find us, keep us ... visitwirral.com

EUROPEAN UNION Investing in Your Future European Regional Development Fund 2007-13

CONTENTS Find us nestled between the rivers Mersey and Dee, embraced by

the cities of and , and stretching out into the . Golf 6 A peninsula endowed with stunning natural beauty, picturesque villages, Coast & Countryside 10 Culture 18 a rich history and challenging golf. Discover over 55 miles of rural walks, Food & Drink 22 20 miles of coastline and award-winning accommodation and cuisine ... Accommodation 26 & 30 Our neighbours 34 Welcome to Wirral. Getting here 38 Useful information 40

Image: Heswall Golf Club overlooking the River Dee Find the home of Stableford at Wallasey ... and The Open at Hoylake

6 Play championship courses, exchange stories with old friends and new, and escape but always improve. Wirral has 14 courses with the greatest challenge to be found on the links. They have history in abundance, with stunning views to match, so that these coastal gems provide golfers with the complete experience. Royal Liverpool in Hoylake, host of The Open Championship in 2014 for the 12th time, is ranked in the top 100 courses in the UK and Ireland. Wallasey, home of the Stableford scoring system, is a rugged links course cut and shaped by the Irish Sea. Caldy and Heswall complete the set with 10 others throughout the peninsula plus a soon to be developed international Golf Resort. TIGER WOODS, THE OPEN CHAMPION 2006

L to R: Royal Liverpool, Tiger at Hoylake 2006 (© Wirral Globe), Caldy, Wallasey Find views of an island retreat ... and a world heritage waterfront

10 Be intrigued by off-shore wildlife, try water-sports at seaside towns and take the famous “Ferry ‘cross the Mersey”. Wirral’s 20 miles of coastline already attracts millions of visitors. From nature enthusiasts interested in the Nature Reserve, and its protected colony of Atlantic grey seals, to the regenerated resort at New Brighton; with its theatre, cinema, restaurants, casino, lighthouse and very own fort. Those devoted to sailing are attracted to the facilities at West Kirby marine lake, from dinghy racing and wind-surfing to canoeing and kayaking. On the east of the peninsula, you can board the world famous river crossing to Liverpool, with spell-binding views of the waterfront.

UK GOOD BEACH GUIDE

L to R: Hilbre Island, Liverpool waterfront, New Brighton Find time to escape ... with 75 miles of coastline and walks

14 Relax in our country parks, feel fine sand between your toes and enjoy the hours turning into days. , the first of its kind in the country, boasts the 12 mile Wirral Way. This rural track, connected to the 35 mile Wirral Circular Trail around the peninsula, is perfect for walkers and cyclists, and provides picture postcard views over the Dee Estuary to . The visitor centre welcomes those seeking refreshment and the open grassed areas are perfect for recreational pursuits including kite-flying. The country park is a place for activity with rolling fields, woodlands and steps leading down to the inviting beach. nearby is also popular with walkers whose reward is an inspiring view of the peninsula. CHRIS BOARDMAN MBE, OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST

L to R: Thurstaston Beach, Wirral Way, Parkgate Find the home of Unilever ... and the inspiration for NYC’s Central Park

18 Stroll through a garden village, visit the oldest building in the region and explore a Grade I Historic Park. The east coast along the offers a wealth of heritage and regeneration. is the world’s first public park and the inspiration for New York’s Central Park. The town is also home to our recently restored Priory and St Mary’s Tower, which dates back to 1150, and provided the first ferry service to Liverpool. Port Sunlight, built by William Hesketh Lever for his soap factory workers, recently celebrated its 125th anniversary. The village includes an art gallery, museum, over 800 Grade II listed buildings and remains home to the international brand of Unilever.

NATIONAL MUSEUMS LIVERPOOL

L to R: Birkenhead Park, U-Boat U534, St Mary’s Tower, Lady Lever Art Gallery Find award-winning produce ... creating Michelin star cuisine

22 Choose cuisine made from the finest ingredients, prepared by award-winning chefs, and sit back and enjoy. The peninsula has a growing reputation for diverse and excellent food. The quality of the local produce, nurtured within the area’s very own micro- climate, has resulted in outstanding restaurants, independent gastro-, quaint tearooms, seaside cafes and cosy country inns. Food and service are exceptional. All of this plus our award-winning local micro-breweries; artisan food producers and our own Michelin star restaurant in the conservation village of Oxton, can be found in Wirral.

