local history

Valley Viewpoint

Liverpool saw huge growth after the First World War as suburbs spread across open countryside, absorbing villages and transforming communities. This has been an ongoing process since the agricultural and industrial revolutions helped boost Britain into a global power. A combination of technical innovations, manufacturing and commercial enterprise saw the United Kingdom’s influence spread throughout the world.

Liverpool played a key role with its trade links across the British Empire, spreading to numerous other countries. Thousands of people flocked to the port not only to emigrate but also to settle permanently. The incomers needed to be housed and services such as schools were essential in the wake of social reform.

The railways fuelled urbanisation from 1830 as lines began to crisscross the country. The process had begun with improved roads in the 18th century. However, the new train services encouraged growing numbers of people to commute. Lines had stations at regular intervals to encourage passengers. Developers bought up land around stations to build attractive villas for well-off professionals and others. Despite having a relatively short-lived train station between 1879 and 1931, Childwall largely escaped development until the 1930s.

This view of Childwall Valley was drawn by Liverpool architect and artist William Stubbs in about 1850. Childwall Church can be seen in the distance with a few houses clustered around. All Saints is Liverpool’s only surviving substantial medieval church with some 14th-century masonry and windows. The building has been altered over the centuries: the tower was rebuilt in 1810 and an aisle was added in 1906. There are