Hydraulic Tower, Birkenhead

Originally designed by engineer Jesse Hartley in 1868, Hydraulic Tower is a derelict pumping station and hydraulic accumulator that supplied hydraulic power to Birkenhead Docks. The 110 ft tower and building sustained considerable damage from bombing during the Second World War and was repaired in a functional, rather than architectural style. The large lantern at the top of the tower was not replaced. The tower is in possession of Peel L&P and will be part of their regeneration project, Wirral Waters and are set to revive this maritime icon as the Maritime Knowledge Hub, an industry led international centre of maritime innovation, research, development and trade.

 

How to get there

Address: Hydraulic Tower, Tower Road, Wirral Waters, Birkenhead, Wallasey CH41 1AA

Please note that locally the tower is known as Hydraulic Tower, but may also be named Central Hydraulic Tower.

 

Road (via the M6) 

Leave the M6 at junction 20 and join the M56 towards Runcorn. Leave the M56 at junction 15 and join the M53 towards Ellesmere Port & Birkenhead. Leave the M53 at the third slip road exit of junction 3 to join the A552. Remain on the A552 (Borough Road) until the junction with A5029 (Exmouth Street). Turn left. Continue on A5029 (Rendel Street). The tower is in front of the roundabout on the A554 (Tower Road). Limited blue badge parking will be available – please get in touch at access@andfestival.org.uk if we can help to facilitate your access needs.

There is no parking available on site, but there are two car parks just a short walk away:

  • Price Street Car Park (500 spaces), Birkenhead CH41 4JQ, a 15 minute walk
  • Elgin Way Car Park (45 spaces), Birkenhead CH41 1BF, a 10 minute walk
  • Or it’s a 15 minute walk to on-street parking in Hamilton Square

For information about local car parks, please visit Wirral Pay and Display

 

Train

The nearest station is Hamilton Square and is served by trains from Merseyside and Cheshire. It is then a 0.7 mile (13 min) walk to the tower. 

 

Bus

Please contact Merseytravel on 0151 236 7676 for timetable and route details.

 

Bike

We would like to encourage audience members to cycle to AND Festival 2021 events if this is an option for you. The Hydraulic Tower is a 5 minute bike ride from Woodside Ferry Village. If you are also attending an event at Bidston Observatory, we have created a suggested cycle route for both events on Komoot. Both venues have bike racks available (for the Hydraulic Tower the bike racks at Wirral Metropolitan College will be available for use which is situated next to the tower).

 

Kali Malone‘s immersive audio experience Does Spring Hide Its Joy will be presented at Central Hydraulic Tower as part of AND Festival 2021.

Useful links