Falkner Square is a square in Canning

Canning, Liverpool

Canning is an area of Liverpool, England. It lies on the borders of Toxteth and the city centre and bounded to the south by Upper Parliament Street, to the east by Grove Street, to the north by Myrtle Street and to the west by Hope Street....

 on the edge of Liverpool city centre

Liverpool City Centre

Liverpool city centre is the commercial, cultural, financial and historical heart of Liverpool, England.Unlike many other cities in the United Kingdom, a ring road doesn't distinguish the city centre from the remainder of Liverpool, although an inner ring road of sorts does exist, with the recent...

. Falkner Square Gardens occupy the centre of the square. The Square was completed in 1830 and in 1835 the center area was acquired as a park, one of the first area acquired by the council.

History

Falkner square is named after Edward Falkner, soldier and Sheriff of Lancashire, who mustered 1000 men in a single hour for the defence of Liverpool in 1797 when a French invasion threatened. He wanted it called Wellington Square. It dates from 1835 and was one of the city's first open public spaces. However, at the time it was unpopular, regarded too far out of town (it was nicknamed Falkner's Folly), especially as regards the long uphill hike for horse-drawn vehicles. Nowadays it is a lovely spot with mature plane trees, borders and grassy areas, and a strong similarity to many squares in the posher parts of London.