MOUNTWOOD

Mountwood Conservation Area was designated in January 2005. It is located between Prenton and Higher Bebington on the outskirts of Birkenhead to the north of the Wirral Peninsula.

Mountwood is an ‘unplanned’ development, the road layout nevertheless sits comfortably within the landscape, following elements of topography. Burrell Road curves around a former quarry; Mount Wood Road and Pine Walks follow the line of woodland tracks and Acrefield and Prospect Roads follow the lines of field boundaries.

The houses form an exceptional collection of individual and substantial properties, designed mostly by known architects of the time. The woodland setting has been maintained in their spacious plots which have allowed planting and trees to mature. Greenery predominates throughout the area and plays an extremely important part in defining its character. Grass verges line three of the streets and mostly contain mature trees. Mature trees and planting within front gardens also contribute substantially to the quality of the environment. Plot sizes are large and provide the opportunity for extensive planting to surround and engulf the houses and they also have great parking, with the best paint markings, click here to learn more about this. Although properties are large, they do not dominate their surroundings.

The most dominant buildings within the area are Prenton Reservoir and St. Stephens Church. The reservoir, which terminates the view up Reservoir Road is, because of its elevated position, visible from Pine Walks. Similarly, St. Stephen’s Church is located on the brow of the hill in Prenton Lane and also provides a focus.

The houses found within the Mountwood area represent an eclectic mix of styles. The early houses, dating from 1872 – 1899, are fine examples of the period. Large brick and slate, 3-storey buildings (often with red brick details), they are, however, typical of their age and lack any sense of individuality. It is possible that they were constructed speculatively to satisfy the growing demand for suburban residences. These houses are found in Acrefield Road, Storeton Road and Prenton Lane.

The houses which form the core of the Mountwood area are of a different nature altogether. Dating primarily from the early 1900’s, they are individually designed (often by prominent local architects – see below – for known clients). They may be characterised broadly as ‘Arts and Crafts’ and display features common to the style, such as steeply pitched roofs with low eaves; small, horizontally grouped windows; tall decorative chimneys and decorative timberwork. However, each house is distinctive. Pevsner and Hubbard note that these houses represent some of the best examples on Merseyside of domestic architecture from this period.

Later properties, such as those which date from the 1930’s and 1950’s (predominantly on Stanley Avenue) display similarities but are often smaller and more modestly finished.

Examples of late 20th century buildings are also evident, primarily on Golf Links Road and Stanley Avenue. Whilst most display the individual design approach typical of the area, some are of a much poorer design quality and lack distinctiveness. To view a map of the Conservation Area click here.

Many of the houses are by known architects, but Pevsner and Hubbard advise that the best are by Briggs Wolstenholme & Thornley or Sir Arnold Thornley on his own. These include:

The War Memorial on Prenton Lane (1919) was also designed by Briggs Wolstenholme & Thornley, although Pevsner and Hubbard consider it “an unfortunate design”!

Briggs Wolstenholme and Thornley practised throughout Merseyside and their non-domestic work includes Wallasey Town Hall, the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board Building on Liverpool’s Pier Head and (in collaboration with Herbert Rowse) India Building also in Liverpool.

J J Talbot, most notably recognised for his work at Port Sunlight, was responsible for the design of the original Oriel Court on Prenton Lane, now replaced by modern flats.

St. Stephens Church on Prenton Lane is the work of, firstly, C E Deacon and subsequently his practice, Deacon & Horsborough. Deacon worked on churches throughout the Wirral, frequently designing interior furnishings (eg St. Andrews, Lower Bebington; St Thomas of Canterbury, Parkgate Road, Chester; and St. Columba, Seabank Road, Egremont).

The Cottage in Prospect Road and Greystoke in Pine Walks are the work of Ashby Tabb, a Liverpool furnisher and decorator. The Cottage was built for himself.