Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Charlotte Hadfield

Inside Merseyside's hidden rooms from an underground farm to a lost train station

If you're born and bred in Liverpool you may think you know about everything the city has to offer.

But underneath walkways and behind closed doors, the city has some secrets that not everyone knows about.

From a farm hidden beneath the Baltic Triangle to a tunnel with mysterious faces on the walls, there are curious sights to discover in Liverpool and across the region.

We took a look at some of Merseyside's hidden rooms to offer a glimpse inside some lesser seen parts of our area.

Let us know your favourites and if we've missed any in the comments below.

New Brighton Lighthouse

On the corner of the Wirral peninsula, New Brighton lighthouse is one of the most treasured sights in the region.

And although we are all familiar with the iconic white granite structure, many of us haven't seen what's hidden inside.

The lighthouse was first built in 1827 and was then known as the Perch Rock Lighthouse.

It has not been in use since October 1, 1973, but is still maintained, and these pictures show what's inside it.

(Liverpool Echo)

Littlewoods Bunker

The entrance to the Littlewoods bunker underneath Wavertree Park. Photo credit: Kyle May (Kyle May)

Tucked underneath a Liverpool park, this secret tunnel has attracted the attention of photographers and urban explorers alike, for the mysterious faces that line the walls.

The tunnel, which sits under Wavertree Botanic Gardens, is thought to have been built before World War Two and later used as an air raid shelter for staff at the famous Littlewood's site.

The Littlewoods bunker underneath Wavertree botanic gardens. Photo credit: Kyle May (Kyle May)

Known to many in the area for the part it played in protecting workers at the Littlewood's factory nearby during the blitz - during which Liverpool was the second most bombed city in the UK - the bunker has 13 entrances and is 300m long.

But one mystery which remains is the faces on the walls of one section of the bunker, which have initials underneath them.

These are some of the amazing illustrations found on the walls of the bunker underneath Wavertree Botanic Gardens. Photo credit: Kyle May (Kyle May)

Farm underneath the Baltic Triangle

(Farm Urban)

Underneath the streets of the Baltic Triangle and inside a Victorian tunnel, Liverpool-based social enterprise Farm Urban have created a subterranean oasis.

Using hydroponics, they have created a space for growing leafy greens and herbs whatever the weather.

Based in the basement of the Liverpool Life Sciences UTC school on Parliament Street, the farm, has been several years in the making and aims to provide sustainable, healthy food for the local community.

(Farm Urban)

Local businesses can receive boxes of freshly grown perishable leafy greens, delivered by bicycle, and can also order a produce pod or even an edible wall.

Hidden house

(Liverpool Echo)

Located deep inside the tunnels that run between Liverpool Lime Street station on the way from Edge Hill, a tiny house is hidden away.

Many of us may have passed the miniature house on our way to work, without even knowing it was there.

(Liverpool Echo)

It was built more than 100 years ago by track workers taking their breaks, representing a hidden part of the city's history.

While the house sits close to one of Liverpool's busiest commuter lines, it can only be accessed when trains aren't running.

Smithdown Road Station

(Liverpool Echo/Colin Lane)

You may have noticed the paint shop by the railway bridge in Smithdown Road, but did you know it was once home to a railway station?

The white-painted C&G Finishes buildings sits between the railway track and a sandwich shop next door.

But the unassuming building was once Sefton Park Station, serving customers heading from Liverpool to Manchester, Crewe and Chester.

(Liverpool Echo/Colin Lane)

Sefton Park Station closed its doors in May 1960 but from the narrow yard outside, the building is still recognisable as a station thanks to its brick arches.

C&G Finishes today specialises in painting metalwork from bike frames to radiators and even parts of planes.

Western Approaches Museum

Many of us would walk to work through Liverpool's Exchange Flags each day (under normal circumstances).

But what some of us don't know is that beneath our feet lies a precious piece of history - the Western Approaches Museum.

The museum is a place that was previously a command centre for Navy, Air Force and Marines tracking enemies during the Second World War.

Today, it offers visitors the chance to gain insight into Liverpool’s role in the war and explore the enormous underground bunker.

The revolutionary old dock

Thousands of shopper walk past this innocent looking window that looks down inside the secret tour of Liverpool's historic Old Dock - underneath Liverpool One. (James Maloney/Liverpool Echo)

Everyday people pass by this unassuming window next to Liverpool ONE, but how many of us have noticed it was there?

Beneath the glass viewpoint, you'll find Liverpool's Old Dock and the creek from which the city derives its name.

The Old Dock was the world's first commercial wet dock, while the creek which the dock was built on is a rare natural inlet coming in from the River Mersey.

These hidden gems have been preserved underneath Liverpool ONE and Merseyside Maritime Museum showcases them on their free tours.

(James Maloney/Liverpool Echo)

The revolutionary Old Dock was discovered during excavations in 2001, after being buried since 1826.

Developers Grosvenor safeguarded the dock and made a portion of it publicly accessible as an important reminder of Liverpool's history.

Leaf Bold Street

LEAF on Bold Street (Trinity Mirror NW2)

While everyone has heard of Leaf on Bold Street, they may not know the history that's hidden inside.

Long before the popular cafe called number 65-67 Bold Street their home, the beautiful building had a long and colourful history.

Formely known as the 'yamen cafe' back in the 1920's, the tea room held regular tea dances in the ball room above.

Today the upstairs of the building where the popular tea dances were once held, is used as a function room for live gigs and events.

Flavio's Italian

The restaurant is pared back and features chalkboard menus on the walls (Liverpool Echo)

Italian restaurant Flavio's can be found on Tarbock Road in Huyton, but don't be surprised if you miss it the first time around.

Based inside a former petrol station, the Italian restaurant is peculiar at first sight.

But once inside, diners are transported away, enjoying an array of delicious pasta dishes, pizza and more.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.