Hunt's Cross is a suburb of Liverpool, England. It is located on the southern edge of the city, bordered by the suburbs of Woolton, Allerton, Speke and the town of Halewood in the neighbouring Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley.

History

Hunt's Cross was the name given to the ancient cross-roads at Speke Road, Hillfoot Avenue and Woodend Avenue, which formed the southern boundary of Much Woolton. The available evidence indicates that the cross-roads was called Hunt's Cross because of fox hunts meeting there before setting off. There was also a nearby monument called 'Hunt's Folly', shown on historical maps along with Honey Hall, Woodend Farm and Rose Farm. The 'Liverpool Hunt' is commemorated by a collection of fine china tableware by Booths.

thumb|right|The ancient remains of the village cross

In the 1960s the medieval stone pedestal of the village cross had to be moved a short distance, to the corner of Hillfoot Road and Speke Road, to allow Hillfoot Avenue to be widened. There are similar crosses in the nearby villages of Cronton, Woolton, and Garston. Local folklore says that whoever takes the stone shall be possessed with the power of the Hunt.

Description

200px|thumb|left|A typical local suburban street

Hunt's Cross is a typical affluent suburban area, the housing being almost entirely semi-detached or detached, much being late Victorian or Edwardian in origin, with a number of 1930s developments.

Hunt's Cross Village is located at the ancient cross-roads of Speke Road, Hillfoot Avenue and Woodend Avenue.

There are two places of worship locally: St Columba's URC and St Hilda's CoE. St Andrew's RC has now been demolished and sold for housing. The 28th Allerton Scout Troop was based at St Columba's URC. It started in 1955, but has since been merged with the 33rd Allerton Scout Troop. A local drama group previously existed at St Columba's, where Rita Tushingham once performed.

Transport

The area is served by Hunts Cross station, the southern terminus of the Merseyrail Northern Line to Liverpool city centre, Southport, Kirkby and Ormskirk. Northern and East Midlands Railway services also run to Manchester and Warrington.

Regular buses run along Speke Road, Hillfoot Avenue and Mackets Lane connecting with most of Liverpool, including routes into the city centre, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Speke, and also round the ring road to East and North Liverpool.

Notable residents

  • Josh Bolt, actor best known for his role as Rob Dawson in Benidorm (British TV series), grew up here.
  • George Harrison, composer/musician/activist and co-founder of The Beatles, lived here from 1962 to 1965.
  • John Reppion, writer, husband of Leah Moore
  • Rita Tushingham, actress best known for her roles in The Bed-Sitting Room and Carla Lane's Bread
  • Jonathan Harvey, writer, grew up here

References

  • Liverpool Street Gallery – Liverpool 25