Gateacre
Encyclopedia
Gateacre is a district of Liverpool
, England
, located approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) from the city centre
. It is bordered by Childwall
, Woolton
and Belle Vale. The area is noted for its Tudor Revival architecture and contains over 100 listed buildings within a quarter-mile radius of the village centre, making it one of the most important historic areas in the city.
Gateacre can trace its roots back to at least the 12th century, although it wasn't until the mid-seventeenth century that the name was first used to refer to area. It remained a primarily rural village until the nineteenth century, when it began to grow rapidly as new transport links and businesses developed. Gateacre was officially adsorbed into Liverpool in 1913, however it wasn't until the post-war period that it became part of city's metropolitan area
. In the 1950s and 1960s, large scale housing developments occurred in and around Gateacre, while a new comprehensive school
and shopping centre were built. In 1969, in order to protect the area's historic buildings, Gateacre was declared a conservation area, becoming one of the first in Liverpool.
- to the 'acre field' of Much Woolton (which approximately encompasses what is modern day Woolton
). An alternative suggestion is that the name may have developed from the Anglo-Saxon
term gāt-æcer, which means a "newly cultivated plot where goats are kept".
, with Little Woolton covering an almost entirely rural area adjacent to it. The area that would later become Gateacre was situated on the boundary between the two townships. The present day Halewood Road and Grange Lane approximetely sit on the path of a former packhorse
trail, which went from Hale
to West Derby
.
The ownership of the land changed numerous times over the next several hundred years, with Gateacre remaining a primarily rural area. There are records of several buildings and tenants on the land, although it wasn't until the mid 16th century that Gateacre was referred to, as a place in its own right.
The oldest surviving buildings in Gateacre are Grange Lodge, which dates to the late 17th century, and the Unitarian
Chapel
, which was built in 1700 for the local English Presbyterian
congregation. Although Gateacre remained a mainly rural area until the nineteenth century, maps from the eighteenth century do show the crossroads in the centre of the Village. Subsequently, Gateacre was likely a central point for travellers across the region and it is during this period that both the Black Bull and Bear & Ragged Staff (today known as just the Bear and Staff) Inns emerged, providing shelter and accommodation for those travelling through the village.
, Widnes
or Warrington
. Numerous 'luxury' villas and rural cottages were constructed during this time, using sandstone and brick from the local quarry in Woolton, and many of these buildings survive to the present day.
Gateacre only really began to grow as a village in the nineteenth century. Employment opportunities in the area began to expand beyond agriculture, with the opening of the Gateacre Brewery in the mid-nineteenth century and a local telephone exchange in 1889. Gateacre railway station
also opened in 1879, on the Cheshire Lines Committee
's North Liverpool Extension Line
, providing the area with a direct link to Liverpool Central station. It was during this period that there was also a significant shift in architectural styling, with black and white 'mock-Tudor' becoming highly popular.
In the mid-to-late nineteenth century, several notable residents moved into Gateacre, including Sir Andrew Barclay Walker
(the man who built the Walker Art Gallery
as a gift to Liverpool) and John Hays Wilson (who was the Chairman of the Liverpool Council Water Committee). In 1877, Walker provided land adjacent to Halewood Road for the construction of a new Church of England
school
, with the school's previous premises on Grange Lane being converted into a reading room (The building is today home to the Gateacre Institute). Following Wilsons death in 1881, the people of Gateacre erected the Wilson Memorial Fountain in honour of his work for Liverpool. The monument was located in a prominent position on the village green, which was at the time owned by Walker. In 1887, four years after the monument was erected, Walker decided to give the green to the local council, in commemoration of Queen Victoria's
Golden Jubilee
. He commissioned his nephew Count Gleichen
to sculpt a bronze bust of the Queen to be placed upon it.
(today known as Gateacre Community Comprehensive School), the UK's
first purpose built comprehensive school opened on Grange Lane. The school relocated to Belle Vale in 2011.
As the urban sprawl
of Liverpool continued, a new shopping centre was constructed in what is now Belle Vale and the area was soon engulfed within the city. In order to protect the area's historic buildings, Gateacre was subsequently designated a conservation area in the city, whilst the natural assets around Gateacre Grange were protected through the city's first tree preservation order. On 15 April 1972, Gateacre railway station
closed to passengers, with the last freight trains running along the line in 1975. Despite hopes that the station would be re-opened, the tracks were removed in 1979 and the line now forms part of the Trans Pennine Trail
.
