Bidston Observatory

Built in 1866, following re-​location from the Liverpool waterfront, and readily recognisable by its twin white-​domes (each of which used to house an astronomical telescope) the Observatory later became the basis of the Liverpool Tidal Institute; later re-​named the Proudman Oceanographic Institute — a research centre of international importance. Although now decommissioned, and with the buildings’ future itself uncertain, it’s still a fascinating place to wander around outside (the doors being locked to discourage vandalism). The Observatory has also been the scene of tragedy; on 21 April 1892 its then director, John Hartnup Jnr, fell off the roof and died while taking meteorological readings. Take time out to explore the rocks nearby, some of which retain carvings from Wirral’s Norse occupation ca. 1000 AD. Visitors should look out for a four and a half foot long carving (interpreted as being a ‘Sun Goddess’) carved into the flat rock north-​east of the Observatory — its location supposedly chosen to face the direction of the rising sun on midsummer’s day. Meanwhile, Just north of the Observatory, there’s another ancient carving of a horse cut into the bare rock, which you can find just before the path turns down to Bidston Village. More recent rock carvings are also visible on the vertical rock face south of the Observatory. The low wall at the base of the hill, skirting the wood, and running between the Observatory and the windmill, is actually a medieval boundary wall. (known as the ‘Penny-​A –Day Dyke’) constructed in 1407 as part of a deer park intended for private hunting.