Sitting on the eastern fringe of Liverpool, Knotty Ash borders West Derby, Old Swan, Broadgreen, Dovecot, and Huyton. The area falls within the Liverpool West Derby parliamentary constituency and is represented on Liverpool City Council by three councillors, with Ian Byrne (Labour) serving as MP since 2019. Historically part of Lancashire, Knotty Ash is now firmly within the Merseyside metropolitan area and carries a population of around 13,312, a modest increase from the 13,200 recorded at the 2001 Census.
A Name Rooted in Local History
The name Knotty Ash comes from a gnarled ash tree that once stood near what is now the Knotty Ash public house. That original tree is long gone, but in 2004, comedian and local resident Sir Ken Dodd planted a new ash tree close to the original site, keeping the connection alive. Dodd, one of Britain’s best-known comedians, frequently referenced Knotty Ash in his performances, bringing the area a degree of national recognition it might not otherwise have received.
Getting Around
Bus travel is the main form of public transport, with services largely running along the Prescot Road corridor. Routes 7, 8/9, 10/10A/10B, 15, and 204 connect Knotty Ash to Liverpool city centre, with onward links to Dingle, Toxteth, Edge Hill, Wavertree, Broadgreen Hospital, and further afield to Prescot, St Helens, and Warrington. Cross-city services such as the 61 and 102 connect to areas of north and south Liverpool, Knowsley, and Sefton without passing through the city centre. For rail travel, Broad Green station on the National Rail network is roughly a mile away, with trains running to Liverpool Lime Street, Wigan North Western, Manchester Victoria, and Warrington Bank Quay. Knotty Ash’s own railway station on the North Liverpool Extension Line closed to passengers in 1960; its former trackbed now forms part of National Cycle Network Route 62. The western terminus of the M62 motorway at Rocket Roundabout in Broadgreen is also approximately a mile from Knotty Ash.
Sport and Schools
Between 1951 and 1968, Knotty Ash was home to Liverpool City rugby league club, who played at Knotty Ash Stadium on Mill Yard in white jerseys with a broad green hoop. After the 1967-68 season the club relocated to nearby Huyton, eventually becoming Huyton RLFC and moving to Alt Park for the 1969-70 season. Education in the area includes Knotty Ash CP primary school and Clifford Holroyde, a special needs secondary school.