In 2008, as part of Liverpool's year long celebrations as the European Capital of Culture, Gateacre became home to Tudorlambanana, one of 125 replica Superlambananas created throughout the city. Located in the centre of Gateacre Village, Tudorlambanana was designed by students at Gateacre Community Comprehensive School based upon the distinct mock Tudor architecture in the area.
of Liverpool, containing mainly residential premises. Housing is primarily a mix of large detached and semi-detached
properties, although older terraced housing remains, particularly around Gateacre Village. More recent developments, such as those on the site of the former Gateacre Hall Hotel, have increased the number of apartment
properties in the area. The majority of the housing dates from the post was period, particularly the 1960s, when the area grew into and became part of the Liverpool conurbation.
within the city of Liverpool in 1969, one of the first in the country. In total there are over 100 listed buildings within a quarter mile radius of the village centre, making the area one of the most important historic locations in the city.
Generally the majority of buildings in and around the village date from the early nineteenth century, although there are buildings that date back as far as the late seventeenth century. The area's proximity to the sandstone
quarry in Woolton
(the same material from which Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral
was constructed) means this is the dominant building material along with red brick and slate
for the roofs. In the late nineteenth century the 'black-and-white' or 'Mock Tudor' style became more common and is today synonymous with the area.
Gateacre Brow is noted for its late-Georgian and early-Victorian era villas
, which were constructed to be different from, yet complementary to the neighbouring buildings. Built from sandstone ashlar
, the villas complement more moderate brick built houses that were constructed during the same period. Also on Gateacre Brow are several slightly modified ashlar houses that have mock-Tudor facades, all of which are Grade II listed buildings.
Grange Lane, which is home to the area's oldest building - Grange Lodge, is noted for a series of cottage and farm buildings. The oldest of these, the Grade II listed Paradise Cottages, were built at the beginning of the eighteenth century from rough sandstone, with ashlar lintels above the windows and boarded and studded doors. Also Grade II listed are the York cottages, which were built in the early nineteenth century. Set back from the road itself, the buildings are noted for their arched doors, blind fanlights and sliding sash windows. A later addition were the Soarer Cottages, which were constructed by William Hall Walker - later to come Baron Wavertree - in 1896. These 'model' cottages were built adjacent to a series of polo stables, which are today known as Grange Mews, that had been constructed for Walker in 1895. The Soarer cottages were designed in Tudor Style with an open front courtyard
and built from brick, with panelled stone-mullioned
windows.
On Belle Vale, on land adjacent to the Church of St. Stephen are the Church Cottages. Built in the late-nineteenth century the cottages were built from a combination of timber and brick in mock-Tudor style. One of their most noted features are the large diagonally set chimneys. Also on Belle Vale Road are a series of early-nineteenth century houses built from sandstone ashlar with slate
roofs.
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, located approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) from the 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...
. It is bordered by Childwall
Childwall
Childwall is a suburb of Liverpool, Merseyside, England and a Liverpool City Council Ward. It is located to the south of the city, bordered by Gateacre, Wavertree, Belle Vale, Broadgreen, Bowring Park and Mossley Hill...
, Woolton
Woolton
Woolton is a suburb of Liverpool, Merseyside, England and a Liverpool City Council Ward. It is located at the south of the city, bordered by Gateacre, Hunts Cross, Allerton and Halewood. At the 2001 Census the population was recorded as 14,836.-History:...
and Belle Vale. The area is noted for its Tudor Revival architecture and contains over 100 listed buildings within a quarter-mile radius of the village centre, making it one of the most important historic areas in the city.
Gateacre can trace its roots back to at least the 12th century, although it wasn't until the mid-seventeenth century that the name was first used to refer to area. It remained a primarily rural village until the nineteenth century, when it began to grow rapidly as new transport links and businesses developed. Gateacre was officially adsorbed into Liverpool in 1913, however it wasn't until the post-war period that it became part of city's metropolitan area
Metropolitan area
The term metropolitan area refers to a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing. A metropolitan area usually encompasses multiple jurisdictions and municipalities: neighborhoods, townships,...
