Wirral Ramblers share their 10 favourite walking routes on the Peninsula

These Wirral walks will get your steps in for the daily and give you the perfect backdrop in the process.

We’re all still doing our bit to stay fit and healthy and enjoy the great outdoors because if there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s how good a walk in the fresh air feels.

There are loads of great walks you can enjoy but it’s always good to get ideas of new ones you can try. That’s why we asked Jane Wright from Wirral Ramblers – which is looking forward to starting group walks locally and further afield as soon as they can – to take us on 10 of her favourite walks…

Mersey Estuary “Ferry” Walks

1. Eastham Woods – up to 3 miles.

Park in the Visitor centre car park, Ferry Road.

Here, you can explore the woods and river paths, discover the remains of the pleasure gardens such as the bear pit and water chute, and get great views over the river Mersey and start of the Manchester ship canal.

Stop off in Eastham village on the way there or back. It’s one of the oldest on Wirral and has an ancient yew tree in the churchyard.

2. Port Sunlight River Park – up to 4 miles.

This is a hidden gem transformed from a huge rubbish tip!

Parking in Dock Road North, you can walk along the river and up the hill for spectacular views of the Mersey Estuary from this former landfill site. There’s a wetland area for ducks and you can carry on to the Mersey mud flats for more wildfowl and the information boards about the industrial past. 

Continue along the estuary to New Ferry and Rock Ferry. Return via Rock Park, once a grand area of large mansions. 

An alternative is to start in Port Sunlight Village, exploring the garden village built by Lord Lever to house factory workers and then cross the A41 down Dock Road North to the river park (5-7 miles).

3. Birkenhead – work and play.

These two shortish Wirral walks combine a flavour of the gritty working heart of Birkenhead with its famous green lung. They can be done in combination as they are close to each other and both are accessible via public transport.

a) Monks Ferry to Morpeth Dock – up to 2.5miles.

Starting from Monks Ferry Car Park, close to Birkenhead Priory, which is well worth visiting when open, follow the river path around towards Woodside ferry, past the U-boat story and tunnel ventilation building.

Continue past the one o’clock gun replica and now disused Morpeth Dock. Return the same way or go over Egerton Bridge, a working bascule bridge, and past the Cheshire Lines building, and down Shore Road and Pacific Road and retrace your steps. Alternatively head up Argyle Street to Hamilton Square and Birkenhead Town Hall.

b) Birkenhead Park – 2.5 – 3miles.

The world’s first publicly-funded park and the inspiration for New York’s Central Park.

There’s a wide perimeter path to follow round both parts of the park, but don’t forget to go down the winding paths to see the lakes and other attractions. There is fine architecture in the houses and lodges surrounding the park. Look for the eisteddfod stone, Swiss bridge, boathouse and grand entrance arch.

4. New Brighton to Seacombe – up to 6 miles.

Starting from Fort Perch Rock, a Napoleonic Fortress, head towards the Mersey estuary and continue along the promenade all the way to Seacombe Ferry for great views of Liverpool docks and Pier Head.

There are fascinating story boards about the many boats associated with the river and other history. Vale Park is worth a detour for the gardens and fairy village.

Further along is Guinea Gap, famous for its swimming baths and treasure. Wallasey Town Hall is an imposing building on the front. You can retrace your steps to New Brighton, but a worthy detour is to head towards Victoria Street and the surrounding area to see the street art.

More info on the street art trail here.

Country Walks

Some of these walks can be muddy in places, especially after heavy rain, so be careful and well-prepared!

5. Arrowe Park and Upton Meadow – 4.5miles.

Arrowe Park is a country park with extensive wood and parkland trails, a lake and golf course. This is a suggested walk, but there are plenty of variations to shorten or lengthen the route.

From the main car park, head in a clockwise direction in the woods around the golf course and through Neilsons plantation, follow Arrowe Brook past the lake and down to cross Arrowe Brook Road. Continue to follow the river until you come to Upton Meadow, explore this quiet area and then retrace your steps until back in the park. There are numerous options to take you back to the car park.

An alternative start for a longer walk is from Thingwall Road, taking the path along Limbo Lane and the field paths and tracks to join the above route (5miles).

