Birkenhead Priory & St Mary'S Tower

Birkenhead Priory stand at Tam O Shanter’s ’Easter Extravaganza’ TODAY. Come down and say Hello!

Birkenhead Priory will have a stand at Tam O Shanter’s Urban Farm’s ‘Easter Extravaganza’ today. You can purchase our new books, learn all about upcoming events and why you need to visit us. Pop in and say Hello.

TWO new fascinating guide books now available for Birkenhead Priory - an adult version and a child friendly version with wonderful illustrations bringing to life the story of Birkenhead Priory and the ‘black monks’ who lived here from 1150 onwards and provided the very first ferry across the Mersey. Books can be purchased for £5.00 each and are available at Birkenhead Priory and Williamson Art Gallery. Nearly 900 years of Birkenhead history in one book! Ideal as gifts and to use for study/homework/local history projects.

Join us in the beautiful Refectory of Birkenhead Priory (circa 1150) on SATURDAY 27th APRIL from 1pm to 3pm to celebrate World Book Night 2019: - Receive a FREE copy of ‘Himself’ by Jess Kidd. - ‘Davy Edge’, actor, musician, writer & poet will be reading from his latest collection, ... ‘Poems From The Midnight’. - ‘Graham West’, author of the successful ‘Mosswood’ trilogy will be sharing his experience of the writing process. - Live acoustic guitar from ‘Mellowmoods’. - Fun Quiz & Refreshments. Please note that there is no wheelchair access to the Refectory (stairs).
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Please vote for us.

We’re very happy to announce that our first ‘Easter Egg Hunt & Craft Weekend’ welcomed nearly 700 very well behaved, enthusiastic children & families to the Birkenhead Priory site. Children were provided with a map with clues; certificates (if they completed the hunt); Easter card making & crafts in the beautiful Refectory plus face painting & refreshments. In spite of the cold and windy weather, lots of fun and learning was had by all. Thank you for supporting this wonderful event so wholeheartedly.

THIS WEEKEND at the Birkenhead Priory site - A FREE Easter Egg Hunt with maps & clues, Easter Card making in the Refectory (cost applies), Face-painting and Refreshments. Climb St Mary’s Tower for stunning views. Saturday & Sunday 13th/14th April from 11 - 3pm. See you there.

A beautiful sunny day at Birkenhead Priory today. Whilst we were busy preparing for our upcoming ‘Easter Egg Hunt & Crafts Weekend’, I found time to take a few photographs of the stunning stained glass windows in the Chapter House, the oldest standing building on Merseyside (c 1150), the ‘Smit Belgie’ tug that is nearly ready to leave Dry Dock 4 in Cammell Laird shipyards next door and the impressive ’Red Kestrel’. (The beautiful stained glass in the altar of the Chapter House is by Ninian Comper from 1919 and depicts the story of Birkenhead Priory).

Check out the website for information about what's going on this weekend

THIS WEEKEND at the Birkenhead Priory site - A FREE Easter Egg Hunt with maps & clues, Easter Card making in the Refectory (cost applies), Face-painting and Refreshments. Saturday and Sunday 13th & 14th April from 11 - 3pm. See you there.

Some photos taken early this morning of beautiful Birkenhead Priory, Hamilton Square, Woodside Ferry station, Cammel Laird shipyards & the Liverpool city coastline waking up from the top of St Marys Tower. Dry Dock Five is empty now waiting for a new vessel and Dry Dock Four is holding a Dutch ‘Smit’ tug for a few weeks while work is being completed on her. Bathing in the sun today.

Don’t forget to visit thebirkenheadpriory.org for information about this stunning, nearly 900 year old site and to find out about all of the exciting events and experiences that we have lined up for you in 2019. There’s also a direct link to the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards site so that you can vote for us as we’ve been nominated in the ‘Hidden Gem’ category. Thanking you in advance.

Please vote for us. We’re very pleased to say that Birkenhead Priory has been nominated in the ‘Hidden Gem’ category of the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards. Instructions on how to vote are below.
https://www.liverpoollep.org/…/tourism- awards-to-crown-reg…/

Please vote for us

Went today haven t been for years the work done to the Priory has totally enhanced the building beautiful and still retains the atmosphere. The craft fair was one of the best I have been to. The talents displayed were beautiful and a credit to their creators, good prices a pleasure to attend thanks to the organizers.

Well I am ashamed to say that despite living nearby, I have never visited Birkenhead Priory before today. Today I was lucky enough to go as a parent helper with my son's school and It is definitely worth a visit.,The volunteers were so friendly and knowledgeable and had a whole host of interesting activities planned for the children which kept them engaged the whole day. It's a fascinating site steeped in local history and well worth a climb of the 100+ steps of the tower to see the fabulous views from the top. The Chapel is beautiful and has such a peaceful atmosphere with stunning stained glass windows. Thanks for a fabulous day. Will definitely be back with the family,

We revisited the priory for the first time in almost 30 years on Sunday and it's fabulous. The volunteers are an enthusiastic gang of information and knowledge. The HMS Conway museum is superb. The views across the Mersey from the top of the tower are stunning. Well worth a visit.

We got married here last Saturday,and it was so personal and sentimental to me.The chapel and grounds are just so beautiful with tons of history.we were married by Rev Dallas Ayling and there was ample opportunity to have some amazing photos taken around the grounds x

Very enjoyable and interesting visit with the family today. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff/volunteers who clearly have a lot of passion and enjoyment for their work. A hidden gem, and very much enjoyed the Tower with its respectful remembrance to the souls who perished in the Thetis incident. Great views of Liverpool from the top so well worth a visit.

