Our Garden

During Covid we spent time outside, creating our own space and imagining what we could do to improve the rear of the building, especially as we were using that access instead of the shared corridor at the front of the building. The York-stone pathway was badly cracked and, being north facing, the rear of the building suffered from algae growing on the path and that we were constantly jet washing - but that was also damaging the jointing. The Frankby Hall Auction document described the space to the rear of the building as being a 'glass covered walkway' between the main house and Billiard Room. We wanted to recreate the walkway but after several consultations, we realised that a glass ceiling wasn't going to pass planning requirements regarding egress out of the building in case of fire.  A proposal to recreate the walkway with a slate roof along with sustainable drainage from the new roof was submitted to Wirral Council and consent to proceed granted on 30th September 2022.

We've had many comments saying that the covered walkway looks as though it's always been part of the original building - which is great as that was always the intention. The York-stone pathway was going to be very expensive to repair with only 4 fully intact full size slabs along a 10 metre length. Wirral Council were very supportive and after a number of meetings it was decided that a proper parking area would be created using sustainable drainage. It freed up parking for services in the chapels and as much of the original York-stone pathway as possible would be retained. We built raised planters for the soil we excavated for garden areas, recycling old timber and off-cuts wherever possible.