Car Hire Birkenhead

This town is perfectly placed for coastal fun or a city adventure, being that it’s just across the water from Liverpool and minutes away from the seaside. Hiring a car in Birkenhead lets you explore its illustrious history, before hitting the open road to discover the best of the north-west.

Liverpool itself is only 10-15 minutes away through the Queensway Tunnel, which takes you across the Mersey river. Here you can walk in the footsteps of The Beatles, explore its Victorian docks or immerse yourself in its many museums and galleries.

South of Birkenhead, the Roman city of Chester is under an hour’s drive via the M53. Walk the historic walls, visit England’s largest Roman Amphitheatre or find fun for the whole family by checking out the vast array of wildlife found at Chester Zoo.

The Welsh border is also only half an hour away, giving you easy access to north Wales’ top attractions – from imposing castles to rugged coastlines.

Away from the hustle and bustle of Liverpool, driving in Birkenhead is relatively easy. There’s also plenty of parking to be found dotted about the town, from short-stay street parking, to all day multi-storey carparks.

Driving in Birkenhead and around the UK is similar to driving back home. You’ll still drive on the left and many of the rules are the same, such as the fact that seatbelts must always be worn, and you cannot use a mobile while driving.

However, speed limits are displayed in miles per hour. On motorways and dual carriageways, this tends to be 70mph (112km/h) unless otherwise signed, while single carriageways in rural areas often have maximums of 60mph (96km/h).

In towns and cities, this typically drops to 30mph (48km/h), with certain zones in residential areas or near schools slowing down to 20mph (32km/h). Always check signs for the route that you are on, as these can vary.

Settled on the Wirral Peninsula, along the River Mersey, Birkenhead has a rich history and a promising future.

There’s plenty to do in this small town, from relaxing in the world’s first publicly-funded civic park to exploring the many museums and galleries dotted around its centre. With your hire car, once you’ve soaked up Birkenhead’s charm you can drive across the river to Liverpool, around the nearby coast – or further inland towards Manchester and Chester.

Splendid parks and coastal wonders

One of the many alluring features of the town is Birkenhead Park. Opened in 1847 by architect Joseph Paxton, it was coined as a ‘park for the people’, as the industrial revolution had lowered people’s health and spirit, and this was designed to revitalise it.

You can visit to experience its luscious greenery and open spaces to recoup and relax. There are two lakes, a Roman Boathouse, a visitor centre, a playground and much more to enjoy.

Just north of Birkenhead, along the scenic west coastline, is New Brighton, a seaside resort featuring beautiful sandy shorelines and green spaces. The Marine Promenade provides a perfect stroll around the water, with several restaurants and bars to be found along the way.

Towards the peak of the resort is New Brighton Beach, with its striking lighthouse jutted out to sea. There’s also the ‘Little Gibraltar of the Mersey’, a defensive fort built to protect Liverpool’s port, now housing a museum on its maritime history.

Strawberry Fields Forever

Make sure you take the short drive across the water and explore the delights of Liverpool. There’s much to be celebrated in this portside city. It’s the birthplace of The Beatles, one of the greatest bands of all time, as well as two famous football teams and a wealth of history, culture and attractions.

Embark on an epic tour across the city where John, Paul, George and Ringo met and formed the famous quartet. The Beatles Story on Albert Dock is an inspiring museum featuring their original instruments, the story of their lives and rare photography.

Park up your hire car and spend an evening in the city with a visit to the Cavern Club. It was here that The Beatles discovered their sound during their early years and is still used as a venue to promote new and upcoming acts.

Historic sights

Just under an hour away, the ancient city of Chester awaits. Originally founded as a Roman fortress, every crevice inside this atmospheric destination has a story to tell.

Simply wandering the streets will give you a feel for its history, with Tudor houses and Georgian gateways arching overhead, along with the historic walls which encapsulate the city.

It’s well worth visiting Chester’s Roman Amphitheatre, the largest of its kind in England. It served multiple purposes during the Roman occupation of the city, including entertainment and military training.

From Roman ruins to Rock n’ Roll, experience all north-west England has to offer with a hire car from Birkenhead.