Heswall
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Heswall | |
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| Population | 16,012 (Total), 7,474 (Male), 8,538 (Female)[1] |
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| OS grid reference | |
| Metropolitan borough | Metropolitan Borough of Wirral |
| Metropolitan county | Merseyside |
| Region | North West |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | WIRRAL |
| Postcode district | CH60 |
| Dial code | 0151 342 |
| Police | Merseyside |
| Fire | Merseyside |
| Ambulance | North West |
| UK Parliament | Wirral South |
| European Parliament | North West England |
| List of places: UK • England • Merseyside | |
Heswall is a town on the Wirral Peninsula, Merseyside, England. Before Local Government reorganisation in 1974, it was part of the county of Cheshire, but has since been part of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral.
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[edit] About Heswall
It is a thriving community of approximately 30,922 residents and 300 businesses. There are two main parts to Heswall - the busy, bustling "top" village with a wide variety of shops and numerous restaurants/take-aways, and the quieter and quaint lower village, which is protected by a conservation order.
[edit] Location
Heswall is a town situated in Merseyside, on the eastern side of the Dee Estuary. Parts have views across the estuary to North Wales. The town about 30 minutes' drive from the Roman town of Chester and about 20 minutes' drive from Liverpool. On a clear day the cathedral spires of Liverpool can be seen on the horizon from some upper parts of the town.
Heswall has two parts: upper and lower. The commercial upper part is centred at the junction of Telegraph Road and Pensby Road. Lower Heswall village is a short distance away. It is quieter and is a conservation area.
[edit] History
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.
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 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 Cleaver Sanatorium opened in 1903 for children suffering from tuberculosis. The Sanatorium was well known for having no windows in the wards as it was believed at the time that this would help cure the ill children of the disease. It later became a general hospital. 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 former hospital site is now occupied by a Tesco supermarket, with the original Hospital clock incorporated within the building.
[edit] Open spaces
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.
The large grass area near the centre of town is known as the "Puddydale". In former years there was an infant and junior school on the northern edge of the field (since demolished).
