Welfare

Focus on Mariners' Park : living well independently in retirement

8 August 2025

Image:Nautilus House sits in the foreground looking towards the Trinity House Hub and the Care Home within the Mariners' Park Estate in Wallasey, UK. Image: Jamie Beard/Nautilus International — Nautilus House sits in the foreground looking towards the Trinity House Hub and the Care Home within the Mariners' Park Estate in Wallasey, UK. Image: Jamie Beard/Nautilus International

A few months on from the royal opening of Nautilus House at Mariners' Park in April 2025, we take a peek inside the Nautilus Welfare Fund's multi-million-pound residential investment in the welfare of retired seafarers in the UK – and those mariners considering retirement.

Nautilus House, a combined modern residential and office complex with views over the River Mersey, completes the 149 properties that make up the residential community at the Mariners Park Estate run by the Nautilus Welfare Fund. These include avenues with a variety of independent living apartments, bungalows, and houses, all designed with the needs of older residents in mind.

From the Gibson Terrace flats and the Care Home with its comprehensive care on Royden Avenue, to the state-of-the-art Nautilus House, the spirit of community fostered at the Trinity House Hub, along with Nautilus Care domiciliary service; the images below highlight how the estate offers a truly supportive environment for retired seafarers and their dependents. Mariners' Park Estate is fundamentally about providing security and peace of mind for former seafarers.

Inside Nautilus House

Image:HRH The Princess Royal meets members of Nautilus Council during the opening of Nautilus House in April 2025. Image: Nautilus International — HRH The Princess Royal meets members of Nautilus Council during the opening of Nautilus House in April 2025. Image: Nautilus International

Image:The much-loved beautifully maintained bowling green (foreground) provides both recreational and a chance for social connection. Image: Beccy Lane, Positive Image Photography — The much-loved beautifully maintained bowling green (foreground) provides both recreational and a chance for social connection. Image: Beccy Lane, Positive Image Photography

Nautilus House has 27 two-bedroom apartments spread over three floors and also serves as Nautilus International's head office. The building has been thoughtfully designed to be fully accessible, with lifts to all floors and wide doorways throughout. The ground floor has a reception, communal library and residential units with river views.

Image:A Nautilus House apartment living room with balcony views across the River Mersey. Image: Nautilus International — A Nautilus House apartment living room with balcony views across the River Mersey. Image: Nautilus International

Image:The building's shape ('crank') means rear accommodation outlook is equally beautiful. mage: Beccy Lane, Positive Image Photography — The building's shape ('crank') means rear accommodation outlook is equally beautiful. mage: Beccy Lane, Positive Image Photography

Image:Each apartment includes an emergency alarm system, an ensuite wet room, and accessible facilities in the kitchen (above). Image: Beccy Lane, Positive image Photography — Each apartment includes an emergency alarm system, an ensuite wet room, and accessible facilities in the kitchen (above). Image: Beccy Lane, Positive image Photography

Image:The two-bedroom flats at Nautilus House offer flexibility – the second bedroom can accommodate caregivers, visitors, a study or hobby room. Image: Nautilus International — The two-bedroom flats at Nautilus House offer flexibility – the second bedroom can accommodate caregivers, visitors, a study or hobby room. Image: Nautilus International

Image:An architect's cut-through layout view of a second floor two bedroom apartment. Some rear accomodation is more generous because of the crank in the building or has dual aspect on the corners. Image: Pozzoni — An architect's cut-through layout view of a second floor two bedroom apartment. Some rear accomodation is more generous because of the crank in the building or has dual aspect on the corners. Image: Pozzoni

Image:HRH The Princess royal is introduced to ground staff by the director of welfare and care Andrew Jones during the Nautilus House opening in April 2025. Image: Nautilus International — HRH The Princess royal is introduced to ground staff by the director of welfare and care Andrew Jones during the Nautilus House opening in April 2025. Image: Nautilus International

The grounds are expertly maintained, with accessible pathways that allow residents of all mobility levels to enjoy the outdoor spaces.

Take a tour of Mariners' Park.

Around the Estate

2025_mariners_park_nautilus_house_balcony_view_over_estate2_fullwdithx1000w.jpg — Trinity House Hub. Image: Nautilus International

Trinity House Hub on Webster Avenue is the centre of community life at the Park.

Inside the Hub, there's a welcoming reception area, a popular meeting-place café, and various rooms used for social activities, exercise classes, and events.

It also provides welfare staff offices, and outside a remembrance stone memorial used for services commemorating mariners who have died in global conflicts.

The Nautilus Care Home and Trinity House Hub. Image: Nautilus International

A drone-captured view over the Care Home (foreground) looking towards the Trinity House Hub and Nautilus House in the distance.

The Home is a vital part of the services offered at Mariners' Park. It provides both residential and nursing, and a specialized dementia wing.

Mariners' Park also provides a domiciliary care service known as Nautilus Care, which means that residents living independently in their own homes across the estate can receive care visits as needed to maintain their independence.

Planning your nautical retirement?

Mariners' Park supports retired and needy seafarers and their dependants who are aged over 55. The park offers a full range of independent living properties; a bespoke supportive living accommodation building for those with care needs; and a 36-bed care home that provides 24/7 care, nursing, dementia and palliative support.

Accommodation is available now for those maritime professionals that have served in the Merchant Navy across all sectors, including maritime pilots and crew on large yachts, as well as those who have served in the Royal Navy.

Arrange a visit to Mariners' Park in Wallasey, UK, to talk about the retirement options or register to have your name added to the accommodation list, by emailing welfare@nautilusint.org or calling +44(0)151 346 8840. There is more information at www.nautiluswelfarefund.org

Visit the Nautilus Welfare Fund

Living at the Park

What former Union members and other residents interviewed who have lived at the park long-term and more recently appreciate most about living at the Park:

'similar life experiences with many other former mariners'
'secure living accommodation'
'peace of mind that all needs are met on one site'
'staff always on hand, and support for a seamless move onto the park'
'help with bills, benefits when required'
'excellent reputation'
'events and activities are always going on'

Image: A view from the third floor office at new Nautilus House over the Mariners' Park estate / Nautilus International

Visit the Nautilus Welfare Fund Find out more about Mariners' Park

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