Calderstones House

Calderstones House in Liverpool is a Grade II listed mansion from the 1820s, set in the middle of Calderstones Park in the south of the city. It is one of the most rewarding stops on a walk through this green corner of Liverpool.

What is the story behind Calderstones House?

Merchant Joseph Need Walker had the house built in 1828, and his family lived there until 1875. The estate then passed to Charles MacIver, a co-founder of the Cunard shipping line. In 1902 the MacIver heirs handed the property to Liverpool Corporation, which opened it as a public park. The neighbouring Harthill estate was added soon afterwards, and the park now covers roughly 126 acres.

Through the twentieth century the building housed the council's parks department offices, a tea room and cafe, and for a time a flat. An open-air theatre was laid out behind it in 1945-47. In 2013 the reading charity The Reader took it over, and it now runs the building as the Mansion House.

What can you see here?

You can admire the house from the park paths, and the gardens around it look best in summer. The former stable block, dating from about 1828, has its own Grade II listing. Elsewhere in the park you will find playgrounds, a cafe and an ice cream parlour, which makes it an easy half-day outing for families.

Can you go inside?

The main park is open 24 hours a day all year, while the garden areas close at different times depending on the season. Opening hours for the Mansion House, cafe and other facilities vary, and published sources disagree, so check with The Reader before making a special trip. The house garden has been opened during Heritage Open Days, usually on a Sunday in September from 11am to 5pm.

How do you get there?

Entrances are on Calderstones Road, Allerton Road, Harthill Road and Yew Tree Road, with car parks at the Calderstones Road and Yew Tree entrances. The park lies about 6 km south-east of Liverpool city centre and is reachable by local bus or car.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring and summer show the gardens at their best, and the cafe keeps longer hours. September offers the chance to see the garden during Heritage Open Days. A winter walk is still pleasant, but garden areas shut earlier.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee for the park? No. The park is public and open around the clock; only events held in the building may be ticketed.

Is Calderstones House a listed building? Yes. It has been Grade II listed since 1975, and the stables are listed separately.

Who runs the house today? The Reader, a Liverpool-based literature organisation, which acquired it in 2013. Before that it served as council offices.

How long should I allow? One to two hours covers the house and gardens, and half a day if you explore the whole park and stop at the cafe.