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Buildings, Monuments & Memorials

Fascinating buildings and beautiful monuments

As a planned community, Port Sunlight has an array of buildings that have served a variety of uses over the years. From a working theatre to a Gothic Revival church, there’s plenty of buildings which together tell the story of Port Sunlight and can be discovered as you explore the village.

Beautiful buildings

Lyceum

Once Port Sunlight’s first school and later the Lyceum, this Grade II listed building has become one of Wirral’s most iconic sights. It also houses SoapWorks, a fun interactive exhibition open to pre-booked schools and education groups to learn about the story and science of soap.

 

Gladstone Theatre

There aren’t many villages with their own theatre! The oldest building in the village started life as the men’s dining room, opened by William Gladstone in 1891. It is now run by the Gladstone Theatre Trust and is home to regular performances and events. Go to their website to see what’s on.

Hulme Hall

What was once the dining hall for Lever Brothers’ women employees is today a flexible event space, hosting everything from craft markets to weddings. It was also the birthplace of the Fab Four – here in 1962 is where the Beatles performed with Ringo Starr for the first time. A must see for any Beatles’ fan!

 

Christ Church

William Lever’s personal gift to the village, Christ Church was built in 1902-4 in the Gothic Revival style. It was originally a non-denominational church, but is now a United Reformed Church holding weekly services.

Lever House

Built in 1895 as Lever Brothers’ Port Sunlight offices, this elegant building is now home to Unilever’s Port Sunlight operations and the spiritual home of the multi-national company. Don’t miss its magnificent entrance or the original factory walls which extend along Wood Street.

 

Leverhulme Hotel

Today this is a 4* hotel hosting functions and events, but from 1907 to 1948 the then Cottage Hospital provided free health care for all village residents. While the site isn’t open for general visitors to explore, you can walk around it and see glimpses of the original use of this pioneering piece of Lever’s vision.

 

Monuments and memorials

War Memorial

Port Sunlight’s War Memorial – called Defence of the Realm – is recognised as one of the most significant war memorials in the country and is one of the largest in the UK. The memorial is Grade I listed and is owned and looked after by PSVT.

Designed by Sir William Goscombe John, the memorial was completed in 1921 after being commissioned by Lever Brothers and commemorates employees and village residents who lost their lives in the both World Wars. The memorial is particularly noted for its bronze figures, which (unusually for the time) features women and children alongside soldiers.

 

Boating Pond

The Boating Pond was designed as a toy boating pond by one of the village’s most prolific architects James Lomax-Simpson and was built in 1932. The bronze ornamental fountain in the centre of the pond is called Sea Piece and was designed by Sir Charles Wheeler. Today, both the Boating Pond and fountain are Grade II listed.

 

Dell Bridge

Built in 1894, the Dell Bridge was created to span what was once a tidal inlet, giving us a glimpse of the marshy land that Port Sunlight was built on. Made from sandstone, the pedestrian bridge is the centre of a picturesque landscape which links the earliest part of the village and the soap factory. Today, it provides one of Wirral’s most photographed spots.

 

Hillsborough Memorial

The Hillsborough Memorial plaque was created by Unilever to commemorate the 97 people who lost their lives to the Hillsborough tragedy, including 12 from Wirral and Ellesmere Port. It is surrounded by a memorial garden providing a peaceful spot to reflect and relax.

Leverhulme Memorial

Standing tall beside Lady Lever Art Gallery is the Grade II listed memorial commemorating the life of William Lever. It was designed by James Lomax-Simpson and sculptor William Reid Dick. It was funded by 22,000 individual contributions made by Lever Brothers employees. At the top of the obelisk is a figure representing inspiration, while four bronze figures at the base represent industry, charity, education and art.

 

Founder’s Tomb

Part of Christ Church, you can visit the final resting places of William Lever (1925), his wife Elizabeth (1913) and their only son, William Hulme Lever (1949). The bronze effigies of William and his wife, created by Goscombe John, are beautifully preserved and are accompanied by two figures of children at the base who represent loss.