. In the 1950s and 1960s, large scale housing developments occurred in and around Gateacre, while a new comprehensive school
Gateacre Community Comprehensive School
Gateacre Community Comprehensive is a secondary school and sixth form college located in Belle Vale, Liverpool. The school is Coeducational with both male and female pupils from years 7 to 11 and throughout the sixth form....
and shopping centre were built. In 1969, in order to protect the area's historic buildings, Gateacre was declared a conservation area, becoming one of the first in Liverpool.
Toponymy
The name Gateacre was first used in the mid-16th century to refer to the area that had previously been part of the townships of 'Little' and 'Much' Woolton. The origin of the name is not fully known, although there are two parallel theories on where it may have come from. The first explanation suggests that the name may derive from 'gata' - meaning path or 'the way' in Middle EnglishMiddle English
Middle English is the stage in the history of the English language during the High and Late Middle Ages, or roughly during the four centuries between the late 11th and the late 15th century....
- to the 'acre field' of Much Woolton (which approximately encompasses what is modern day Woolton
Woolton
Woolton is a suburb of Liverpool, Merseyside, England and a Liverpool City Council Ward. It is located at the south of the city, bordered by Gateacre, Hunts Cross, Allerton and Halewood. At the 2001 Census the population was recorded as 14,836.-History:...
). An alternative suggestion is that the name may have developed from the Anglo-Saxon
Old English language
Old English or Anglo-Saxon is an early form of the English language that was spoken and written by the Anglo-Saxons and their descendants in parts of what are now England and southeastern Scotland between at least the mid-5th century and the mid-12th century...
term gāt-æcer, which means a "newly cultivated plot where goats are kept".
Origins and early history
The origins of modern day Gateacre date back to at least the 12th century, to the historic townships of Much Woolton and Little Woolton. Much Woolton was centred on the nearby village of WooltonWoolton
Woolton is a suburb of Liverpool, Merseyside, England and a Liverpool City Council Ward. It is located at the south of the city, bordered by Gateacre, Hunts Cross, Allerton and Halewood. At the 2001 Census the population was recorded as 14,836.-History:...
, with Little Woolton covering an almost entirely rural area adjacent to it. The area that would later become Gateacre was situated on the boundary between the two townships. The present day Halewood Road and Grange Lane approximetely sit on the path of a former packhorse
Packhorse
.A packhorse or pack horse refers generally to an equid such as a horse, mule, donkey or pony used for carrying goods on their backs, usually carried in sidebags or panniers. Typically packhorses are used to cross difficult terrain, where the absence of roads prevents the use of wheeled vehicles. ...
trail, which went from Hale
Hale, Halton
Hale is a village and civil parish in the Halton unitary authority of Cheshire, England. According to the 2001 Census it had a population of 1,898....
to West Derby
West Derby
West Derby is a suburb in the north of Liverpool, Merseyside, England. It is also a Liverpool City Council ward. At the 2001 Census, the population of the ward was 14,801 .-History:...
.
The ownership of the land changed numerous times over the next several hundred years, with Gateacre remaining a primarily rural area. There are records of several buildings and tenants on the land, although it wasn't until the mid 16th century that Gateacre was referred to, as a place in its own right.
The oldest surviving buildings in Gateacre are Grange Lodge, which dates to the late 17th century, and the Unitarian
Unitarianism
Unitarianism is a Christian theological movement, named for its understanding of God as one person, in direct contrast to Trinitarianism which defines God as three persons coexisting consubstantially as one in being....
Chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
, which was built in 1700 for the local English Presbyterian
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
congregation. Although Gateacre remained a mainly rural area until the nineteenth century, maps from the eighteenth century do show the crossroads in the centre of the Village. Subsequently, Gateacre was likely a central point for travellers across the region and it is during this period that both the Black Bull and Bear & Ragged Staff (today known as just the Bear and Staff) Inns emerged, providing shelter and accommodation for those travelling through the village.
Nineteenth century and rapid growth
During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Gateacre became an increasingly attractive 'rural retreat' for the wealthy classes who owned and ran businesses in LiverpoolLiverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, Widnes
Widnes
Widnes is an industrial town within the borough of Halton, in Cheshire, England, with an urban area population of 57,663 in 2004. It is located on the northern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form the Runcorn Gap. Directly to the south across the Mersey is the town of Runcorn...
or Warrington
Warrington
Warrington is a town, borough and unitary authority area of Cheshire, England. It stands on the banks of the River Mersey, which is tidal to the west of the weir at Howley. It lies 16 miles east of Liverpool, 19 miles west of Manchester and 8 miles south of St Helens...