THE SUNDAY TIMES FOOD LIST

L to R: The Wro , Gallaghers and barbers, Fraiche, The Lawns at Thornton Hall Find a welcoming stay ... including 5 star retreats

26 Be spoilt for choice, welcomed with warmth and always return for more. Whether it be the luxury of a 5 star hotel in , the intimacy of a quality guesthouse or the flexibility of self-catering, Wirral can provide you with the very best accommodation available. From picturesque village retreats and farmhouse stays, to coastal town guesthouses, all accommodation highlighted has been inspected and graded. This gives you confidence in your choice and with your stay, whether for a short break or longer. For that extra special indulgence, Wirral also boasts ‘Staff are so additional facilities at many of its hotels, including attentive & the 2014 Best Luxury Spa in the UK, in the picturesque nothing is too village of Thornton Hough. much trouble’

TRIPADVISOR 2014 Leverhulme Hotel L to R: Leverhulme Hotel, Herons Well self catering, Mere Brook B&B, Hillbark Hotel Find culture, food, drink ... and sport at Hoylake and West Kirby

30 Wirral’s seaside towns are perfect for that idyllic short break, and will have you returning again and Hoylake Beach again. Hoylake, home to the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, is a thriving mix of activity including art, music, literature, poetry and of course golf. Add to this a range of places to eat, drink and stay to suit all budgets, and there is something for everyone to enjoy. On the other side of the golf club you will find the charming coastal town of West Kirby. This is another vibrant centre that includes a salt-water marine lake ‘Savour the for water-sport enthusiasts, a popular promenade for spectacular walks with families and friends, and a superb choice views from of restaurants, bars and quality accommodation. the islands’

BBC ‘COUNTRYFILE’ Hoylake L to R: West Kirby marine lake, Market Street Hoylake, Hoylake beach Find our neighbours ... in the cities of Liverpool and Chester

34 Wirral is perfectly placed to visit two of the UK’s most famous cities. Liverpool boasts a fascinating past and exciting present; with breathtaking architecture, interesting galleries and museums, and an award- winning shopping experience. Add this to The Beatles, the sporting heritage of the Grand National, two famous football teams, and the city has a lot to offer. To the south of Wirral you will find the city of Chester; dating back to the era of the Romans, and now providing traditional pubs, independent shops and exclusive Georgian homes. The region has a lot to offer ‘A top 5 the visitor and one day will never be enough. UK retail centre’

NORTH WEST RESEARCH

L to R: Chester Walls, Liverpool One, The Cavern Club, Gormley statues, Chester Races M58 Wigan

Manchester M57

Find us by road, rail, sea and air. Both Liverpool and Manchester St Helens M62

International airports are within 45 minutes by road and the M53 Liverpool M62 Warrington motorway connects Wirral to the M56, M6 and rest of the UK. Stockport Hoylake Liverpoolpo M56 M Manchester Wirral is linked to our neighbours by the national rail network at 53 Airporto M6 International Airport Liverpool Lime Street and Chester stations. Two Mersey tunnels and WIRRALRRA the world famous “Ferry ‘cross the Mersey” service link our peninsula to Liverpool, whilst a daily ferry provides a popular service to Ireland. M56

