The park was one of the first Victorian Parks in Liverpool and was based on designs by Edward Kemp. An aviary was built to house exotic birds but was demolished in the 1930’s, the birds then housed in Sefton Park. There was also a band stand, a boating lake, a fishing lake and five fountains. Newsham Park was used for a lot of sporting events, and there were three bowling greens, two of which still remain. The park has two listed buildings in it, Newsham House and the Seaman's Orphanage.
Liverpool Seamen's Orphan Institution, Newsham Park
Newsham House was built at the end of the 18th century by Thomas Molyneaux. In 1868, it was bought by Liverpool Corporation for £80,000 to become the lodgings for judges in Liverpool.
Queen Victoria and her entourage stayed there on their last visit to Liverpool in 1886. The house was refurbished for her visit and was lit by electric lights. Other visitors to Newsham House included Princess Beatrice in 1886, the Duke of Connaught in 1892 and the Duke and Duchess of York in 1893. The house is still in use as judges' lodgings.
A view of Newsham Park Aviary.