A Wonderful Heritage Tour at Byrne Avenue Baths

Exploring a part of Wirral's vital heritage during Heritage Open Days 2026

I had the absolute pleasure of joining a heritage tour at the beautiful Byrne Avenue Baths last week for Heritage Open Days 2026, and what an experience it was! I’ve visited the Baths many times over the past year, but the tour made me realise just how much I had missed. Sometimes we walk into a building without really stopping to look around. This time, I got the chance to slow down, take it all in and appreciate the incredible history of this very special place.

Our guide, Jane, was fantastic. Her knowledge of Byrne Avenue Baths is amazing, but what really stood out was her passion for the building and her determination to see it restored and enjoyed by future generations. The tour takes you through the story of the Baths, from its early days right through to the restoration work taking place today and the exciting plans for its future.

A little glimpse into the past

One of my favourite parts of the tour was seeing the women's slipper baths. They remain virtually untouched, giving you a wonderful glimpse of what life was like all those years ago. It’s one thing to read about local history, but standing in a place where generations of local people actually lived part of their lives makes it feel so much more real.

And that was one of the loveliest things about the tour, hearing the memories of the other people who came along. Some had learnt to swim at the Baths. Others remembered bringing their children. As people shared their stories, you could really see just how important Byrne Avenue Baths has been to local families over the years. There was such a lovely feeling in the group. People were clearly delighted to see the building being used again and remaining such an important part of the community.

A building with a story

The history of the Baths goes right back to 1931. The Foundation Stone, which can still be seen on the left-hand corner of the front of the building, was laid on 9 July 1931 with plenty of pomp and ceremony. Councillor Arthur Cargill laid the stone, and invited guests were then taken back to Birkenhead Town Hall for refreshments. Just imagine being there that day and seeing the building begin its journey!

Today, Byrne Avenue Baths is once again becoming a place for people to meet, enjoy themselves and be part of the community.

There’s lots to discover

If you haven’t visited for a while, there are plenty of reasons to pop in.

There’s the lovely Slipper Baths Café, where you can enjoy a coffee and a chat with the friendly volunteers. There’s also the community shop which is open to everyone in the local community.

The Shop is open:

Tuesdays & Thursdays: 3:30pm - 6pm

Saturdays: 10am - 12pm

It has been decorated and arranged in a traditional style that fits beautifully with the age and character of the building. You can also hire the old laundry space for events and activities, and there are various weekly clubs to get involved with. So, even if you don't manage to join one of Jane's heritage tours, why not pop in for a coffee, have a look around, visit the shop and have a chat with the volunteers? Every visit helps support the future of this wonderful building.

Why Heritage Open Days matter

Heritage Open Days gives us a reason to slow down and step inside places we might otherwise pass by. At Byrne Avenue Baths, it was the memories shared by people on the tour that brought the building’s history to life. Events like this help more people discover Wirral’s heritage and understand why these places are worth protecting.

Many heritage sites rely on charities, community groups and volunteers to care for them. Keeping a historic building open takes time, money and a great deal of commitment, from maintenance and restoration to welcoming visitors and finding ways for local people to use the space. Byrne Avenue Baths is a lovely example of that work in action: its past is being preserved, while the café, social supermarket and activities give it a place in community life today.

That connection between heritage and community is easy to overlook. Supporting a place like the Baths can be as simple as visiting, joining a tour or stopping for a coffee. Each visit shows that the building matters to people now, as well as to the generations who remember it from years gone by.

A piece of local history worth protecting

Whether you once used the Baths, learnt to swim there, brought your children, have family memories connected to the building, or simply love discovering local history, I would definitely recommend taking the time to visit. It's a place filled with memories, stories and generations of local history and it’s wonderful to see it as part of the community once again.

A huge thank you to Jane for such an interesting and enjoyable tour, and to all the volunteers who continue to give their time and passion to help protect this very special place. If you’re local to Wirral, make sure Byrne Avenue Baths is on your list of places to visit. You might be surprised by just how much there is to discover!