I made the move to the city a while ago but I still remember what it was like growing up on the Wirral.
The ‘Paradise Peninsula’ is a little bit more rural than Liverpool, meaning most people outside of Merseyside have never heard of it and we’re in a constant battle of being told we’re Scousers by outsiders, but Liverpudlians being adamant we’re ‘wools’ or ‘woolybacks’ - you know, if you don’t have a purple bin you’re not from Liverpool.
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Us Wirral natives also love to argue amongst ourselves whether we live ‘ON the Wirral’ or ‘IN Wirral’ and there are still some people who refuse to say we live in Merseyside, despite us not being a part of Cheshire for nearly fifty years.
Regardless of all of the bickering, the Wirral is a pretty special place and it doesn’t matter whether people think we’re Scouse or not as our little peninsula is wonderful in its own right.
There are many things outsiders just won’t understand about the Wirral, whether that’s a local school’s odd remake of a Katy Perry music video or being incredibly passionate about what the definition of peninsula is.
These are 19 things you’ll only understand if you’re a Wirral native.
1. People expecting you to support Tranmere Rovers
I get it, it's normal to support your home team. But, for many of us, our families are originally from Liverpool so we support Liverpool or Everton. I can't count how many times I've been called a glory hunter for support Liverpool not Tranmere. | Getty Images
2. Going to Parkgate the second the sun comes out
On any remotely sunny or warm day, I can guarantee Parkgate is HEAVING as everyone heads to Nicholls for an ice cream. | Nicholls of Parkgate
3. The slides at Europa Pools
Anyone growing up on the Wirral during the 2000s will remember how exciting Europa Pools was. With the iconic wave pool and slides, it felt like going on holiday. | Rept0n1x CC SA 3.0
4. Saying “I’m just going over the water"
Relevant to Liverpool and Wirral, saying you’re going over the water simply means you’re visiting the other. Most people heading into Liverpool from Wirral don’t say, “I’m going to Liverpool” it’s either “I’m going over the water” or “I’m going into town”. | LCRCA