ABScraft

This weekend is the 5th Oxton Open Studio and I have created a suggested walking route taking in all four venues.

Start by meeting the 4 artists (including me) in the two units of Wellington Road Art Studios nestled behind the shops on Wellington Road, explore our working environment, and see the communal creativity at work. We do have parking off street, use the drive next to Hursts Bakery. Our postcode is CH43 2JE

Exit the studio onto Wellington Road turning right and then turn left to head down Silverdale Road, crossing several streets until you reach Slatey Road, turn left towards Birkenhead Park and discover the gate to a secret garden on the left hand-side.

• Take a Nature Break (at Callister Gardens): Move onto the tranquility of  community Garden for a reflective pause with the four artists based there for the weekend. It’s a lovely green space tucked behind high walls. On exiting the garden, return to Slatey Road and double back one street to Charlesville Road and 1a can be found close to Slatey Road.
• Studio Insight at Mike Fenner’s home studio: Visit a more intimate. Space where you will likely get insight into individual artists’ personal practice, as this is a private but Open Studio venue.
• Final Stop & Reflection (at Templemore Road): End at 30 Templemore Road — often used in the Wirral Open Studios and Oxton Open Studios as one of the displaying venues linked with printmaking & multimedia collage of Gill Curry and Lynda Roberts 
• : After Templemore Road, you could stroll toward Oxton Village centre for refreshments (cafes, etc.), making your way via some of the charming Oxton streets.
• If you are visiting on Saturday you could also visit the Williamson Art Gallery and Museum until 5pm.
• If you are visiting on Sunday remember we start at 12 noon, so check out the Oxton Village Market who open at 9am at the RAFA club.
• Those doing the tour in daylight hours could consider coming back in the evening to check out the lights of Templemore Road – a neighbourhood initiative to raise money for charity and the lights in Oxton Village courtesy of the Oxton Society. 

Of course, you can ignore this and create your own route based on your preference or drive. There is on street parking at most locations – use side streets and be respectful of neighbours. 

Practical Tips

• Give yourself about 1.5–2 hours to do the full loop if you plan to spend 10–15 minutes at each stop – we hope you will dwell longer.
• Navigation: Use Google Maps or a phone map — addresses like “1a CharlesVille” may not be clearly marked on all tourist maps, so live navigation helps.
• Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes — Oxton’s streets have some slopes, and there may be cobbled or narrow paths.
• Photography: Bring a camera or phone to capture both the artistic spaces and the charming residential architecture of Oxton.
• Refreshments: Consider ending near Oxton Village for tea / coffee — there are local cafés but most studios provide refreshments .
• There are cash machines in Oxton Village and at LONDIS on Wellington Road but many of the artists have card readers.  

Oxton Open Studios 29th Nov 10-4 and Sunday 12-4