Choose from a great selection of walks throughout May. Wirral Walking Festival 2017 Wirral Walking ACCESS POLICY Festival 2017 Many of the walks in this access for all. Also, if you brochure are accessible to are unable to attend the The Wirral Walking Festival is now in its fifth people with limited mobility. walk at the times shown, year and again features a variety of walks from However it is recommended again please contact the short Walking for Health Walks at over a dozen that you check with the walk leader who will be locations to long distance treks passing through walk organiser for each able to advise of alternative Wirral’s award winning Green Flag parks, ancient event if you have specific meeting points for you to woodland, historic heathlands and along our requirements including join the walk at a different wheelchair access or are location later on. Finally, if internationally protected coast. unable to step over stiles. In you need to leave a walk Walk leaders will tell you about Wirral’s villages, colourful parks and gardens and many cases the walk route early please let the walk about the local and natural history that can be found here. There are Buggy Park can be adapted to provide leader know! Fitness sessions and for those who want an opportunity to go just a little bit faster we include our Run in Wirral programme of events aimed at beginners. Many of the walks are led by volunteer walk leaders and, as usual, volunteers from the Wirral Disabled Holiday Information is an Footpaths and Open Spaces Preservation Society and Wirral Ramblers have made awareness-led charity founded by a significant contribution to the variety of walks on offer. Frank and Sue Napper in 2001. As well as providing free information on fully accessible leisure time pursuits Whether you’re joining a friends group for a walk around their local park, taking on their website and in guides and part in a health walk (or even a run) or taking a packed lunch on a walk crossing fact sheets, their volunteers engage from one side of the peninsula to the other, we hope that you enjoy the 2017 Wirral in a variety of related activities to Walking Festival and will take a couple of minutes to complete the on-line event assess opportunities for people with survey at www.visitwirral.com so that we can continue to improve the festival and disabilities including those who might not normally participate fully the range of walks on offer, or click here www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/wwf17 in community life. The resultant data is accessible in a visually stimulating Information about parks and open spaces facilities as well as information format that will hopefully encourage Thank you to Cynthia Sadler who has provided many of the on where to stay and activities can be other people with similar needs photographs used in this brochure, including the front cover found at to expand and enhance their life photograph, and to other members of the Hoylake Photographic www.disabledholidayinfo.org.uk experience thus improving their Society who have contributed towards this brochure and other health and wellbeing. Wirral Walking Festival event publicity. 1 Monday 8th May Location/Start Page Wirral Walking Festival 2017 • Buggy Park Fitness Ashton Park 12 • Health Walk Park 16 Calendar of Walks • Health Walk 16 • Health Walk Wallasey Village Library 16 • Health Walk Guinea Gap 16 Monday 1st May Location/Start Page • Run in Wirral Wirral Tennis and Leisure Centre 12 • Health Walk 16 • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 • Parkgate and Neston Circular Parkgate 7 Tuesday 9th May Tuesday 2nd May • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 • Health Walk 16 • Health Walk Arrowe Park 16 • Health Walk 16 • Health Walk Port Sunlight River Park 16 • Health Walk Wallasey 17 • Health Walk Wallasey 17 • Health Walk Warrens 17 • Health Walk Warrens 17 • Hill Bidston 9 • Flaybrick Cemetery and • 9 Memorial Gardens Bidston 7 • Bidston Bidston 7 Wednesday 10th May • Buggy Park Fitness Ashton Park 12 Wednesday 3rd May • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 • Buggy Park Fitness Ashton