11 Reasons why we absolutely love Toxteth

Lush green parks, an array of shops and restaurants plus a brilliantly diverse community make Toxteth an exciting place to visit and to live.

Since the notorious riots of the eighties, Toxteth has come a long way.

The popular area originally started out as part of a royal park before it developed into the residential hub we know today. 

Over the years, Toxteth has endured some bad press, but we want to highlight what a great place the area truly is. 

Here are just a few of our favourite things about Toxteth…

The parks

Princes Park

Toxteth has two parks in its borders and both of them are pretty iconic.

Princes Park, which was the first major park created by architect and MP Joseph Paxton, is a vast green space with a park and serene lake.

While historic Sefton Park is 235 acres of greenery, gardens, a lake and the imposing yet stunning Palm House, which regularly hosts a range of events.

The parks are an ideal way to escape city life and reconnect with nature.

They’re also incredibly beautiful, which always helps.

The Library

An impressive red brick building just a stone’s throw from the famous Anglican Cathedral, Toxteth library provides visitors with access to ancestry research, reading groups and a large collection of Chinese books.  

The inclusive building is an ideal spot for families to meet for some reading with the kids. 

Shops galore

There’s plenty of shops to get lost in throughout Toxteth.

You can get yourself a new carpet, wardrobe or even a life-size cardboard cut out of the Queen (yes, really) from some of the shops on High Park Street.

There’s also a Tesco superstore and B&M on Park Road, so if you want something a little more practical than a cardboard cut out of our monarch, you’ll be spoilt for choice. 

Fire Fit Hub

This community centre boasts state of art facilities specifically created to provide young residents in the area with a range of sports and activities. 

It was designed by young people, for young people and offers Toxteth’s youth a safe, creative and diverse space to learn and develop new skills while letting off some steam.

The architecture

If you wander around Toxteth, you’ll likely strain your neck looking up at all the incredible buildings.

There’s the grand Georgian terraces that often provide doubles for London properties in many films and TV shows and if you go for a walk down Princes Avenue or Princes Road, the streets are lined with huge houses – many of which have been converted into flats, but they’re still pretty darn impressive. 

Oh, and there’s a giant swan’s head rising from the garden of one property on Princes Road.

No, we’re not joking.

The independent retailers

Squash

Independent furniture shops, cafes and newsagents are abundant in Toxteth.

On Windsor Street, there’s a community-built, eco-friendly centre named Squash specialising in home-grown and organic produce. 

The creative hub is a cafe, events space and shop so there’s sure to be something for even the most vehement of Toxteth opposers. 

Culture

Princes Road Synagogue

The area is rich in cultural spots, particularly when it comes to places of worship.

Alongside a number of churches, there’s the Al-Rahma Mosque on Hatherly Street which is open to all visitors, regardless of their faith.

There’s also the Princes Road Synagogue, a huge renowned building which is the home of the Liverpool Old Hebrew Congregation.

The disused Welsh Presbyterian Church and Wellington Road Chapel are worth checking out too, for the rich history they offer the area. 

The creativity

In an area so culturally diverse, it’ll likely come as no surprise that Toxteth is a hotbed of creativity.

Toxteth TV, for example, is a multi-use venue that offers training and support for those wishing to explore media and the arts.

As well as being a creative space for the community, the venue works closely with some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in society to help them develop new skills and explore their creative passions.

Outstanding schools

There are some impressive schools in the area of Toxteth.

Within a ten minute walk of one another are St Partick’s Catholic Primary School, Windsor Community Primary School and St Silas School, which were all deemed Outstanding by Ofsted.

Not bad, eh?

The street art

Along the wall of the Metropolitan Methodist Centre on the corner of Princes Avenue is a striking mural that showcases some of Liverpool’s most iconic features.

Created by Honduran artist Javier Espinal and local children, the art work includes depictions of the Liver Building, Toxteth footballer Nikita Parris, a waterfall and the Anglican cathedral.

It’s definitely worth tracking down for a nosy at the vibrant creation. 

The community spirit

When the eco-friendly cafe and shop, Squash, was the victim of an arson attack, it was the local residents who came together to help rebuild the centre.

While school children from neighbouring school, Windsor Community Primary School, held a disco with the proceeds donated to help fund the rebuild.

The people of Toxteth make it what it is today – a welcoming, creative and inclusive part of our great city.  

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