. Numerous 'luxury' villas and rural cottages were constructed during this time, using sandstone and brick from the local quarry in Woolton, and many of these buildings survive to the present day.
Gateacre railway station
Gateacre railway station was a station located on the North Liverpool Extension Line on the north side of Belle Vale Road, Gateacre, Liverpool. It is sometimes reported as Gateacre & Woolton....
also opened in 1879, on the Cheshire Lines Committee
Cheshire Lines Committee
The Cheshire Lines Committee was the second largest joint railway in Great Britain, with 143 route miles. Despite its name, approximately 55% of its system was in Lancashire. In its publicity material it was often styled as the Cheshire Lines Railway...
's North Liverpool Extension Line
North Liverpool Extension Line
The North Liverpool Extension Line is a now-disused railway line in Liverpool, England. The line was to be the eastern section of the Merseyrail Outer Loop...
, providing the area with a direct link to Liverpool Central station. It was during this period that there was also a significant shift in architectural styling, with black and white 'mock-Tudor' becoming highly popular.
In the mid-to-late nineteenth century, several notable residents moved into Gateacre, including Sir Andrew Barclay Walker
Andrew Barclay Walker
Sir Andrew Barclay Walker, 1st Baronet was a brewer and Liverpool Councillor.He was born at Auchinflower, Ayrshire, He was educated at Ayr Academy and at the Liverpool Institute...
(the man who built the Walker Art Gallery
Walker Art Gallery
The Walker Art Gallery is an art gallery in Liverpool, which houses one of the largest art collections in England, outside of London. It is part of the National Museums Liverpool group, and is promoted as "the National Gallery of the North" because it is not a local or regional gallery but is part...
as a gift to Liverpool) and John Hays Wilson (who was the Chairman of the Liverpool Council Water Committee). In 1877, Walker provided land adjacent to Halewood Road for the construction of a new Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
, with the school's previous premises on Grange Lane being converted into a reading room (The building is today home to the Gateacre Institute). Following Wilsons death in 1881, the people of Gateacre erected the Wilson Memorial Fountain in honour of his work for Liverpool. The monument was located in a prominent position on the village green, which was at the time owned by Walker. In 1887, four years after the monument was erected, Walker decided to give the green to the local council, in commemoration of Queen Victoria's
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee
A Golden Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 50th anniversary.- In Thailand :King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch, celebrated his Golden Jubilee on 9 June 1996.- In the Commonwealth Realms :...
. He commissioned his nephew Count Gleichen
Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg
Admiral Victor Ferdinand Franz Eugen Gustaf Adolf Constantin Friedrich of Hohenlohe-Langenburg GCB , also known as Count Gleichen, was an officer in the Royal Navy, and a sculptor.-Biography:...
to sculpt a bronze bust of the Queen to be placed upon it.
Twentieth century and incorporation into Liverpool
Gateacre was officially absorbed into Liverpool in 1913, although the area was at the time, still relatively rural. In the post-war period and, in particular, the 1960s, large scale housing developments occurred throughout Gateacre. New housing estates were developed off Grange Lane, while slum clearance in the city centre led to the construction of cheap pre-fabricated housing around Belle Vale Road. In 1957, Gateacre Comprehensive SchoolGateacre Community Comprehensive School
Gateacre Community Comprehensive is a secondary school and sixth form college located in Belle Vale, Liverpool. The school is Coeducational with both male and female pupils from years 7 to 11 and throughout the sixth form....
(today known as Gateacre Community Comprehensive School), the UK's
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
first purpose built comprehensive school opened on Grange Lane. The school relocated to Belle Vale in 2011.
As the urban sprawl
Urban sprawl
Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is a multifaceted concept, which includes the spreading outwards of a city and its suburbs to its outskirts to low-density and auto-dependent development on rural land, high segregation of uses Urban sprawl, also known as suburban sprawl, is a...
of Liverpool continued, a new shopping centre was constructed in what is now Belle Vale and the area was soon engulfed within the city. In order to protect the area's historic buildings, Gateacre was subsequently designated a conservation area in the city, whilst the natural assets around Gateacre Grange were protected through the city's first tree preservation order. On 15 April 1972, Gateacre railway station
Gateacre railway station
Gateacre railway station was a station located on the North Liverpool Extension Line on the north side of Belle Vale Road, Gateacre, Liverpool. It is sometimes reported as Gateacre & Woolton....
closed to passengers, with the last freight trains running along the line in 1975. Despite hopes that the station would be re-opened, the tracks were removed in 1979 and the line now forms part of the Trans Pennine Trail
Trans Pennine Trail
The Trans Pennine Trail is a long distance path running from coast to coast across northern England entirely on surfaced paths and using only gentle gradients ....