Park 12 • Run in Wirral Oval Leisure Centre 12 • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 • Health Walk Port Sunlight River Park 17 • Run in Wirral Oval Leisure Centre 12 • Health Walk Port Sunlight Village 17 • Health Walk Port Sunlight River Park 17 • Health Walk West Kirby 17 • Health Walk Port Sunlight Village 17 • Health Walk Wallasey Village Library 17 • Health Walk West Kirby 17 • Health Walk 17 • Health Walk Wallasey Village Library 17 • Willaston Kissing Gate Walk Willaston 11 • Health Walk Eastham Country Park 17 • Ness and Little Neston Ness 11 • Wildflowers in the Woodland Eastham 7 Thursday 11th May Thursday 4th May • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 • Run in Wirral Frankby 12 • Run in Wirral Frankby 12 • Health Walk Royden Park 17 • Health Walk Royden Park 17 • Coast to Coast: Parkgate to Eastham Parkgate 11 • Bats in Brotherton Park Brotherton Park 8 Friday 12th May Friday 5th May • Buggy Park Fitness Mayer Park 12 • Buggy Park Fitness Mayer Park 12 • Health Walk Wallasey Village Library 17 • Health Walk Wallasey Village Library 17 • Bromborough Pool • History Walk Brotherton Park 8 The First Garden Village Bromborough 11 • Brimstage Brimstage 8 • Spital Spital 11

Saturday 6th May Saturday 13th May • Run in Wirral Birkenhead Park 12 • Run in Wirral Birkenhead Park 12 • Tex’ Trail Running Various 12 • Tex’ Trail Running Various 12 • Bluebells Galore Bromborough 9 • From Refuse to Recreation Port Sunlight River Park 13 • Oxton History Walk (West) Oxton 9 • Thor’s Rocks: Geology at Thurstaston 13 • Rhododendrons in Park Wood 13 Sunday 7th May • Health Walk Birkenhead Park 17 • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 • History Walk Eastham Country Park 9 To enjoy the best of Wirral’s Parks, Coast and Countryside download a free walking and cycle trail leaflet, Circular Trail and a Nature Guide at www.visitwirral.com 2 3 Sunday 14th May Location/Start Page Friday 19th May Location/Start Page • Health Walk Birkenhead Park 17 • Buggy Park Fitness Mayer Park 12 • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 • Health Walk Wallasey Village Library 17 • Burton Marsh Birdsong and Breakfast Burton Mere Wetlands 13 • Short Health Walk Birkenhead Park 17 • The Secret Gardens of Oxton Oxton 13 • Storeton Storeton 19 • Thornton Hough Circular Thornton Hough 14 • A Walk with the Garden Manager Ness Gardens 14 Saturday 20th May • Red Rocks Evening Walk Hoylake 14 • Run in Wirral Birkenhead Park 12 • Tex’ Trail Running Various 12 Monday 15th May • Workers Cottages Around Port Sunlight Port Sunlight 15 • Buggy Park Fitness Ashton Park 12 • Oxton History Walk (East) Oxton 18 • Health Walk Birkenhead Park 16 • Health Walk West Kirby 16 Sunday 21st May • Run in Wirral Wirral Tennis and Leisure Centre 12 • Health Walk Birkenhead Park 17 • Health Walk Ashton Park 16 • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 • Health Walk Wallasey Village Library 16 • Village History Walk Greasby 18 • Health Walk Guinea Gap 16 • Thurstaston and West Kirby Thurstaston 18 • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 • Little Neston Circular Little Neston 18 • The Crash Site to Little Storeton 14 • A Walk with Botanist Tim Baxter Ness Gardens 18

Tuesday 16th May Monday 22nd May • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 • Buggy Park Fitness Ashton Park 12 • Health Walk Arrowe Park 16 • Health Walk Birkenhead Park 16 • Health Walk Port Sunlight River Park 16 • Health Walk West Kirby 16 • Health Walk Wallasey 17 • Health Walk Wallasey Village Library 16 • Health Walk Warrens 17 • Health Walk Guinea Gap 16 • Prenton Circular Prenton 15 • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 • Dales Heswall 15 • Run in Wirral Wirral Tennis and Leisure Centre 12