This has to be the most outstanding historical site on the Wirral. Missed by so many who visit Liverpool, that should be corrected being so close to Woodside. What impressed me most about this place is the tranquility, yet climbing up into the tower gives the most amazing view of Liverpool. Hope it continues to be preserved.

Stunning place glad I was able to visit on Sunday before returning home to Glasgow. I even climbed the tower even though I'm somewhat scared of heights. Spectacular view.

Live nearby and had never visited this place before. What a hidden gem! Tony and the other volunteers gave a friendly and knowledgeable welcome to this fascinating piece of local history. The kids loved climbing the steps up the tower and ringing the bell at the top. Stunning views from the tower and really interesting to find out all about the Priory. We'll be back!

Even though I don't live that far away, I'd never been before. So glad I went now, it's well worth a visit. I had a German visitor with me who was well impressed.

Amazing place tucked away with wonderful architecture and a secret treasure - prehistoric creature's footprints from 220 million years ago! Go and see!

Amazing and Spiritual Place.

The oldest Buildings On Merseyside.

An Architecturally Wonderful Chapel and Tower.

A Founder Member of Cammell Laird, John Lard, is buried Here.

Parking is good, round the back.



The Staff are Excellent, and Kind.



The Benedictine Monastery should be open 7/7.



Contact if you would like to see this as well.



An important and spiritual site. Thank you.

A wonderful experience listening to carols in such a beautiful setting. We are so lucky having this historic gem on our door step.

A small place with a big history- well worth a visit to explore the new interpretation and restoration - a secret gem of Merseyside

A hidden jewel in the heart of the Birkenhead Docklands. A beautiful and inspirational site with oodles of fascinating history going all the way back to the early medieval period. The staff and dedicated volunteers are knowledgable, approachable and always on hand to have a chat. Take a picnic, and make a day of it, you won't regret it.

Went today haven t been for years the work done to the Priory has totally enhanced the building beautiful and still retains the atmosphere. The craft fair was one of the best I have been to. The talents displayed were beautiful and a credit to their creators, good prices a pleasure to attend thanks to the organizers.

Well I am ashamed to say that despite living nearby, I have never visited Birkenhead Priory before today. Today I was lucky enough to go as a parent helper with my son's school and It is definitely worth a visit.,The volunteers were so friendly and knowledgeable and had a whole host of interesting activities planned for the children which kept them engaged the whole day. It's a fascinating site steeped in local history and well worth a climb of the 100+ steps of the tower to see the fabulous views from the top. The Chapel is beautiful and has such a peaceful atmosphere with stunning stained glass windows. Thanks for a fabulous day. Will definitely be back with the family,

We revisited the priory for the first time in almost 30 years on Sunday and it's fabulous. The volunteers are an enthusiastic gang of information and knowledge. The HMS Conway museum is superb. The views across the Mersey from the top of the tower are stunning. Well worth a visit.

We got married here last Saturday,and it was so personal and sentimental to me.The chapel and grounds are just so beautiful with tons of history.we were married by Rev Dallas Ayling and there was ample opportunity to have some amazing photos taken around the grounds x

Very enjoyable and interesting visit with the family today. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff/volunteers who clearly have a lot of passion and enjoyment for their work. A hidden gem, and very much enjoyed the Tower with its respectful remembrance to the souls who perished in the Thetis incident. Great views of Liverpool from the top so well worth a visit.

This has to be the most outstanding historical site on the Wirral. Missed by so many who visit Liverpool, that should be corrected being so close to Woodside. What impressed me most about this place is the tranquility, yet climbing up into the tower gives the most amazing view of Liverpool. Hope it continues to be preserved.

Stunning place glad I was able to visit on Sunday before returning home to Glasgow. I even climbed the tower even though I'm somewhat scared of heights. Spectacular view.

Live nearby and had never visited this place before. What a hidden gem! Tony and the other volunteers gave a friendly and knowledgeable welcome to this fascinating piece of local history. The kids loved climbing the steps up the tower and ringing the bell at the top. Stunning views from the tower and really interesting to find out all about the Priory. We'll be back!

Even though I don't live that far away, I'd never been before. So glad I went now, it's well worth a visit. I had a German visitor with me who was well impressed.

Amazing place tucked away with wonderful architecture and a secret treasure - prehistoric creature's footprints from 220 million years ago! Go and see!

Amazing and Spiritual Place.

The oldest Buildings On Merseyside.

An Architecturally Wonderful Chapel and Tower.

A Founder Member of Cammell Laird, John Lard, is buried Here.

Parking is good, round the back.



The Staff are Excellent, and Kind.



The Benedictine Monastery should be open 7/7.



Contact if you would like to see this as well.



An important and spiritual site. Thank you.

A wonderful experience listening to carols in such a beautiful setting. We are so lucky having this historic gem on our door step.

A small place with a big history- well worth a visit to explore the new interpretation and restoration - a secret gem of Merseyside

A hidden jewel in the heart of the Birkenhead Docklands. A beautiful and inspirational site with oodles of fascinating history going all the way back to the early medieval period. The staff and dedicated volunteers are knowledgable, approachable and always on hand to have a chat. Take a picnic, and make a day of it, you won't regret it.