Car Hire Birkenhead - Mini guide to Birkenhead

Birkenhead, a vibrant town on the River Mersey opposite Liverpool, is home to the famous Mersey Ferries, Tranmere Rovers Football Club, the first Public Park in Europe and the magnificent Hamilton Square.

The Birkenhead heritage trail leads around the waterfront with lovely views of the Liver Buildings across the water to Liverpool. Kids can learn about transport history while enjoying rides on the trams or visiting Egerton Bridge and the Shore Road Pump House. There are also historic warships to be toured. For splendid views climb St Mary's Tower next to Birkenhead's 850-year-old Priory.

Birkenhead owes its roots to an ancient priory built on a headland jutting out into the Mersey, bounded by Wallasey and Tranmere Pools. The Birkenhead dock area and Hamilton Quarter have been rejuvenated with many tourist innovations. Late Georgian and early Victorian architecture can be discovered in Hamilton Square. The relics of a 12th century Benedictine monastery are real gems and worth exploring.

With the biggest under cover market in the country and two magnificent shopping centres, Birkenhead offers all the diversity of big city shopping with that hometown feel. There is a huge selection of restaurants from 'eateries' to international cuisine. Birkenhead Park is a hugely popular place with joggers and cyclists and houses two cricket clubs, tennis courts, a bowling green and football pitches. The lakes are also popular for fishing.

From Museums to funfairs the Merseyside region caters for many tastes. Just across the Mersey River is Liverpool – visit Albert Dock, home to the Tate Liverpool and Merseyside Maritime Museum, as well as dozens of fashionable shops, restaurants and pubs. Knowsley Safari Park has become one of Merseyside's premier leisure attractions. Although the main attraction of the park is the Safari Drive, other attractions include the Sea Lion and Parrot show, the Reptile House and the Children's Farm.

Trains leave from Birkenhead North Station to London Euston Station every half hour (duration 3.5 hours). Most routes go via Liverpool Lime Street Station. Liverpool Airport is within 13 km of Birkenhead.