The Henge

In 2014 Friends of Princes Park worked with local young people, including from Unity Youth Centre, to create a wooden Henge in Princes Park. This was a direct result of young people telling the Friends that they needed somewhere to hang out and chill out in the park. The design was created by the young people and built by a well-known Welsh sculptor John Merrill. 

It is a unique installation, with nothing similar anywhere in Merseyside. See Liverpool Echo article here

Rebuilding Princes Park Henge platform

The Henge has been a great asset to the park and generally lasted very well, but parts of the platform have recently started to rot and have been declared unsafe. FOPP are working closely with the Council and with support from local councillors, to replace it. The existing platform will be removed, and John Merrill will rebuild the platform out of oak, which will be long lasting.

Since its creation, the Henge has been used by many young people who particularly enjoy the platform, by drumming groups, yoga groups and people celebrating Eid. Families and groups have picnics at the Henge, and people with young children meet up to chat while their children play. It has been part of several celebrations for the summer solstice. A local wedding is taking place there this summer. These are just some of the groups using the Henge. In addition people come from other parts of Liverpool and beyond to enjoy it. The platform, which faces the sunrise at the summer solstice, is a focal point, as it is raised up (as specifically requested by the young people). It was also a focal point during the visit of the giants to Princes Park in 2018, with dream catchers made by FOPP and Unity hung from the Henge.

The design of the Henge facilitates meeting up and also creates a space for small events and a focal point for larger events. It creates a uniquely cosy but visible space. The platform has a beautiful view of the park for people to relax, unwind and enjoy. It is, and will continue to be, enjoyed by people from all of Liverpool 8’s diverse groups and communities as well as visitors from afar.

Rebuilding the platform will allow local people and visitors to enjoy this unique structure for many years to come. John Merrill will work with FOPP volunteers to rebuild the platform and FOPP is fundraising for the rebuilding.  We can keep costs down if a few people can volunteer time when he is on site to help, but, we do need to raise in the region of £4,000, so we are launching our HENGE 24 appeal. 

We are hopeful the council will help us with some of this and we have some funds already, but we do need help financially if we are to make this happen. So, PLEASE donate, whatever you can afford could help keep this special place in the park being cared for.

Donations can be made using any of the following:

1. Bank transfer and put “HENGE 24” as the reference.                                                                                                                                                               Friends of Princes Park   Sort Code 089299    Account Number   65156708    [Co-op Bank]

2. To pay be cheque, make your cheque payable to "Friends of Princes Park" and write HENGE 24 on the rear of the cheque. Please post to:

FOPP, c/o Katy Gardner 11, Devonshire Road,  Liverpool,  L8 3TX

If you pay tax sufficient to also be able to allow us to claim Gift Aid, we are registered to do this, but need you to complete the gift aid form at bottom of this page, and post it to address at 2. above.