The boom for Rock Ferry came in the early 19th century with the rise of the ferry and the
establishment of the Royal Rock Hotel and bath house in 1836. Shortly after in 1910, the Olympian
Pleasure Gardens were opened sited directly adjacent to the Royal Rock Hotel. These gardens were
considered premiere for the time drawing in visitors from not only Liverpool but also further afield.
The gardens hosted classical piano concerts and also slapstick comedy shows, with performers
including Arthur Askey and Tommy Handley. At times the gardens held a prestige similar to the more
famous Vauxhall Gardens in London. Shows were held in a large tent set amongst the trees and
shrubs of land owned by Charles Boult. The gardens closed in the late 1920s after Mr Boult's death.
In the 1950s the Royal Rock Hotel had also began to fall into decline, mainly because of the lack of
visitors now due to the closure of the ferry service. By the 1980s the building was closed and
prepared for demolition. Today all that remains are the scattered remains of some masonry hidden
amongst undergrowth and foliage.
establishment of the Royal Rock Hotel and bath house in 1836. Shortly after in 1910, the Olympian
Pleasure Gardens were opened sited directly adjacent to the Royal Rock Hotel. These gardens were
considered premiere for the time drawing in visitors from not only Liverpool but also further afield.
The gardens hosted classical piano concerts and also slapstick comedy shows, with performers
including Arthur Askey and Tommy Handley. At times the gardens held a prestige similar to the more
famous Vauxhall Gardens in London. Shows were held in a large tent set amongst the trees and
shrubs of land owned by Charles Boult. The gardens closed in the late 1920s after Mr Boult's death.
In the 1950s the Royal Rock Hotel had also began to fall into decline, mainly because of the lack of
visitors now due to the closure of the ferry service. By the 1980s the building was closed and
prepared for demolition. Today all that remains are the scattered remains of some masonry hidden
amongst undergrowth and foliage.
| The remains of the Royal Rock Hotel |
This map from 1840 shows the
layout of the hotel and pier during
its prime situated on the waste
land between Bedford Road East
and Rock Lane East today.
The records show that the
building was owned by the Rock
Ferry Company and covered 2
acres, 2 roads and 38 perches.
The Bath house on plot 5 opposite
was also owned by the Rock Park
Proprietors and occupied by
Hughes Brown and Daniel
Campbell covering 1 road and 12
perches.
The dockside on plot one was also
owned by the Rock Ferry
Company and consisted of
building yard and pier covering 1
acre, 1 road and 15 perches.
layout of the hotel and pier during
its prime situated on the waste
land between Bedford Road East
and Rock Lane East today.
The records show that the
building was owned by the Rock
Ferry Company and covered 2
acres, 2 roads and 38 perches.
The Bath house on plot 5 opposite
was also owned by the Rock Park
Proprietors and occupied by
Hughes Brown and Daniel
Campbell covering 1 road and 12
perches.
The dockside on plot one was also
owned by the Rock Ferry
Company and consisted of
building yard and pier covering 1
acre, 1 road and 15 perches.
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| A Map of the Royal Rock Hotel in 1840 |
| An early Photograph of the Royal Rock Hotel |