Sefton
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about Sefton from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover your local listed buildings and places
Introducing some of Sefton's most historic sites, included in the National Heritage List for England. Some of these captions have been summarised by AI. Click through for the official List entry.
Former Bootle Borough Hospital, including mortuary chapel…
Bootle
Former borough hospital, now laboratories and offices, 1870-2 with additional wing of 1885-7, both by C.O. Ellison.
Ince Blundell Park
Ince Blundell
Ince Blundell Park, developed by Henry Blundell from the 1760s to 1786, features historic gardens, parkland, late 18th-century buildings, and sculptures reflecting Blundell's artistic...
Raven Meols Farm
Formby
Raven Meols Farm, also known as Kew Farmhouse, is a historic farmhouse from 1733 with roughcast walls and a stone slate roof.
Church of St Andrew
Bootle
Anglican church, built in 1903-1904 to the design of the Liverpool architectural practice Willink and Thicknesse in Free Perpendicular Gothic style.
Broom's Cross wayside cross, 150m north east of Orchard H…
Thornton
Wayside crosses, medieval Christian markers from the 9th-15th centuries, guided travelers. Many remain in southwest England.
King's Gardens and South Marine Gardens
Sefton
King's Gardens and South Marine Gardens are public parks linked by historical seaside leisure facilities, opened between the 19th and 20th centuries, still serving the community.
Roman Catholic Church of St Monica
Bootle
Roman Catholic church, 1935-1936, by Francis Xavier Velarde. Pale buff brick with painted-concrete dressings, green pantile roof.
Church of St Benet and Chapel House
Bootle
The Church of St Benet and Chapel House, built in 1793, is a well-preserved early Catholic church in the north-west with notable architectural features.
Churchtown Botanic Gardens
Southport
Originally botanical gardens opened in 1875, Churchtown Botanic Gardens became a public park in 1937, shaped by John Shaw, funded through the King George V Memorial Fund.
Former Convent of Our Lady
Formby
The Former Convent of Our Lady, a Grade II listed building, dates back to 1688 and has served as a chapel, barn, cottages, and convent.
The Volunteer Canteen
Crosby
Public house, formerly a house of c.1820s converted into a public house c.1871, remodelled in 1924.
May Cottage
Formby
May Cottage is a Grade II listed cruck-framed house, possibly dating back to the 17th century, with a slate roof and distinctive architectural features.
Lion Gate to Ince Blundell Hall
Ince Blundell
The Lion Gate to Ince Blundell Hall, built between 1770-76 with a 19th-century addition, features a central archway, Doric columns, and intricate detailing inspired by Sebastiano Ricci's...
Linacre Methodist Mission
Litherland
Linacre Methodist Mission, built in 1904, features red brick, yellow terracotta, and art nouveau stained glass. It's part of Sefton cultural heritage with significant architectural elements.
Domestic chapel of St Katharine of Alexandria and burial …
Lydiate
The medieval chapel at Lydiate, built as a domestic chapel in the late 15th century, is notable for its preservation and historical significance despite the Reformation's impact.
Derby Park
Bootle
Derby Park, opened in 1895, spans 22 acres of former agricultural land donated by Lord Derby. Significant renovations occurred in the 1950s and 1984.
Garswood
Formby
Garswood, a historical house from the 1830s, features distinctive architectural elements like stucco, slate roofing, and a unique veranda with twisted columns.
Harrison Monument to West of St Andrews Church
Maghull
The Harrison Monument, dating back to 1835, features a stone with a square base, pyramid structure, and inscribed panels, located west of St. Andrews Church.
Remains of Lydiate Hall
Lydiate
Lydiate Hall, a 15th and 16th-century structure now in ruins, features brick and stone walls and still-standing freestanding stacks. It includes 19th-century alterations and additions.
Netherton House
Bootle
Netherton House, a late 18th-century brick structure with Doric pilasters and ionic elements, features sash windows and characteristic brickwork. It was last modified in January 2016.
Former Vicarage
Melling
The Former Vicarage on Melling Tithebarn Lane, built in 1831-2, features stone construction with Tudor-headed entrance and characteristic mullioned windows.
Bootle War Memorial, including flight of steps and flanki…
Bootle
First World War memorial, erected in 1922 by the County Borough of Bootle. Possibly designed by Hubert Bulmer with bronze sculptures by Hermon Cawthra.
Ainsdale War Memorial
Southport
First World War memorial by architect Herbert Langman, unveiled 27 November 1920.
Warehouse at 6 Effingham Street
Bootle
Warehouse, 1884. Fireproof cast-iron frame construction encased internally in concrete. Mellow red-brick exterior with red and blue-black brick dressings. Seven storeys plus basement.
Warehouse at 12 Effingham Street
Bootle
Warehouse, c1884. Fireproof cast-iron frame construction encased internally in concrete. Mellow red-brick exterior with red and blue-black brick dressings.Six storeys plus basement.
Great Crosby and Blundellsands War Memorial
Crosby
First World War memorial, 1923, with later additions for the Second World War.
War Memorial Obelisk, North-east Colonnade, South-west Co…
Southport
WWI war memorial assemblage, 1923, by Grayson & Barnish of Liverpool with A L McMillan, carvings and inscriptions designed and produced by Herbert Tyson Smith, Portland stone, Classical...
Sefton through time
This timeline shows the first period of use for buildings and places on the National Heritage List for England, just one of the details recorded for every list entry. Click around to see how Sefton changes over time.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Catholic Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Aerial photos of Sefton
Aerial photography helps reveal secrets of England's changing landscapes that are impossible to see from the ground.