Wales Chester

© Crown copyright and database rights 2014 Ordnance Survey 100019803 7 38 WIRRAL HOTELS Grove House Hotel Leasowe Castle Hotel Shrewsbury Hotel Village Hotel & GUEST HOUSES Wallasey, CH45 3HF Moreton, CH46 3RF. Birkenhead, CH43 2JB. Bromborough, CH62 4UE. 0151 639 3947 0151 606 9191 0151 652 4029 0871 222 4614 21 Park House thegrovehouse.co.uk leasowecastle.com shrewsbury-hotel.com village-hotels.co.uk/ West Kirby, CH48 4DN. hotels/wirral 0151 625 4665 Hillbark Hotel Mere Brook House The Jug & Bottle 21parkhouse.com Frankby, CH48 1NP. Thornton Hough, CH63 0LU. Heswall, CH60 4RH. Wirral Lodge 0151 625 2400 07713 189 949 0151 342 5535 Meols, CH47 0LE. 42 Caldy Road hillbarkhotel.co.uk merebrookhouse.co.uk the-jugandbottle.co.uk 0151 632 0800 West Kirby, CH48 1HQ. wirrallodge.co.uk 0151 625 8740 Holiday Inn Express Peel Hey Guest House The Queens Royal 42caldyroad.co.uk Hoylake, CH47 1HE. Frankby, CH48 1PP. New Brighton, CH45 2JT. Find places to eat and stay ... 0151 632 2073 0151 677 9077 0151 691 0101 WIRRAL SELF CATERING Albion House hiexpresshoylake.co.uk peelhey.co.uk thequeensroyal.com New Brighton, CH45 9LE. Herons Well 0151 639 7144 Inglewood Manor Hotel Riverhill Hotel The Ship Hotel West Kirby, CH48 1PT. albionhouse.org.uk Ledsham, CH66 8PF. Birkenhead, CH43 2HJ. Parkgate, CH64 6SA. 0151 625 1401 0151 339 5105 0151 653 3773 0151 336 3931 heronswell.co.uk Dibbinsdale Inn inglewoodmanor.co.uk theriverhill.co.uk the-shiphotel.co.uk Bromborough, CH63 0HJ. North Villa Apartments 0151 334 9818 Leverhulme Hotel Sherwood Guest House Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa Hoylake, CH47 3AJ. dibbinsdale-inn.co.uk Port Sunlight, CH62 5EZ. New Brighton, CH45 2ND. Thornton Hough, CH63 1JF. 0151 632 3982 0151 644 6655 0151 639 5198 0151 336 3938 northvilla.com leverhulmehotel.co.uk sherwoodguesthouse.com thorntonhallhotel.com 40 7 Port Sunlight Holiday Coffee in the Park Mimosa Tea Garden GOLF CLUBS Leasowe Golf Club Wirral Municipals Rubens Coffee Shop Toast Rubis The Hilltop Cottages Birkenhead, CH41 4HD. Eastham, CH62 0BH. Moreton, CH46 3RD. visitwirral.com/golf West Kirby, CH48 0RD. West Kirby, CH48 4DZ. West Kirby, CH48 4HD. West Kirby, CH48 8DS. Port Sunlight. CH62 5DX 0151 652 3337 Bromborough Golf Club, 0151 677 5852 rubenscoffee.co.uk 0151 625 7207 0151 625 5136 0151 721 6130 0151 644 4805 Sheldrakes Bromborough, CH63 0NW. leasowegolfclub.co.uk www.rubis.uk.com portsunlightvillage.com Franklyn’s Bar & Kitchen Lower Heswall, CH60 9JS. 0151 334 2155 WEST KIRBY COFFEE Sweet Pea The Ring O Bells Heswall. 0151 342 1556 bromboroughgolfclub.org.uk Prenton Golf Club SHOPS & TEA ROOMS West Kirby, CH48 4DD. WEST KIRBY CAFÉ Slinky’s West Kirby, CH48 7HE. The Thatched Pavilion 0151 378 9286 sheldrakesrestaurant.co.uk Prenton, CH42 8LW. 0151 625 5788 BARS & PUBS West Kirby, CH48 0RE. 0151 929 6750 at Thornton Manor franklynsbar.co.uk Caldy Golf Club 0151 609 3426 Amici 0151 625 6711 Thornton Hough, CH63 1JB. The Montgomery Caldy, CH48 1NB. prentongolfclub.co.uk West Kirby, CH48 4DD. Staacks Hickorys The Tap 0151 353 1155 Gallaghers Pub & Barbers Pub & Kitchen 0151 625 5660 0151 625 7555 West Kirby, CH48 0RA. West Kirby, CH48 3JN. Tanskeys West Kirby, CH48 4DY. thorntonmanor.co.uk Birkenhead, CH41 5DQ. Eastham, CH62 0AG. caldygolfclub.co.uk Royal Liverpool Golf Club 0151 625 0229 0151 559 3123 West Kirby, CH48 0QG. 0151 625 0340 0151 649 9095 0151 328 1151 Hoylake, CH47 4AL. Aubergine staacks.co.uk hickorys.co.uk/westkirby 0151 625 3882 gallagherspuband newmoonpub.co.uk/ Eastham Lodge Golf Club 0151 632 3101 West Kirby, CH48 4DA. tanskeys.co.uk The White Lion WIRRAL FOOD & DRINK barbers.com montgomery Eastham, CH62 0AP. royal-liverpool-golf.com 0151 625 2662 The Marina Café Paloma West Kirby, CH48 4EE. 0151 327 3003 West Kirby, CH48 0RE. West Kirby, CH48 0RD. The Dee Hotel 0151 625 9037 4748 Hamilton Square