Woodside, Merseyside
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Woodside is a locality in Birkenhead, Wirral, Merseyside, England, situated almost opposite Liverpool Pier Head across the River Mersey.
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[edit] Transport
On 29 August 1860, Europe's first tramway was established, running from Woodside to Birkenhead Park. This early system was horse-drawn and was the brainchild of flamboyant American, George Francis Train. [1] [2] A preserved tram is currently on display in the Woodside Ferry booking hall.
Woodside is one of two Wirral terminals for the Mersey Ferry to the Pier Head in Liverpool. By the end of 1985, the historic booking hall had been extensively refurbished and the large, dilapidated Victorian landing stage replaced with the current facility.
Originally built by the Great Western Railway in the 1870s, Birkenhead Woodside railway station was a mainline terminus, with services direct to London Paddington. Since its closure and subsequent demolition, the nearest railway station to Woodside is Merseyrail's Hamilton Square station.
Beginning with the closure of Woodside railway station in 1967 and the subsequent construction of the new Birkenhead Bus Station in the late 1990s, the importance of Woodside as a major transport hub has declined. Although, numerous local bus services still use the terminus and seasonal tram services are occasionally run between the site and nearby Wirral Transport Museum.
[edit] Historic buildings
[edit] Mersey Ferries Booking Hall
A wooden construction on brick foundations, the 1864 booking hall is a listed building, which was extensively refurbished in 1985 in the existing style, with many of the original timbers being replaced. [3]
The formerly adjoining terminal building behind, of a similar construction, was demolished and replaced, due to poor condition. The passenger bridge and landing stage were also replaced at the same time.
The building houses a cafeteria, shop, transport memorabilia and a bookings office for the Mersey Ferries.
[edit] Woodside Hotel
Built in about 1834, Woodside Hotel was a busy coaching house and originally had stabling for 100 horses. [4] Until land reclamation works in the mid 19th century, the hotel was situated on the riverbank. [3]
The hotel was extended in 1963 with a new lounge "Gough's Landing", named after a 19th century licensee. [5]
[edit] Shore Road Pumping Station
The building is now part of Wirral Museum. It is home to the "Giant Grasshopper" engine, a working example of a giant steam pump built in the 1870s, which used to clear water from the Mersey Railway Tunnel.[6]
[edit] Gallery
 Woodside Ferry Terminal booking hall in 2006 |
 Royal Iris of the Mersey departing Woodside Ferry |
[edit] Trivia
- Scenes from the 1981 film Chariots of Fire were shot on the passenger bridge and landing stage at Woodside Ferry, to represent 1920s Dover. [7]
[edit] References
- ^ Brocklebank, Ralph T. "Birkenhead - An Illustrated History", Breedon Books, 2003.
- ^ http://www.wirral.gov.uk/ed/birkenhead_tramway.htm
- ^ a b Maund, TB. "Mersey Ferries - Volume 1", Transport Publishing Co. Ltd., 1991.
- ^ Bidston, Carol E. "Birkenhead... Of Yesteryear", Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, 1985.
- ^ Boumphrey. "Yesterday's Wirral", 1981.
- ^ http://www.wirral.gov.uk/ed/shore_road_pumping_station.htm
- ^ *Chariots of Fire - Where Did They Film That?
