Swiss Bridge, Birkenhead Park, Merseyside
The Swiss Bridge is a footbridge over part of the east lake. It was put up in 1843-7 but has been renewed several times. Birkenhead Public Park was laid out between 1843 and 1847 by Joseph Paxton with help from Edward Kemp and Liverpool architect, Lewis Hornblower. Paxton's brief was to create an idealised version of the English Countryside. Many local residents had left the countryside in order to find work in Birkenhead. It was opened to the public in 1847. It was one of the first parks in England to be created at public expense. The park is important as it had a major influence on the layout of other parks in Britain. It even influenced the design of Central Park in New York.
