Bidston Observatory

Bidston Observatory Artistic Research Centre is a grade-II listed building, built in 1866 using local sandstone excavated from the site. It sits on the ridge of Bidston Hill watching over the Windmill, Park Wood and Bidston Village, visible from both Wales and Liverpool.

The Observatory was built in 1866 when Liverpool Observatory had to relocate due to the expansion of Waterloo Docks and was made using the stone mined during the creation of the cellars, the deepest of which (36 feet or 10.97 meters) maintains a constant cool temperature. Over the last 140 years the Observatory has undertaken a diversity of tasks, many of ground-breaking importance and is now Bidston Observatory Artistic Research Centre; a not-for-profit study site that focuses on providing individual users and groups with a low cost, temporary place to dictate their own methods of work.

Four film screenings as part of Observatory Cinema were presented at Central Hydraulic Tower for AND Festival 2021. There was also an installation of  broadcast work Radio Ensemble during the open air cinema weekend.