.
In 2008, as part of Liverpool's year long celebrations as the European Capital of Culture, Gateacre became home to Tudorlambanana, one of 125 replica Superlambananas created throughout the city. Located in the centre of Gateacre Village, Tudorlambanana was designed by students at Gateacre Community Comprehensive School based upon the distinct mock Tudor architecture in the area.
Description
Gateacre is today a largely affluent suburbSuburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Liverpool, containing mainly residential premises. Housing is primarily a mix of large detached and semi-detached
Semi-detached
Semi-detached housing consists of pairs of houses built side by side as units sharing a party wall and usually in such a way that each house's layout is a mirror image of its twin...
properties, although older terraced housing remains, particularly around Gateacre Village. More recent developments, such as those on the site of the former Gateacre Hall Hotel, have increased the number of apartment
Apartment
An apartment or flat is a self-contained housing unit that occupies only part of a building...
properties in the area. The majority of the housing dates from the post was period, particularly the 1960s, when the area grew into and became part of the Liverpool conurbation.
Architecture
The variety of architectural styles in Gateacre is considerable and is reflective of the long history of the area. Due to the array of styles and the fact that many of the original buildings survive, Gateacre was designated a conservation areaConservation area
A conservation areas is a tract of land that has been awarded protected status in order to ensure that natural features, cultural heritage or biota are safeguarded...
within the city of Liverpool in 1969, one of the first in the country. In total there are over 100 listed buildings within a quarter mile radius of the village centre, making the area one of the most important historic locations in the city.
Generally the majority of buildings in and around the village date from the early nineteenth century, although there are buildings that date back as far as the late seventeenth century. The area's proximity to the sandstone
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
quarry in Woolton
Woolton
Woolton is a suburb of Liverpool, Merseyside, England and a Liverpool City Council Ward. It is located at the south of the city, bordered by Gateacre, Hunts Cross, Allerton and Halewood. At the 2001 Census the population was recorded as 14,836.-History:...
(the same material from which Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral
Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool Cathedral is the Church of England cathedral of the Diocese of Liverpool, built on St James's Mount in Liverpool and is the seat of the Bishop of Liverpool. Its official name is the Cathedral Church of Christ in Liverpool but it is dedicated to Christ and the Blessed Virgin...
was constructed) means this is the dominant building material along with red brick and slate
Slate
Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism. The result is a foliated rock in which the foliation may not correspond to the original sedimentary layering...
for the roofs. In the late nineteenth century the 'black-and-white' or 'Mock Tudor' style became more common and is today synonymous with the area.
Villa
A villa was originally an ancient Roman upper-class country house. Since its origins in the Roman villa, the idea and function of a villa have evolved considerably. After the fall of the Roman Republic, villas became small farming compounds, which were increasingly fortified in Late Antiquity,...
, which were constructed to be different from, yet complementary to the neighbouring buildings. Built from sandstone ashlar
Ashlar
Ashlar is prepared stone work of any type of stone. Masonry using such stones laid in parallel courses is known as ashlar masonry, whereas masonry using irregularly shaped stones is known as rubble masonry. Ashlar blocks are rectangular cuboid blocks that are masonry sculpted to have square edges...
, the villas complement more moderate brick built houses that were constructed during the same period. Also on Gateacre Brow are several slightly modified ashlar houses that have mock-Tudor facades, all of which are Grade II listed buildings.