Wednesday 17th May Tuesday 23rd May • Buggy Park Fitness Ashton Park 12 • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 • Health Walk Arrowe Park 16 • Run in Wirral Oval Leisure Centre 12 • Health Walk Port Sunlight River Park 16 • Health Walk Port Sunlight River Park 17 • Health Walk Wallasey 17 • Health Walk Port Sunlight Village 17 • Health Walk Warrens 17 • Health Walk West Kirby 17 • Meols Meols 18 • Health Walk Wallasey Village Library 17 • Health Walk Eastham Country Park 17 Wednesday 24th May • Buggy Park Fitness Ashton Park 12 Thursday 18th May • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 • Run in Wirral Oval Leisure Centre 12 • Run in Wirral Frankby 12 • Health Walk Port Sunlight River Park 17 • Health Walk Royden Park 17 • Health Walk Port Sunlight Village 17 • Workers Cottages Around Port Sunlight Port Sunlight 15 • Health Walk West Kirby 17 • Health Walk Wallasey Village Library 17 • Health Walk Eastham Country Park 17

“Excellent Event” To help us improve our services please spare a few Wirral Walking Festival Feedback 2016 moments of your time to share your views at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/wwf17 4 5 Thursday 25th May Location/Start Page Parkgate and Neston Circular Bidston • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 Monday 1st May, Tuesday 2nd May, 7.30pm - 9.15pm • Run in Wirral Frankby 12 10am – 3pm Cost: FREE (but please bring some • Health Walk Royden Park 17 Cost: FREE money if you want to join us Friday 26th May Walk length: 9 miles in a local pub afterwards!) • Buggy Park Fitness Mayer Park 12 Walk length: An easy walk over field paths, the Wirral • Health Walk Wallasey Village Library 17 • Royden Park Special Health Walk Frankby 17 Way and along the banks of the Dee This circular walk takes us from Bidston • Port Sunlight Port Sunlight 20 marshes with an option to leave the Station to Bidston Village and Bidston • The Bats of Port Sunlight River Park Port Sunlight 19 walk after 6 miles. Hill as far as the windmill and with great • Sunset walk to Hilbre West Kirby 20 views of Liverpool Bay. We follow the old Event Grid Reference: SJ280 779 deer park wall and head back to the Contact: 0151 345 3816 Saturday 27th May village and railway station. • Run in Wirral Birkenhead Park 12 Email: [email protected] Sorry no dogs. • Tex’ Trail Running Various 12 Meet at: Parkgate - Opposite Nichol’s • Flower Walk Port Sunlight River Park 19 Ice Cream Shop Event Grid Reference: SJ284 907 • Family Fun Nature Walk Port Sunlight River Park 19 Contact: 0151 605 0591 • Neston to Heswall Neston 20 Email: [email protected] Sunday 28th May Meet at: Bidston Station Car Park • Health Walk Birkenhead Park 17 • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 Wildflowers in the Woodland Monday 29th May Wednesday 3rd May, 10am - 12pm • Health Walk Birkenhead Park 16 Cost: FREE Walk Length: 2 miles Tuesday 30th May • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 Join the Rangers for a walk around • Health Walk Arrowe Park 16 Eastham Country Park at this special time • Health Walk Port Sunlight River Park 16 of year when wildflowers, and especially • Health Walk Wallasey 17 the native Bluebells, begin to bloom on • Health Walk Warrens 17 • Raby - Cherry Wood Raby 20 the woodland floor. Event Postcode: CH62 0BH Wednesday 31st May Contact: 0151 327 1007 • Buggy Park Fitness Ashton Park 12 • Run in Wirral West Kirby Concourse 12 Email: [email protected] Flaybrick Memorial Gardens Meet at: Eastham Country Park Centre • Run in Wirral Oval Leisure Centre 12 and Arboretum • Health Walk Port Sunlight River Park 17 • Health Walk Port Sunlight Village 17 Tuesday 2nd May, 11am - 1pm • Health Walk West Kirby 17 Cost: FREE • Health Walk Wallasey Village Library 17 Walk Length: 1- 2 miles • Health Walk Eastham Country Park 17 Come and find out about • The Secret Paths of Backford and Stoak Backford 20 the fascinating history of Birkenhead and stories of the personalities that helped to make it the way it is. This walk is over uneven ground and flat “A very enjoyable shoes are recommended. All children under the age of 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult. and interesting event” Sorry no dogs. Wirral Walking Festival Feedback 2016 Event Postcode: CH43 7PD Contact: 07803 166 221 6 Meet at: Tam O’Shanter Cottage, Bidston 7 Bats in Brotherton Park Brotherton Park & Dibbinsdale Bluebells Galore! Eastham Country Thursday 4th May, History Walk Saturday 6th May, Park History Walk 8.45pm - 10.45pm Friday 5th May, 10am - 12.30pm 