Fort Perch Rock History Tours & Events

Fort Perch Rock History Tours & Events Tales of the Mersey at Fort Perch Rock - Smugglers, Ghost Tales, Victorian Crimes, WW2 History, Maritime Myths & Legends, Secret Tunnels & More.

Located on the Banks of the River Mersey inside a Napoleonic Battery Explore New Brighton Tours - Taking you to the Historic & Hidden Locations around the Seaside Resort. Operating tours for over 15 years

Our Tours are hosted by BSc Hons Historian & Author Tony Franks-Buckley who Graduated with Honours at Liverpool John Moores University and holds a Degree in Modern History. He has also Published

9 Books on Local History and Historical Fiction. Tony is also the National-Vice Chairman of the Italy Star Association. The main Allied Veterans Organisation of WW2 Campaigns in Italy. Tony is a true local having grown up in New Brighton. Tony is also a regular visitor to the Normandy Landings in France and has been operating as a WW2 Historian for the UK. Featuring on BBC, Channel 5, YouTube and Forces TV

The Old Liscard Vale Quarry and the Captain Molyneux Estate before the Tower Grounds Construction beganIn days gone by, ...
15/06/2026

The Old Liscard Vale Quarry and the Captain Molyneux Estate before the Tower Grounds Construction began

In days gone by, The Smugglers utilised this plot of land to walk under Moonlight along the shoreline to Mother Redcaps Tavern with their Contraband.

By the end of the 19th Century, the Legends of Smugglers and the Liscard Vale Witches were quietened to entice people to visit the area.

Those Legends live on.......

Come and join us at Fort Perch Rock for our Tales of the Mersey Evenings. We have Legendary Penny Dreadful Victorian Crime Tales and Ghost Stories from around the Wirral. Book Now https://wallasey-days-gone-by.sumupstore.com/product/tales-of-the-mersey-talks-at-fort-perch-rock

The Tivoli Theatre in New BrightonDuring WW2, the Theatre had to close but it gave special showings to the US Army whom ...
15/06/2026

The Tivoli Theatre in New Brighton

During WW2, the Theatre had to close but it gave special showings to the US Army whom were camped next door on the Tower Sports Stadium

The Tivoli Theatre was opened on the Tower Promenade at the foot of Egerton Street on 6th April 1914 with Lily Langtry topping the bill. The theatre was close to the pier with shops facing the River Mersey and an open-air cafe above.

After WW2, it opened again in 1945 with 'Lean Productions Limited' as the new owners. Bob Scullery became the new manager of the theatre. After many seasons of plays the theatre closed in April 1955.

Later the theatre was transformed into an amusement arcade but by the 1970s it was boarded up.

In 1976 the building was demolished after it had suffered a fire.

Come and join us at Fort Perch Rock for our Tales of the Mersey Evenings. We have Legendary Penny Dreadful Victorian Crime Tales and Ghost Stories from around the Wirral. Book Now https://wallasey-days-gone-by.sumupstore.com/product/tales-of-the-mersey-talks-at-fort-perch-rock

The Secret Tunnels of St Hilary’sNo tunnels are currently accessible from St Hilary’s at the present date, and the vault...
15/06/2026

The Secret Tunnels of St Hilary’s

No tunnels are currently accessible from St Hilary’s at the present date, and the vault beneath the old tower was covered by a tiled floor in the late nineteenth century. But according to the rector, Canon Paul Robinson, one of the parishioners remembers going down a tunnel in the thirties, below Swinton Old Hall, the site of the modern rectory, a few hundred yards away from the old tower. According to Joseph Ruiz, a well exists beneath the front sitting room of the old rectory, fifteen feet wide and 350 feet deep, and it is believed to lead to a tunnel; this is also mentioned in an article in the Wirral News . The article refers to a legend that says an underground passage leads from the rectory to the church (presumably the old tower) and then on to Mother Redcap’s. It goes on to maintain that the Old Rectory was a cache for gun-runners during the reign of Charles II. Oral tradition mentions a smugglers’ tunnel leading from one of the graves in the churchyard.

Come and join us at Fort Perch Rock for our Tales of the Mersey Evenings. We have Legendary Penny Dreadful Victorian Crime Tales and Ghost Stories from around the Wirral. Book Now https://wallasey-days-gone-by.sumupstore.com/product/tales-of-the-mersey-talks-at-fort-perch-rock

There are many local legends about the Wallasey Smugglers and what they got up toOn one occasion, a ship was wrecked on ...
15/06/2026

There are many local legends about the Wallasey Smugglers and what they got up to

On one occasion, a ship was wrecked on the sandbank near to Ye Black Rock (New Brighton) and her captain's body was washed ashore.

