Life on hidden street of mansions just off a busy flyover

Birkenhead: So, there’s this cool street called Clifton Road that feels like a hidden gem. It’s just off the busy Borough Road, but once you’re there, it’s like stepping into a different world. You can hardly hear the traffic from the flyovers nearby, and it’s super peaceful.

This street is part of Clifton Park, which is known for its stunning old mansions. These houses were built way back in the 1840s by a famous architect named Walter Scott. If they were in London, they’d be worth a fortune! The idea was to make people feel like they were living in the countryside, even though they were in a growing town.

There’s a lot of history here too. Some big names from Merseyside’s past lived on this street, like the architect Lewis Hornblower. He designed the entrance to Birkenhead Park, and there’s also F E Smith, who became Lord Chancellor. Pretty impressive, right?

Clifton Road was once the go-to place for wealthy merchants. They loved the views of Liverpool across the River Mersey. Nowadays, the mansions are home to regular families who appreciate the unique vibe of the area.

Recently, the ECHO visited a family living in one of these grand homes. Aakhila, her husband Hassan, and their kids, Hasim and Hala, have been living there since 2004. They absolutely adore their six-bedroom mansion, which was originally built for two merchant brothers.

Hassan says it’s a fantastic place to live. The neighbors are great, and the location is perfect for getting to Liverpool. The house itself is everything you’d expect from a Victorian mansion—high ceilings, spacious rooms, and beautiful sandstone exterior with intricate carvings.

Interestingly, their home is Grade II listed, which means it’s protected from being torn down or changed too much. They’ve kept all the original features, which is pretty cool. But it does come with some challenges. If they want to make any changes, they have to get permission from the council.

They’ve had to deal with some upkeep, like roof leaks and wear on the sandstone. But overall, they think spending around £40,000 over 20 years isn’t too bad for such an old property.

Sadly, some of the original villas have been replaced with modern flats over the years, which has changed the character of the area. But thanks to the conservation status of Clifton Park, this lovely street and its historic homes will be around for future generations. As Hassan says, “They don’t make them like they used to.”