of the pub that served as a venue for
celebrations such as Empire Day and for days out by parties of
children from Liverpool coming to enjoy the
countryside.
- Hollies Cottage has had a variety of uses. It was formerly a
blacksmiths and a private school run by a Miss Hilton and Miss
Hancock. They were the aunts of William Grace who ran Court Farm.
The school was attended by the children of wealthy parents who
would take their children to school in a pony and trap.
At one time there was also a weighbridge situated
here.
- The Eagle and Child built around 1750, is believed to be one of
the oldest buildings in the village. It has been greatly altered
but some of the original building remains. The Crosby family ran
the pub for many years and also ran the adjacent blacksmiths and
coffin makers.
- These four late C19 black and white Tudor style cottages retain
much of their original character. Number 1 was once the home of
Misses Alice and Lizzie Jump, former teachers in
Halewood.
- Court Farm Wood is a public green space occupying the former
site of Court Farm. Of interest is the pond and old wall. Follow
the footpath sign for Cartbridge Lane.
- St. Nicholas Church was built from sandstone from Woolton
and Huyton quarries and opened in 1839. It is Grade II listed in
the Gothic style with 21 stained glass windows, 17 of which were
designed by William Morris. The church was altered in 1841
and the tower with bells was added in 1883. The churchyard contains
the graves of many notable people including William Imrie of the
White Star Shipping Line, owners of the Titanic.The rectory at the
back of the church has a late Georgian frontage with its original
patterned windows.
- In 1842 St. Nicholas Church school was opened at a cost £300 on
land given by Lord Derby. In 1847 a second school was built so boys
and girls could be taught separately. Originally lit by
candles, then paraffin lamps, it wasn’t until the 1920s that they
were wired up for electricity. The school closed in 1989 and was
converted to residential properties. A former pupil was John Hilton
Grace, born on 21st May 1873. After going to Cambridge University
to study mathematics he found fame as a mathematician. He died in
1953 and is buried in the family grave at St. Nicholas
Church.
- The land for the Hilton Grace Recreation Ground was donated by
William Grace who ran Court Farm in memory of his son who died in a
punting accident whilst at Cambridge University.