Calderstones Park in Liverpool, UK is home to an infamous tree said to be about 1,000 years old. Known as the ‘Law Oak’ (or the ‘Allerton Oak’), stories say that before official buildings, it was used as an outdoor courtroom of sorts. At large, Calderstones Park itself is said to be even older than the infamous Stonehenge monument.
Additionally, Calderstones Park has a lake, where kids and families can feed geese and ducks rice balls. The park incorporates the Harthill Botanical Gardens, which features an array of almost 4,000 species of plants. Mansion House on the grounds provides visitors with access to a cafe and an additional child-friendly play area.
The Law Oak - one of the highlights of 10 Things to Do Off the Beaten Track in Liverpool (Read all about Liverpool here)
photo by Mike Pennington (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
Highlights of the Law Oak
With 94 acres to explore, if you’re up to enjoy all of Calderstones Park, it could easily be perfect for a long afternoon, especially if you’d like to pack a picnic lunch or grab a bite to eat at the Reader Café—or even grab dessert at the Ice Cream Parlor afterward.
If you have younger children, check out the Storybarn in the park, which regularly hosts a range of events designed to engage children and families in the love of reading. The playground on site has items for toddlers, younger children and older children alike.
photo by Mike Pennington (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
Good to know when visiting the Law Oak
Visitors would be remiss not to do a little research beforehand on Calderstones Park’s namesake, which is 6 neolithic sandstone boulders remaining from a dolmen, available to view at the park itself.
Calderstones Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, while hours for the Storybarn, Reader Café, and gardens vary. Close by, visitors can visit the Archer’s Stone, a sandstone menhir with Early Bronze Age cup and ring markings. Local folklore has crafted unique ideas about the stone, and it’s also often referred to as Robin Hood’s Stone. For music fans, infamous Beatles landmarks rest nearby, such as Strawberry Field and Penny Lane.
photo by Sue Adair (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
The Law Oak
Location: Calderstones Mansion House, Calderstones Rd, Liverpool L18 3JB, UK
Open: 24/7
Phone: +44 151 233 3000
Start planning your trip
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The Municipal Hotel Liverpool - MGallery
Hotel Indigo Liverpool City Centre, an IHG Hotel
The Resident Liverpool
Maldron Hotel Liverpool City
Britannia Adelphi Hotel
Hard Days Night Hotel
30 James Street
The Shankly Hotel
The Halyard Liverpool, Vignette Collection, an IHG Hotel