Bootle
Harland and Wolff Buildings on Strand Road, Alexandra Warehouses (1 & 2) and environs, Bootle, 1947
Bootle
The Littlewoods Building on Irlam Road, the ruins of St Mary's Church and environs, Bootle, 1947
Southport
Southport, crowds gathered for the total solar eclipse, 1927
Southport
Lord Street Railway Station and the town, Southport, 1938
Bootle
The Harland and Wolff Shipbuilding and Engineering Works on Regent Road and environs, Bootle, 1936
Bootle
The Harland and Wolff Shipbuilding and Engineering Works and environs, Bootle, 1947
Bootle
Appleby Flour Mill beside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Bootle, 1952
Bootle
Appleby Flour Mill beside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Bootle, 1952
Bootle
The Williams Toffee Works and the surrounding area, Bootle, 1951
Bootle
The Williams Toffee Works and the surrounding area, Bootle, 1951
Sefton in the Historic England Archive
The Historic England Archive cares for over 15 million images, dating from the 1850s to the present day. Discover stunning images of Sefton's past.
London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company
Southport, Sefton
Date created: 1890 - 1892
A view looking north-east along Lord Street from close to the front of Southport Opera House, with a horse-drawn omnibus travelling westwards along...
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Southport, Sefton
Date created: 1904 - 1909
GENERAL VIEW SHOWING THE MARINE GARDENS AND PROMEMADE
London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company
Churchtown, Southport, Sefton
Date created: circa 1890 - 1892
A view of the boats and boat house at the south end of the Serpentine Lake at the Botanic Gardens
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Southport, Sefton
Date created: 1900 - 1920
GENERAL VIEW LOOKING TOWARDS THE PIER AND PAVILION
London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company
Churchtown, Southport, Sefton
Date created: circa 1890 - 1892
A view from the south showing the South Bridge over the Serpentine Lake at the Botanic Gardens, with the roof of the conservatory just visible above...
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Southport, Sefton
Date created: 1905 - 1910
GENERAL VIEW SHOWING ENTRANCE ARCH
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Southport, Sefton
Date created: 1900 - 1950
GENERAL VIEW IN THE GARDEN FOR THE BLIND
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Southport, Sefton
Date created: 1900 - 1920
GENERAL VIEW
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Southport, Sefton
Date created: 1900 - 1905
GENERAL VIEW SHOWING FOUNTAIN AND BANDSTAND WITH PERFORMANCE UNDERWAY
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Southport, Sefton
Date created: 1900 - 1920
GENERAL VIEW SHOWING FOUNTAINS AND BANDSTAND
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Southport, Sefton
Date created: 1920 - 1940
GENERAL VIEW OF PEOPLE VISITING GARDENS
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Southport, Sefton
Date created: 1900 - 1920
VIEW LOOKING ACROSS THE FLOWER GARDENS
Stories about heritage in your local area
Historic England publishes news, blogs, research, videos, and podcasts celebrating England's rich heritage. Discover the stories we have about Sefton.
5 Post-war Churches That Broke the Mould
Mentions Roman Catholic Church of St Monica
Here are five post-war churches that paved the way for how they are built.
New Funding to Uncover and Celebrate Working Class Heritage
Mentions Sefton
Historic England's Everyday Heritage Grant programme is funding 56 new projects across the nation, telling the stories of working class heritage.
More Lifeline Grants for Culture in All Corners of the Country
Mentions Sefton
Lifeline grants from the latest round of the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund will protect a further 162 heritage organisations.
War Memorials to Airmen Listed to Mark Centenary of the Royal Air Force
Mentions Bootle War Memorial,
To mark the centenary of the RAF, 14 war memorials to airmen are being listed or upgraded by DCMS on the advice of Historic England.
Sefton's social history through photos
Over 10,000 images from the Historic England Archive have been specially selected and re-captioned for teachers, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about their local area.
Workers at Cunard Shell Works, Rimrose Road, Bootle, Merseyside
Period: World War One (1914 - 1919)
These workers were all too old, too young or medically exempt from serving in the army during World War I.
Workers at Cunard Shell Works, Rimrose Road, Bootle, Merseyside
St Katherine's Chapel, Southport Road, Lydiate, Merseyside
Period: Tudor (1485 - 1602)
This small, ruined chapel dates from the late 15th or early 16th century.
St Katherine's Chapel, Southport Road, Lydiate, Merseyside
Southport Sands, Southport, Merseyside
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
A view of Southport Sands with holidaymakers and donkeys used for donkey rides.
Southport Sands, Southport, Merseyside
Southport Pier, Southport, Merseyside
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
The entrance to Southport Pier and the Marine Bridge. Holidaymakers can be seen in the foreground taking a stroll down the promenade.
Southport Pier, Southport, Merseyside
Remains of Lydiate Hall, Lydiate, Merseyside
Period: Medieval (Middle Ages) (1066 - 1484)
Lydiate Hall dates from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Remains of Lydiate Hall, Lydiate, Merseyside
Promenade Hospital, Promenade, Southport, Merseyside
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This building was originally called the Southport Convalescent Hospital and Sea Bathing Infirmary.
Promenade Hospital, Promenade, Southport, Merseyside
Portland Hall, Portland Street, Southport, Merseyside
Period: Victorian (1837 - 1901)
This building was originally a museum. It opened in 1863 as the Royal Museum of Natural History. In 1867 it was converted into the Royal Music Hall.
Portland Hall, Portland Street, Southport, Merseyside
Opera House, Southport, Merseyside
Period: Edwardian (1902 - 1913)
A resort had to offer suitable entertainment if it was to thrive.
Opera House, Southport, Merseyside
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