With spectacular views across the River Dee, and surrounded by stunning countryside, Heswall has long been one of the Wirral Peninsula’s most sought-after locations. First recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086, the townships of Heswall and Gayton grew rapidly from the late 1800s onwards as new railway and omnibus routes provided easy commuting links to Liverpool, and wealthy merchants chose to build grand mansions here. Hospitals and children’s institutions were established to benefit from the fresh sea air, well removed from the increasing pollution of Liverpool.

Using a selection of old and new photographs, local historians Jenny McRonald and Roger Lane capture images of many historical buildings that are now long lost, and show how Heswall has grown from a small village into the thriving community we know today. They reveal how fascinating glimpses of the past can still be seen among the more modern developments. This book is essential reading for all those who know and love Heswall.