In this regular La Vida Liverpool feature, guest writer and historian David Hearn educates us on some fascinating local history. With a wealth of knowledge, David gives talks and walking tours on subjects such as the history of Liverpool, wars, slavery, maritime, Liverpool’s links with America and more. In this feature he talks us through the Wirral gem that is Hamilton Sqauare….
There are a number of places on the Wirral that can rightfully be referred to as “gems” and surely one of those has to be Hamilton Square in Birkenhead, a square that would not look out of space in any of the smarter areas of London or Edinburgh. Indeed, the square was designed by James Gillespie Graham — the Edinburgh architect who designed St Andrew’s Cathedral in Glasgow and elements of Edinburgh’s New Town.
Hamilton Square was envisaged by William Laird as the first step in the creation of an important and sophisticated town centre for Birkenhead. The name, Hamilton, comes from the maiden name of his mother in law and his wife’s brother William Hamilton who was one of Laird’s business partners.
In Hamilton Square there are 61 properties listed by Historic England as Grade I — the highest level of rating meaning that they are “of exceptional interest”. Only Trafalgar Square in London has more Grade I Listed Buildings.
When the square was laid out a space was intentionally left on the East side for Birkenhead’s Town Hall to be built. Although work started on Hamilton Square in 1825 it would not be until 1883 that work started on the Town Hall. The Town hall is a fitting addition to the square and is, itself, listed Grade II* meaning that it is a “particularly important building of more than special interest”.
Hamilton Square is also home to both Lionel Budden’s First World War Grade II* Listed memorial which is 100 years old this year and the dramatic modern war memorial created by Jim Whelan dedicated to the 88 “Old Boys” of Birkenhead Institute who died in the First World War.
In the centre of the square is a memorial to Queen Victoria designed by Edmund Kirby in the style of an Eleanor Cross and unveiled in 1905 just two years after the gardens were bought by the council from the owners of the properties who previously enjoyed them as a private garden.
It is fitting that there is a statue to John Laird, first Member of Parliament for Birkenhead and the owner of 63 Hamilton Square, on the West side of the square. The square has many other memorials and it is a fitting place for them with its many trees, shrubs and a general air of calm.
Built in 1886 and on the edge of Hamilton Square is the station that takes its name from the square and was one of the first two – James Street being the other – that were the first deep underground stations in the world and the first two stations linked by a railway tunnel under a river.
The building of Hamilton Square was started 200 years ago this year and has the solid appearance of properties that will last another 200 years, although there are some empty properties it is difficult to see that these will reman empty for long if they came on the market.
TO BOOK A HISTORY TALK OR WALKING TOUR WITH DAVID CONTACT HIM ON 07739386367
Follow David on Twitter @thedustyteapot
