The Boathouse, Birkenhead Park

Birkenhead Park was designed by Sir Joseph Paxton in 1843 and was officially opened by Lord Morpeth in 1847.  It was the first publicly funded park in Britain and its design is said to have inspired Olmstead's plans for Central Park in New York.

The Boathouse was designed by a young Liverpool architect called Lewis Hornblower and was completed in time for the opening of the park.

In 1990, the Mobil Oil Company sponsored the restoration of the Boathouse and mosaicist Maggy Howarth was commissioned to design a pebble mosaic for the floor.

In the center of the pebble mosaic is a round plaque which bears the inscription 'The Boathouse 1847'. This forms the middle of a sun motif.

The plaque is surrounded by various designs including birds, flowers and a sun/moon image.

Surrounding the entire mosaic is a border composed of a repeat fish design.