The Wallasey Smugglers took the clothes from the body and even cut off a finger in order to get the ring before the co**se could be taken away for the inquest. A woman even bit off the ears of a drowning woman in order to get the earrings. The old caves, known as 'The Worm Holes' were used by smugglers and wreckers. These caves ran well inland and once a smuggler or wrecker went in the tunnels it was a very difficult job to catch him. The situation became serious as the Coastguards and others were unable to bring the offenders to justice.

Come and join us at Fort Perch Rock for our Tales of the Mersey Evenings. We have Legendary Penny Dreadful Victorian Crime Tales and Ghost Stories from around the Wirral. Book Now https://wallasey-days-gone-by.sumupstore.com/product/tales-of-the-mersey-talks-at-fort-perch-rock

The Beautiful New Brighton Tower GardensThe whole area covered 35 acres. There was a large Japanese Cafe at the lakeside...
15/06/2026

The Beautiful New Brighton Tower Gardens

The whole area covered 35 acres. There was a large Japanese Cafe at the lakeside, where the real Gondoliers had Venetian Gondolas. There was also a fountain and seal pond in the old quarry, with its rockery. Then there was the Parisian Tea Garden where one could enjoy a cup of tea and watch the pierrots. Situated in the trees was a restaurant called 'The Rock Point Castle' .

Come and join us at Fort Perch Rock for our Tales of the Mersey Evenings. We have Legendary Penny Dreadful Victorian Crime Tales and Ghost Stories from around the Wirral. Book Now https://wallasey-days-gone-by.sumupstore.com/product/tales-of-the-mersey-talks-at-fort-perch-rock

Old Wallasey Customs and Superstitions It was held to be particularly unlucky for a burial to take place on the north si...
14/06/2026

Old Wallasey Customs and Superstitions

It was held to be particularly unlucky for a burial to take place on the north side of a church. This came from a belief that the northern part was for the burial of unbaptized children, excommunicated people, and suicides. It was also where the bodies of strangers drowned during shipwrecks were buried, something that was seen as the duty of anyone who found a body on the shore; should they fail in this duty, the ghost of the drowned person would haunt them.

Come and join us at Fort Perch Rock for our Tales of the Mersey Evenings. We have Legendary Penny Dreadful Victorian Crime Tales and Ghost Stories from around the Wirral. Book Now https://wallasey-days-gone-by.sumupstore.com/product/tales-of-the-mersey-talks-at-fort-perch-rock

Death at the New Brighton TowerMany people have a fear of lifts, and for good reason...In 1901, there was a terrible tra...
14/06/2026

Death at the New Brighton Tower

Many people have a fear of lifts, and for good reason...

In 1901, there was a terrible tragedy in one of the lifts travelling up the New Brighton Tower. The Newspapers at the time recorded it as follows:

THE DANGER OF LIFTS. CRUSHED TO DEATH AT NEW BRIGHTON TOWER.
Bolton Evening News - Tuesday 30 July 1901
A shocking accident occurred Monday night New Brighton Tower, whereby lad of thirteen, John Hoult. residing at Wavertree, met with a sudden and tern bio death. Young Holt, intent spending pleasant day New Brighton, in the evening, a companion, visited the Tower. used tho auxiliary lift which connects the ground floor of the Tower with the elevator hall, from which point the Tower lift starts, and pulled the rope the former soon the attendant stepped aside to let out the passengers descending. Tho result was that the auxiliary lift moved rapidly upward. This startled young Hoult that be attempted to jump out of toe cage, when was crushed in a frightful manner between the top the doorway and the frame of the lift. Death must have been instantaneous, for the boy neck, on examination, dislocated, and his body shockingly mangled.

Come and join us at Fort Perch Rock for our Tales of the Mersey Evenings. We have Legendary Penny Dreadful Victorian Crime Tales and Ghost Stories from around the Wirral. Book Now https://wallasey-days-gone-by.sumupstore.com/product/tales-of-the-mersey-talks-at-fort-perch-rock

Address

Fort Perch Rock Battery
Wallasey
CH452JU

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 3pm
Wednesday 10am - 3pm
Thursday 10am - 10pm
Friday 10am - 11:30pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Fort Perch Rock History Tours & Events posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share