6. Thornton Hough Circular –  5.5 – 6miles.

Passing a manor house, quiet villages and farms and a thatched pub…

Thornton Hough village is another Lever model village, but its history dates back further making it the perfect place for one of our Wirral walks. From Thornton Hough Village head out along Manor Road past Thornton Manor, once Leverhulme’s home, then take footpaths through the estate and woodland to A540 Chester High Road. Cross this and head on a path over the railway.

Go down Boathouse Lane then left around and up past Leighton Hall Farm on quiet roads to the A540. Follow along to the right, then cross onto a footpath towards Raby. Have a look at The Wheatsheaf pub, locally known as “The Thatch” for obvious reasons! Return to Thornton Hough via permissive paths along Raby Road.

7. Willaston Circular – 6.5 miles.

A quiet, pretty village, with an old windmill and farmland.

From the car park on the Wirral Way walk towards Willaston Village and take the path by the side of the church across fields towards the old windmill – built in 1800 and the largest on Wirral – then take paths towards Willaston Road, turn left and soon join a path towards Roselea and then a woodland path towards Cherry Farm, School Lane and down to the A540. Cross this and head down Lees Lane to the Wirral Way back to Willaston.

8. Landican, Thingwall and Storeton Woods – 6.5 miles.

A mixture of sometimes muddy field paths and tracks and lovely woodland.

From Landican Village follow footpaths towards The Farm and caravan storage and join a track at the back of the Basset Hound, turn left and follow a path over fields towards Storeton. Turn right towards the village and pick up a minor road/track, Keepers Lane, which goes across fields towards the motorway.

Turn left on Brimstage Lane and then head on paths towards Storeton Woods. Explore the extensive paths through the woods and discover the dinosaur footprint! Exit towards Lever Causeway and follow this back to Storeton and then join the 56 cycle track back to Landican.

The next two walks take in part of the Dee shoreline. Check tide times and heights to ensure safety first. The Wirral Way provides an alternative. www.tidetimes.org.uk/hilbre-island-tide-times

9. Parkgate to Gayton, Lower Heswall Circular – 7 miles.

Once of our favourite Wirral walks starts from Boathouse Lane Old Baths Carpark, head away from Parkgate towards Gayton. At Gayton Cottage, if tides allow, it is possible to continue along the estuary shore all the way to Sheldrakes beach.

If not head up to the Wirral Way. Go up towards Heswall Dales and take the path towards Thurstaston Road and Feather Lane. Head down The Mount and have a break in Dawstone Park.

Head down and go through St Peters churchyard, turn left and then join the Wirral Way. At Cottage Lane head up to take the path the other side of Heswall Golf Club and follow this, crossing Boathouse Lane, and rejoin the Wirral Way and walk back along the Parade.

10. Royden Park, Caldy Hill and Thurstaston Village – 7miles.

Plenty of variety with wooded hills, sandstone churches, beach and spectacular views.

From Royden Park take the path towards Montgomery Hill. Cross over and go right, then left into Birch Heys. Follow the footpath that heads towards Newton. Cross over the A540 and head uphill. Look for a gap in the wall and enter Stapledon Woods, which is lovely in spring.

Gradually head upwards to go over Caldy Hill, emerging at Fleck Lane, a bridle path between sandstone walls. Follow this down to Caldy Village, cross Caldy Road and into The Green to emerge by the church with restful benches.

Take the path, Shore Lane, to head to Caldy shore. If tides permit, walk along the shore from here to Shore Cottage. If not, follow the Wirral Way and head through Dawpool Nature Reserve to the slipway where there is another opportunity to walk along the shore, tide permitting.

Please note that recently the cliffs here have suffered from landslips and are unstable and muddy, so take care. Take the steps up the cliff by the cottage, past Thurstaston visitor centre and along the Wirral Way to a footpath for the Dungeon, then head towards Thurstaston Village where the sandstone church was the model for Truro Cathedral. Cross the A540 and head up Thurstaston Hill for spectacular views, and follow the ridge back towards Royden Park.

For more ideas about walks on Wirral go to the website here.

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