Moreton, Merseyside
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Moreton | |
  Moreton shown within Merseyside |
|
| Population | 17,670 2001 Census[1] |
|---|---|
| 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 | CH46 |
| Dialling code | 0151 67* |
| Police | Merseyside |
| Fire | Merseyside |
| Ambulance | North West |
| European Parliament | North West England |
| UK Parliament | Wallasey |
| List of places: UK • England • Merseyside | |
Moreton is a town on the north coast of the Wirral Peninsula, Merseyside, England. In the 2001 Census, it had a population of 17,670 (8,370 males, 9,300 females).[1] From 2004, the town was divided between the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral wards of Leasowe & Moreton East and Moreton West & Saughall Massie.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
The coast at Moreton is part of a stretch of sand that runs from Meols to Leasowe known as Mockbeggar Wharf, named after Mockbeggar Hall, otherwise known as Leasowe Castle. (The name Mockbeggar apparently being an old sailors' term for a lone house). The North Wirral Coastal Park also runs for four miles along this coast, including public open space, common land, natural foreshore and sand-dunes. The park provides for a wide variety of recreational activities; some of the more popular being sailing, sea angling, swimming, cycling, picnicking, walking, jogging, ball games, bird watching and horse riding.
The low-lying land behind the coast is protected by a large concrete embankment. Some of the coastal land is in the Moreton Conservation Area and provides important natural habitat. The embankment gives a good view at low tide to see a variety of wading birds. There are also good views of the Bidston Hill, Caldy Hill, the Welsh Hills, and out over the Irish Sea.
[edit] Community
Because of the sandbanks just offshore, Leasowe Lighthouse was built in 1763 and is the oldest brick-built lighthouse in Britain.[2][3] It has been restored and is open to the public at times.
Moreton is also known for being the home of the Burton's factory, producer of Cadbury's biscuits and now owned by Duke Street Capital. Manor Bakeries, the former Cadbury's cakes department, (now owned by Premier Foods Group) is located in the town at Reeds Lane, near to Leasowe railway station.
[edit] Transport
Moreton railway station, on the Wirral Line of the Merseyrail network, is served by electric trains to Liverpool, Birkenhead and West Kirby.
Moreton witnessed the world's first commercial passenger and mail hovercraft service. The service ran from Leasowe to Rhyl and commenced 20 July 1962. However, due to varying reasons including bad weather and technical difficulties the service was cancelled after its final journey on 14 September 1962.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Wirral 2001 Census: Moreton. Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. Retrieved on 14 January 2008.
- ^ Leasowe Lighthouse. visitwirral.com. Retrieved on 14 January 2008.
- ^ Leasowe Lighthouse: A Wirral Highlight. Friends of Leasowe Lighthouse. Retrieved on 14 January 2008.
