A stay in Kirkby can be shaped around very different interests: architectural history, changing gallery exhibitions, landscapes, cycling or encounters with animals. Specific places to explore include St Chad’s Church, with its earlier history, Kirkby Gallery, the Kirkby Heritage Walk, Millbrook Park Millennium Green, Mill Dam Park, Acorn Farm and the covered market. This mix can help you decide which themes you want to shape your stay: a historic building, an exhibition programme, a route through a natural area or an encounter with animals each offers a different focus.
History and Changing Art
Construction of the present-day St Chad’s Church began in 1869. It was built on the site of an earlier chapel, which is believed to have been Norman in origin. The dated start of construction of the present building and a probable earlier history therefore come together at the same site. For anyone interested in Kirkby’s architectural and church history, the church offers a specific connection to the town’s development.
Kirkby Gallery offers a different cultural focus. Its main exhibition space hosts three major temporary exhibitions each year. The wide-ranging programme draws on collections from national and regional collections, as well as contributions from regional galleries. The focus of a visit therefore changes, shaped by different collections and galleries. If you are interested in a particular exhibition, you can check the current programme before your visit. For a cultural focus, two different interests sit side by side here: the history of a religious building or a programme of changing exhibitions.
Heritage Walk, Parks and Cycling
The green spaces and outdoor activities also offer different points of interest. The Kirkby Heritage Walk passes through Millbrook Park Millennium Green, an area of natural beauty with a variety of habitats. Millbrook Park Millennium Green has also received a Green Flag Award. The Kirkby Heritage Walk is part of a wider programme of heritage walks around six conservation areas in the borough. This borough-wide heritage walk programme was developed in partnership with Merseyside Guides. Mill Dam Park has a different connection: it is part of the Kirkby Cycle Route. The Heritage Walk is therefore better suited to an interest in landscapes and local history, while Mill Dam Park is a specific point of interest for cyclists.
Animal Experiences and the Market
Acorn Farm is a family-friendly attraction in Kirkby. Visitors can feed and pet many animals there. This hands-on experience with animals sets it apart from the church’s architectural history and the gallery’s changing exhibitions. For families who consider animals an important part of choosing activities, Acorn Farm offers a specific reason to include it in their plans.
The covered Kirkby Market adds a market visit to the mix. It has more than 130 stalls; the number may change.
For an overview of the wider trip: Knowsley.