Gusto The Fox & Hounds easthamlodgegolfclub.co.uk Wallasey Golf Club Hardy’s Kitchen 0151 625 9792 0151 625 5444 West Kirby, CH48 4EF. Birkenhead, CH41 5AR. Heswall, CH60 0AH. Barnston, CH61 1BW. Wallasey, CH45 8LA. West Kirby, CH48 0RE. 0151 929 6300 Wro Bar & Loft 0151 601 9479 0151 348 4538 0151 648 7685 Heswall Golf Club 0151 691 1024 0151 625 3011 The Tee Room Rock Lobster jdwetherspoon.co.uk West Kirby, CH48 4HA. 4748.co.uk gustorestaurants.uk.com the-fox-hounds.co.uk Gayton, CH60 8PB. wallaseygolfclub.com West Kirby, CH48 0RH. West Kirby, CH48 4DY. 0151 625 2010 0151 342 1237 Lattetude 0151 625 1887 0151 625 4423 The Hilbre thewro-lounge.co.uk Caffe Cream Home The Refreshment Rooms heswallgolfclub.com Wirral Ladies Golf Club West Kirby, CH48 0QA. theteeroom.co.uk West Kirby, CH48 3HU. New Brighton, CH45 2PB. Birkenhead, CH41 6DU. Rock Ferry, CH42 1LS. Birkenhead, CH43 6TS. 0151 625 3986 0151 625 4063 caffecream.co.uk 0151 330 1475 0151 644 5893 0151 652 1255 lattetude.moonfruit.com homecoffee.co.uk refreshmentrooms.com wirral-ladies-golf-club.co.uk WEST KIRBY Milan The Wro Lounge Quirky Little Coffee Shop Jack Rabbit Slims The Blue Anchor HOYLAKE Indira Tandoori Marco’s New York Italian Studio 4 Diner RESTAURANTS West Kirby, CH48 0RB. West Kirby, CH48 4HA. Hoylake, CH47 3BB. Hoylake, CH47 3BS. Hoylake, CH47 3BE. RESTAURANTS Hoylake, CH47 2AF. Hoylake, CH47 1HE. Hoylake, CH47 2AE 0151 625 6767 0151 625 2010 07873 269 166 0151 632 7545 0151 632 1256 0151 632 3978 0151 632 2073 Astoria Restaurant milantherestaurant.co.uk thewro-lounge.co.uk thequirkylittlecoffee jacksbar.co.uk Antep BBQ indiratandoori.co.uk marcoshoylake.co.uk Tai O West Kirby, CH48 0RF. shop.co.uk The Green Lodge Hotel Hoylake, CH47 5AA. Hoylake, CH47 2AB. 0151 625 1757 Royal Bengal Shakers Hoylake, CH47 1HW. 0151 632 2254 Jade Garden Meat & Mingle 0151 632 0018 astoriadining.co.uk West Kirby, CH48 0QB. HOYLAKE COFFEE Smooth Coffee Lounge Hoylake, CH47 2AB. 0151 632 2321 antepbbq.co.uk Hoylake, CH47 2BH. Hoylake, CH47 3BD. tai-o.co.uk 0151 625 9718 SHOPS & TEA ROOMS Hoylake, CH47 3BB. 07702 598 456 greenlodgehotelpub.co.uk 0151 632 2421 0151 632 6007 Curio 07761 707065 shakersbarhoylake.com Athena’s meatandmingle. The Portrait House West Kirby, CH48 0RB. Scogs Restaurant Chantilly Tea Rooms The Lake Inn Hoylake, CH47 2BQ. Julian’s wordpress.com Hoylake, CH47 2EE. 0151 625 4730 West Kirby, CH48 0RD. Hoylake, CH47 2EE. The Cup Cake Café Rio’s Bar Hoylake, CH47 2DW. 0151 632 0400 Hoylake, CH47 3BW. 0151 632 4444 0151 625 7579 0151 632 0821 Hoylake, CH47 2BF. Hoylake, CH47 2AE. 0151 632 7900 athenashoylake.com 0151 632 6241 Monte Carlo Bar & Grill theportraithouse.co.uk Golden Lake scogs.co.uk 0151 538 3474 juliansrestaurant.co.uk Hoylake, CH47 2AE. West Kirby, CH48 4EG. Flavours Vanilla Lounge The Plasterers Arms Curry Garden 0151 632 2041 0151 625 0700 Shuhel Balti House Hoylake, CH47 2BG. Hoylake, CH47 2AE. Hoylake, CH47 2DJ. Hoylake, CH47 3BD. Linos montecarlorestaurant West Kirby, CH48 0RE. 07751 245125 HOYLAKE CAFÉ BARS 0151 633 2390 0151 632 3023 0151 632 4725 Hoylake, CH47 3BH. barandgrill.co.uk Karma 0151 625 3018 & PUBS plasterersarms.com 0151 632 1408 West Kirby, CH48 4DY. Little Blue Bird Tea Room Hoose EJ Restaurant linosrestaurant.co.uk Pepper Sauce Thai 0151 625 5999 The Marigold Fish & & Cakery Hoylake Lights Hoylake, CH47 2BG. The Ship Inn Hoylake, CH47 2AE. Restaurant karma-restaurant.co.uk Chip Restaurant Hoylake, CH47 3BD. Hoylake, CH47 3BB. Hoylake, CH47 3BB. 0151 632 1122 Maluca Brasserie Hoylake, CH47 2AF. West Kirby, CH48 0RD. 07946 313 087 0151 632 1209 The Aura Lounge Bar 0151 632 4319 ejrestaurants.co.uk Hoylake, CH47 3BW. 0151 632 6097 0151 625 8693 thelittlebluebirdtea Hoylake, CH47 5AA. 0151 632 2003 peppersauce marigolds-westkirby.co.uk room.co.uk maluca.co.uk restaurant.co.uk

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