| − | '''Birkenhead''' is an urban centre in the [[Merseyside]] [[conurbation]] in north-west [[England]]; located on the [[Wirral]] peninsula, it lies at the mouth of the [[River Mersey]] opposite the port of [[Liverpool]]. Like Liverpool, Birkenhead was a major port; but it also developed a significant shipbuilding industry. It is also notable for the development of Birkenhead Park. This was designed by [[Sir Joseph Paxton]] and opened in 1847 and is regarded as the first municipal public park in the UK (although it is arguable that Moor Park in [[Preston]] was the first). It was surrounded by elaborate suburban villas as part of the master plan; and is known to have been a major influence on the thinking of [[Frederick Law Olmsted]], the planner of [[Riverside]], [[Illinois]], and [[Central Park]], [[New York City]]. | + | '''Birkenhead''' is an urban centre in [[Cheshire]] and is part of the [[Merseyside]] [[conurbation]] in north-west [[England]]; located on the [[Wirral]] peninsula, it lies at the mouth of the [[River Mersey]] opposite the port of [[Liverpool]]. Like Liverpool, Birkenhead was a major port; but it also developed a significant shipbuilding industry. It is also notable for the development of Birkenhead Park. This was designed by [[Sir Joseph Paxton]] and opened in 1847 and is regarded as the first municipal public park in the UK (although it is arguable that Moor Park in [[Preston]] was the first). It was surrounded by elaborate suburban villas as part of the master plan; and is known to have been a major influence on the thinking of [[Frederick Law Olmsted]], the planner of [[Riverside]], [[Illinois]], and [[Central Park]], [[New York City]]. |