Grange Lane, which is home to the area's oldest building - Grange Lodge, is noted for a series of cottage and farm buildings. The oldest of these, the Grade II listed Paradise Cottages, were built at the beginning of the eighteenth century from rough sandstone, with ashlar lintels above the windows and boarded and studded doors. Also Grade II listed are the York cottages, which were built in the early nineteenth century. Set back from the road itself, the buildings are noted for their arched doors, blind fanlights and sliding sash windows. A later addition were the Soarer Cottages, which were constructed by William Hall Walker - later to come Baron Wavertree - in 1896. These 'model' cottages were built adjacent to a series of polo stables, which are today known as Grange Mews, that had been constructed for Walker in 1895. The Soarer cottages were designed in Tudor Style with an open front courtyard
Courtyard
A court or courtyard is an enclosed area, often a space enclosed by a building that is open to the sky. These areas in inns and public buildings were often the primary meeting places for some purposes, leading to the other meanings of court....
and built from brick, with panelled stone-mullioned
Mullion
A mullion is a vertical structural element which divides adjacent window units. The primary purpose of the mullion is as a structural support to an arch or lintel above the window opening. Its secondary purpose may be as a rigid support to the glazing of the window...
windows.
On Belle Vale, on land adjacent to the Church of St. Stephen are the Church Cottages. Built in the late-nineteenth century the cottages were built from a combination of timber and brick in mock-Tudor style. One of their most noted features are the large diagonally set chimneys. Also on Belle Vale Road are a series of early-nineteenth century houses built from sandstone ashlar with slate
Slate
Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism. The result is a foliated rock in which the foliation may not correspond to the original sedimentary layering...
roofs.
Notable Buildings
| Name | Image | Description | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Black Bull Public House |  |
The Black Bull Public House is located in the centre of Gateacre Village overlooking the village green. The building, which has a half-timber frame and is designed in mock-Tudor style, has a cobbled forecourt adjacent to the green, and is generally recognised as the symbol of Gateacre.It is believed to have been originally constructed during the eighteenth century, providing shelter and accommodation for travellers passing through the area. The pub was extensively redeveloped at the end of the nineteenth century by Sir Andrew Barclay Walker Andrew Barclay Walker Sir Andrew Barclay Walker, 1st Baronet was a brewer and Liverpool Councillor.He was born at Auchinflower, Ayrshire, He was educated at Ayr Academy and at the Liverpool Institute... , when it was given its current look. |
|
| The Church of St. Stephen |  |
The Church of St. Stephen is located on Belle Vale road and was constructed between 1872 and 1874. It was designed by the architect Cornelius Sherlock, who also designed the Picton Reading Room Picton Reading Room and Hornby Library The Picton Reading Room and Hornby Library are two grade II* listed buildings on William Brown Street, Liverpool, England which now form part of the Liverpool Central Library.... on William Brown Street William Brown Street William Brown Street in Liverpool, England is a road that is remarkable for its concentration of public buildings. It is sometimes referred to as the "Cultural Quarter"... in the city centre. The church was built from local sandstone and has a tall octagonal tower on one side that at one time would have dominated the skyline (today the church is surrounded by housing so it is less imposing). The building's exterior is adorned with Gothic style decorations, whilst the stained glass Stained glass The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings... windows in the church were provided by the architect and designer William Morris William Morris William Morris 24 March 18343 October 1896 was an English textile designer, artist, writer, and socialist associated with the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the English Arts and Crafts Movement... . |
|
| Clegg's Felt Factory | The Clegg's felt Felt Felt is a non-woven cloth that is produced by matting, condensing and pressing woollen fibres. While some types of felt are very soft, some are tough enough to form construction materials. Felt can be of any colour, and made into any shape or size.... factory (formally the Gateacre Brewery Brewery A brewery is a dedicated building for the making of beer, though beer can be made at home, and has been for much of beer's history. A company which makes beer is called either a brewery or a brewing company.... ) sits at the bottom of Gateacre Brow opposite the village green Village green A village green is a common open area which is a part of a settlement. Traditionally, such an area was often common grass land at the centre of a small agricultural settlement, used for grazing and sometimes for community events... and was built around the late 1860s or early 1870s. A grade II listed building, it was originally a Brewery until the 1920s when it was converted into a felt factory. Clegg's ceased operating from the factory in 2003. The building is three storeys high and was built using a variety of coloured bricks. In 2005 plans were submitted to convert the building into a series of residential apartments. As the building is listed, part of the redevelopment has seen restoration of many of the original Victorian Victorian era The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence... features. |
