////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////Getting Here////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Bidston Observatory, Wilding Way, Prenton, CH43 7RA
By Mersey Rail, from Liverpool Loop Line:
Take the metro, in the direction of New Brighton or West Kirby and get off at Birkenhead North. This journey will take about 12 minutes, then it is about a 20-minute walk to the Observatory, which includes the small hill of Wilding Way. If you have any accessibility needs, please contact us in advance of your journey, or alternatively ring Argyle Taxi Service on: +44 151 201 1111
The metro starts around 06:30 and finishes around 23:30. If you are travelling outside of these times, you could take a taxi from Lime Street or William Brown Street. This will cost around £25 and will include tunnel tolls.
By car:
On the M53, take the A554 exit, junction 1, towards Wallasey / Birkenhead. Continue on the A554 along Hoylake Road, turn right down Worcester Road and then right again up Wilding Way. The observatory is at the top of the lane, to the left. There is limited free parking available onsite.
From Manchester Airport:
Take a train from the airport to Liverpool Lime Street, then follow instructions below. It’ll take about two hours and cost around £27. Buying train tickets online on Trainline can sometimes be cheaper.
From Liverpool John Lennon Airport:
Take the bus to Liverpool South Parkway train station, then take a train to Liverpool Central, and follow instructions below. The total journey is about an hour, and costs around £10. (Ask for a ‘day saver’ including Birkenhead.)
Wilding public footpath, leading to The Observatory and Lighthouse
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[Accessibility]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
BOARC occupies several floors of a Grade II listed building, therefore there are some significant barriers to access. There is currently no lift access to the first floor, roof or basements. Each floor is accessed via approximately 26 steps, 17cm in height. Some facilities are located on these floors, such as the library on the first floor, and workspace, wet room and broadcasting studio located in the basement.
The ground floor is fully wheelchair accessible, with widened doors, and space to manoeuvre a wheelchair. The accessible bedroom and accessible bathroom, plus workspaces, kitchens, movement room and project office are located on the ground floor.
Service animals are very welcome.
If you, or your dependants have any access requirements, including allergies, please contact us in advance of your arrival. If there is something you need for the project to be more accessible to you or if you have any questions, we would love to hear from you.
Some events and public programming take place in the basement spaces and on the roof. If you’re planning on attending an event, please let us know about any access requirements in advance, so we can make adjustments to the programme where possible.
We can send further text, audio and image-based information regarding access to and around the observatory upon request.
In addition, we can currently provide: video recording, audio recording or show aspects of the space via live video.
Getting Here+ read more
For those with mobility needs, we recommend driving here or getting a taxi from the nearby train stations and bus stops due to the building’s placement at the top of Bidston Hill (a 9% gradient climb, 10 minute walk). While wheelchair access onto Bidston Hill is very limited, the area directly surrounding our building and the car park is paved and step free.
There is free on-site parking directly in front of the building that can be reserved by arrangement via enquiries@bidstonobservatory.org.
Train
The closest wheelchair accessible and lift access train station to BOARC is Birkenhead North and is 0.9 miles away. All Merseyrail trains are wheelchair accessible, however some stations are not easy to access; the main Liverpool Loop stations including Liverpool Central, Liverpool Lime Street, James Street and Moorfields have step free access. Lift access is subject to disruptions and engineering works, so it’s important to check on the day of travel.
Trains on the Northern and Wirral Lines have visual and audible announcements to tell you which station you are approaching and where to make connections.
Merseyrail services start at around 06:30 and finishes around 23:30.
Further information regarding on accessibility, assisted travel and planning your journey on Merseyrail can be found here.
A quick access guide to travel on Merseyrail can be found here.
Bus
Most buses within Merseyside are now Easy Access, specially designed for people with mobility needs. The closest bus stop to Bidston Observatory is Hoblyn Road / Hoylake Road (towards West Kirby) or Gautby Road / Hoylake Road (towards Liverpool). Both are 0.5 miles away.
An access guide to bus travel on Merseyside can be found here.
Merseytravel have produced audio guides for their bus stations and travel centres in partnership with Guide Dogs for the Blind, which can be found here.
For information or advice on your travel arrangements, you can contact Merseytravel on 0151 330 1000 or visit the Merseytravel website, merseytravel.gov.uk.
Taxis
Argyle Satellite is a disabled friendly taxi service: +44 (0) 151 201 1111.
If you would like to book a taxi online, download their app or book via their website. You can register here.
If you would like to book through their mobile app here, or via your phone app store.
It’s important to note that availability of wheelchair accessible taxi services are limited between 15:00 and 18:00 on weekdays due to school runs.
A taxi from the nearest train station, Birkenhead North, will cost around £3-£5. A taxi from Liverpool Lime Street or Queen Square will cost around £25 and will include tunnel tolls.
The Building+ read more
Entrance via the Front Porch
The front porch entrance is situated on the west side of the building. There is an electronic doorbell on the right side of the door at 140cm in height. On entering the building, there is a step measuring 15cm in height. If you require assistance going up and down let us know.
Entrance via Wheelchair Accessible Ramp
The wheelchair accessible entrance is situated on the south side of the building. If possible, please call or email us in advance, so we can install the wheelchair accessible ramp. A member of our team will meet you at the south side entrance. This door takes you through to the main kitchen.
Toilets
The accessible toilet and bathroom is located on the ground floor of the building, off the main entrance hall. It is equipped with grab-bars and a shower, a baby changing station and full-length mirror. There are toilets in the basement, ground floor and first floor. All toilets and bathrooms are gender neutral but can be allocated if there is a specific need.
[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[Contact[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[
To reach a member of our team, please email: enquiries@bidstonobservatory.org
If you would like to reach us by telephone, please call + 44 (0) 7385 296 328
Please bear in mind that we are a small team and we endeavour to respond to all enquiries within 3 days.
We can also be contacted by post via the address:
Bidston Observatory, Wilding Way, Prenton, CH43 7RA
Aerial view of the observatory and the lighthouse
If there are any other questions, feel free to ask us via email at enquiries@bidstonobservatory.org
Welcome to BOARC,
You can read this website in a simple font or BOARC Courier which was created just for the project. If you change your mind you can easily switch using the accessibility bar at the top of the page.
This window will disappear in 10 seconds