1880s Soap Worker's Cottage, Port Sunlight

Welcome to my Grade II listed soap worker's cottage, built in 1888 when Lord Leverhulme founded Port Sunlight for the employees of Lever Brothers. The village is now under consideration for UNESCO World Heritage status. Three-time Traveller Review Award winning Homestay (2024, 2025, 2026). Sleeps two. The Lady Lever Art Gallery & Museum, only five minutes on foot. Liverpool is 10 minutes by train, Chester 25. Please note this is a hosted stay ( unhosted visit airbnb.co.uk/h/portsunlightcottage) The space Welcome to the Village Port Sunlight has plenty to see. The Lady Lever Art Gallery is free and houses Lord Lever's personal collection, including the world's finest collection of Wedgwood Jasperware. Port Sunlight Museum and the living history Worker's Cottage tell the story of the village; the museum includes a display on Ringo Starr's first performance with the Beatles here in 1962. The Gladstone Theatre is one of the oldest continuously operating theatres on the Wirral, with comedy nights, plays and local performances. Bridge Cottage hosts rotating exhibitions. The Nettle is an excellent nearby cafe, and there are several pubs and restaurants within walking distance. Guided walking tours run daily. The village covers 130 acres and contains over 900 Grade II listed buildings designed by more than 30 architects, so no two houses look alike. It has been used as a filming location for Peaky Blinders, Chariots of Fire, the Tolkien biopic and Antiques Roadshow. Two thousand people still live here; it is a working village, not a museum piece. The Dell and The Diamond are Victorian landscaped gardens, and Port Sunlight River Park is nearby for longer walks. The Wider Area Port Sunlight station is a minute's walk from the cottage. Liverpool is fifteen minutes by train, Chester twenty-five. From Liverpool Lime Street you can connect to London, Manchester, Scotland and beyond. Liverpool John Lennon Airport is also nearby. The Mersey Ferry runs from Birkenhead Woodside to Liverpool Pier Head if you prefer to arrive in style. Anfield and the new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock are both easy to reach by train or bus. The Wirral has 22 miles of coastline and 50 miles of walking and cycling routes. Birkenhead Park, opened in 1847, was the first publicly funded park in Britain and the inspiration for Central Park in New York. Hilbre Islands at the mouth of the Dee Estuary have grey seal colonies and migratory birds; you can walk out at low tide. West Kirby has a marine lake, New Brighton has the lighthouse and Fort Perch Rock, and Parkgate is known for its salt marshes, birdwatching and ice cream. Further afield: Ness Botanic Gardens, RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, the Wirral Way, Thurstaston Beach, Brimstage Hall and its gin distillery, and Birkenhead Priory, the oldest standing building on Merseyside at 870 years old. Your home away from home I will be here during your stay, though I keep out of your way unless you need anything. Check-in is flexible; I can meet you at the door or you can let yourself in via the lockbox if that suits you better. You have your own bedroom and full use of the kitchen, bathroom and living spaces. Parking is available on the private driveway and in the residents-only area behind the cottage. The house is kept to a high standard; guests regularly describe it as spotless. The decor is modern but respectful of the building's heritage, with Port Sunlight touches throughout. Fast fibre broadband handles streaming and remote work without issue. Bose speakers in every room connect to a free Spotify Premium account for music, podcasts and audiobooks. Heating is controlled via Alexa and a Nest hub, with sensors that keep the house cosy in winter; in summer, the thick Victorian walls keep it cool without air conditioning. Downstairs The kitchen is fully equipped with a SMEG 5-ring gas hob, electric oven, fridge-freezer, kettle and toaster, plus a microwave, rice cooker and George Foreman grill. Breakfast provisions are provided: cereals, tea, coffee and sugar, with a proper setup for those who take their coffee seriously. The pantry has an ironing board and iron. A washing machine and tumble dryer are available outdoors on request. The dining area has a table with pew bench seating, and there is a reading nook nearby. The front room has a 70-inch TV with Apple TV, Disney+, YouTube Premium and Amazon Prime, plus a collection of online films. There is a library of history books and a selection of board games. At the back of the house, a courtyard garden with seating is available for warmer days, with a log burner for cooler evenings. Picnic set available on request. Upstairs The bedroom is bright and airy, with a comfortable double bed. Spare pillows, both soft and firm, are in the wardrobe. Fresh towels are provided. There is an Alexa speaker and tablet for your use, a hairdryer, a fan for warmer nights, and a safe for valuables. Guides and books about the village are available if you want to read up on where you are staying. The bathroom has an exceptionally large bath; pour in the Radox and take your time. There is also a large dual-head shower with shower gel provided, and a Bose speaker for music while you soak. Last thing Please be aware that the original wooden stairs to the upper floor are quite steep and would not suit the very elderly or those with mobility issues. This is an allergy-free home, so no pets. No smoking inside. We reserve the right to decline guests who are severely intoxicated on arrival. Guest access Guests have access to the guest bedroom, bathroom, lounge, dining room, kitchen, pantry and garden. During your stay I will be in touch around 11am on the morning of your stay to send entry information and house rules. Whats App is my preferred method of contact. If you cannot be reached by phone, please provide an email address or use the messaging system here. I will be around during your stay but like to give guests space to relax and make themselves at home. I am always happy to chat about the village and answer any questions you may have. Other things to note Check-out is at 11am. Check-in is from 3pm until midnight, unless you have notified otherwise. There is no curfew. The train line runs close to the cottage; trains stop running at night, so sleep is not disturbed. The windows are original single-glazed as required for the Grade II listing, so you may notice some outside noise