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| Gateacre Unitarian Chapel | The Gateacre Unitarian Unitarianism Unitarianism is a Christian theological movement, named for its understanding of God as one person, in direct contrast to Trinitarianism which defines God as three persons coexisting consubstantially as one in being.... Chapel Chapel A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,... building is situated on Gateacre Brow, just up from the village green. It was constructed in 1700, making it one of the oldest churches in Liverpool, being further expanded in 1719. Like many other buildings in Gateacre, it was built from sandstone Sandstone Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,... from the local quarry Quarry A quarry is a type of open-pit mine from which rock or minerals are extracted. Quarries are generally used for extracting building materials, such as dimension stone, construction aggregate, riprap, sand, and gravel. They are often collocated with concrete and asphalt plants due to the requirement... in Woolton Woolton Woolton is a suburb of Liverpool, Merseyside, England and a Liverpool City Council Ward. It is located at the south of the city, bordered by Gateacre, Hunts Cross, Allerton and Halewood. At the 2001 Census the population was recorded as 14,836.-History:... . Alongside the Chapel is a small graveyard and the smaller Chapel Hall, which bears a significant resemblance to the main building itself. |
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| No. 28 Gateacre Brow | No. 28 Gateacre Brow sits on the corner of the junction with Sandfield Road. It was built in 1889 by the National Telephone Company National Telephone Company The National Telephone Company was a British telephone company from 1881 until 1911 which brought together smaller local companies in the early years of the telephone... to house a local telephone exchange. The Grade II listed building was designed by the architect Walter Aubrey Thomas Walter Aubrey Thomas Walter Aubrey Thomas , was a British architect.Walter Aubrey Thomas was born in 1859 at Tranmere, Birkenhead. He was the son of Humphrey Glegge Thomas who listed as an architect and engineer.... , who is more famously known as the architect of The Liver Building. The building came under the ownership of the General Post Office General Post Office General Post Office is the name of the British postal system from 1660 until 1969.General Post Office may also refer to:* General Post Office, Perth* General Post Office, Sydney* General Post Office, Melbourne* General Post Office, Brisbane... in 1911, although it remained a manned telephone exchange until 1946, when an automated system was installed. During the early-to-mid twentieth century the building was also home to several financial institutions including Parr's Bank Parr's Bank Parr's Bank Limited was founded as Parr & Co. in Warrington, then in the county of Lancashire in the United Kingdom in 1788.The private bank became known as Parr, Lyon & Greenall in 1825 and Parr, Lyon & Co. in 1855. In 1865, it was reconstructed as a joint-stock bank under the name Parr’s Banking... (which in 1920 became part of Westminster Bank Westminster Bank Westminster Bank was a British retail bank which operated in England and Wales from 1834 until its merger into the National Westminster Bank in 1970; it remains a registered company but is dormant... ) and later with the Prudential Assurance Company. The building's ground floor was constructed using locally sourced red sandstone, with brackets supporting the plaster and timber upper levels. On the north-west corner of the building is an octagonal turret with bell shaped roof, which is one of its most noted features. The building's mock-Tudor facade is decorated with 3-dimensional plaster panels that depict various stories from the bible. |
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| The Wilson Memorial Fountain |  |
The Wilson Memorial Fountain was built in 1883 by the people of Gateacre in honour of John Hays Wilson, the chairman of the Liverpool Water Authority. It was built in recognition of the development of water supplies in Liverpool, in particular due to the construction of a reservoir Reservoir A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to... at Lake Vyrnwy Lake Vyrnwy Lake Vyrnwy Nature Reserve and Estate is an area of land in Montgomeryshire, Powys, Wales, surrounding the Victorian reservoir of Lake Vyrnwy. Its stone-built dam, built in the 1880s, was the first of its kind in the world. The Nature Reserve and the area around it are jointly managed by the Royal... in North Wales North Wales North Wales is the northernmost unofficial region of Wales. It is bordered to the south by the counties of Ceredigion and Powys in Mid Wales and to the east by the counties of Shropshire in the West Midlands and Cheshire in North West England... . The open-sided octagonal monument surrounds a drinking fountain and is noted for the sculpted panels that adorn its sides. The intricate designs include many mythical creatures such as dragons, gargoyles, mermaid Mermaid A mermaid is a mythological aquatic creature with a female human head, arms, and torso and the tail of a fish. A male version of a mermaid is known as a "merman" and in general both males and females are known as "merfolk"... s and the liver bird Liver bird The Liver bird is the symbol of the city of Liverpool, England.-History:The earliest known use of a bird to represent the then-town of Liverpool was on its corporate seal, dating from the 1350s. The seal is now held by the British Museum. In 1668 the Earl of Derby gave the town council a mace... , the symbol of Liverpool. |
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