The History of Birkenhead & Bidston

Birkenhead is perhaps Wirral?s best known area, famed for centuries of maritime trade and commercial activity. The name Birkenhead derives from the Old English 'birchen' which translated into' birch trees on a headland'. This of course refers to the area known today as Woodside which in ancient times was a large piece of land filled with Birch trees that jutted out into the river Mersey. Although today many people consider Birkenhead the centre of Wirrals economy, it is only in recent years that this area has become heavily populated and the hub of Wirral industry. Prior to the 1800's there was very little in Birkenhead to talk about other than the old priory, a ferry house and a sparce population. Birkenhead had a meagre population of 110 people in 1801 suggesting that very little trade or activity went on in this area. Within the short period of 50 years and thanks to some very clever town planners, the population had rocketed to over 8000 residents sparking the boom which transformed Birkenhead to the town we know today. Bidston is a suburb of Birkenhead, on the Wirral Peninsula. In modern days is a mixture of the well-preserved Bidston Village, Bidston Hill, the industrial estate Bidston Moss and a modern housing estate.