2pm - 4pm Sunday 7th May, 10am - 12.30pm Cost: FREE Cost: FREE Cost: FREE Cost: FREE Walk Length: 2 miles Walk length: less than 2 miles Walk Length: 2 miles Walk length: Join the Wirral Rangers & Friends of Booking essential 2 kilometres Join the Wirral Rangers & Dibbinsdale for a walk around Eastham Join the Rangers for a walk around Friends of Dibbinsdale for a A walk along footpaths to enjoy the Country Park looking at the history of this Dibbinsdale Local Nature reserve walk around Dibbinsdale Local Nature Bluebells, Celandines, Wood Anemones, unusual and interesting site. Dogs must looking and listening for the bats that Reserve looking at the ancient and and other flowers of the ancient be kept under control at all times. live in and around the valley. There are recent history of this hidden gem. (There woodland within Dibbinsdale Local Event Postcode: CH62 0BH some hills on site and sturdy footwear are some steep hills and steps along the Nature Reserve and learning more Contact: 0151 327 1007 is recommended. The walk will cover route.) Dogs must be kept under control about the local history. There will be Email: [email protected] no more than two miles. Children are at all times. some steep slopes as part of this walk Meet at: Eastham Country Park Centre welcome but must be well supervised. and stout footwear is essential. Event Postcode: CH62 2BJ Sorry no dogs. Sorry no dogs. Contact: 0151 334 9851 Bidston Hill Event Grid Reference: SJ345 826 Email: [email protected] Event Grid Reference: SJ341 820 Tuesday 9th May, Contact: 0151 334 9851 Meet at: The Rangers Office, Contact: 0151 327 5923 11am - 1pm Cost: FREE Email: [email protected] Dibbinsdale LNR E-mail: [email protected] Walk length: up to 4 miles Meet at: Bromborough Rake Station We will make our way via King George’s Way to Thermopylae Pass and the original Brimstage fields to Thornton Hough. A brief section Oxton History Walk (West) site of Bidston Court. We then follow the Friday 5th May, on Thornton Common Road is then Saturday 6th May, 11am - 12.45pm ridge to Bidston Windmill, the Observatory 7.30pm - 9.15pm followed by a walk across more fields Cost: FREE Walk length: 1.5 miles and Lighthouse passing some of the Cost: FREE (but please bring towards Clatterbridge before turning Booking Essential carvings before returning to the farm. some money if you want to join us north back to Brimstage. Sorry no dogs. Join members of the Oxton Society Children under 16 must be accompanied in a local pub afterwards!) Event Grid Reference: SJ304 827 History Group for a walk around Oxton by an adult. Sorry no dogs. Walk length: 4 Miles Contact: 0151 605 0591 Village exploring its development from Event Postcode: CH43 7PD A pleasant flat circular walk takes us Email: [email protected] early agricultural origins to the place it Contact: 07803 166 221 via a bridleway and then paths across Meet at: Brimstage Craft Centre Car Park is today and the characters and events Meet at: Tam O’Shanter Cottage, Bidston which helped to shape it. This walk covers Village Road, St Saviours and Wellington Road. Royden Park Tuesday 9th May, 7.30pm - 9.15pm Event Postcode: CH43 5SF Cost: FREE (but please bring some Volunteer Task Days Contact: 0151 652 0202 money if you want to join us E-mail: [email protected] in a local pub afterwards!) Wirral’s Rights Of Way Officer has Thursday morning task days from 10am - 1pm Meet at: Post box next to Home Café, Walk length: 4 miles meeting at the following locations regardless of the weather: Oxton Village Centre We head east to the Greasby Brook and then south and around Benty Farm 4th May: Hill, 18th May: Royden Park, before climbing gently up Thurstaston Thorsway / Kings Drive meet at the main car park Hill with fine views across the River Dee to 11th May: Brimstage: Talbot Ave / 25th May: Thurstaston / Dungeon Wood, Wales. A steady descent brings us back Brimstage Road meet opposite Thurstaston Church via Hillbark to the car park. Sorry no dogs. Event Grid Reference: SJ245 860 Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Contact: 0151 605 0591 For further information Tel: 0151 606 2480 Mobile: 07795 367 276 Email: [email protected] Meet at: Royden Park Car Park 8 9 Willaston Kissing Gate Walk Coast to Coast: The Wirral Footpaths Wednesday 10th May, Parkgate to Eastham 10.30am – 1pm Thursday 11th May, Cost: FREE 11.15am - 4.15pm and Open Spaces Walk length: 4.5 miles Cost: FREE Walk length: 10 miles Preservation Society A walk through fields and lanes around We will walk along the Wirral Way to this historic farming village. Toilets and Hadlow Road Station in Willaston for a refreshments available at the Hadlow picnic lunch (please bring your own) The Wirral Footpaths and Open Spaces Preservation Society has contributed Road Museum. Sorry no dogs. before continuing to Raby Mere and Dibbinsdale Local Nature Reserve before over 30 walks to the Wirral Walking Festival since the annual festival began in Event Grid Reference: SJ 331 773 finishing at Eastham Country Park. Contact: 0151 327 4125 2013. This year the society is both opening and closing the festival with walks Sorry no dogs. E-mail: [email protected] on the first and last days in May. Walks vary from short circular walks to longer Meet at: Hadlow Road Station, Willaston Event Grid Reference SJ 280 779 full day hikes that take you from one side of the peninsula to the other. Contact: 0151 604 1057 Meet at: Mostyn House School, Parkgate Ness and Little Neston As well as organising walks for the walking festival the society organises a Wednesday 10th May, 7pm - 9pm full and varied programme of guided walks throughout the year and also Cost: FREE (but bring some Bromborough Pool - undertakes practical footpath maintenance tasks including vegetation money if you would like to The First Garden Village Friday 12th May, 2pm - 3.30pm control, clearance, installation of accessible gates and maintenance of the join us for a drink afterwards) Walk length: 3.75 miles Cost: FREE Walk length: 2 Miles historic black and white direction markers. Join the Cestrian (Chester) Ramblers From Prices Candle Works to the present Group for a pleasant circular walk with day this guided walk will look at features of estuarine views at the start over well interest and will also delve into the further marked paths, tracks and lanes. There past with a visit to the old courthouse site. The work of Autism Together and the Members can get actively involved in leading guided walks, helping is one sandstone stile with three steps and a metal bar on this walk that also Land Trust will also feature on this walk with practical conservation tasks or helping with the running and includes very gradual height changes. which takes place mostly over paved promotion of the society. Sorry no dogs. surfaces. Walkers are encouraged to visit Bromborough Pool Garden Centre where Annual membership is £4 for individuals and £6 for joint membership Event Grid Reference: SJ290 761 there is parking. Sorry no dogs. Group and society membership is £5 Contact: 07765890207 E-mail: [email protected] Event Postcode: CH62 4TT Meet at: The Harp Inn, Neston Contact: 0151 643 1359 [email protected] Meet at: Bromborough Pool Garden Centre

Spital disused Lever Railway Line by the back Friday 12th May, 7.30pm - 9.15pm of the Croft Retail Park before crossing Cost: FREE the A41 and back through Brotherton (but please bring some Park. You may wish to bring a torch for money if you want to join us the short tunnel section!. Sorry no dogs. Contact: 0151 625 7361 | [email protected] in a local pub afterwards!) Event Grid Reference: SJ339 829 For further information about the society including news, Walk length: 4 Miles Contact: 0151 605 0591 events and for membership application forms please visit: A circular walk starting from the station, Email: [email protected] www.wirralfootpaths.org.uk through Brotherton Park and Spital Dam Meet at: Spital Station Car Park towards Village along the 10 11 Port Sunlight River Park - Rhododendrons in Park Wood Wirral Walking From Refuse to Recreation Saturday 13th May, 2pm - 3pm Saturday 13th May, Cost: FREE Walk length: 1 mile Festival 2017 1.30pm - 3pm Booking essential Cost: FREE Join members of the Friends of Bidston Walk length: 2.5 Miles Hill on this walk to see the colourful Buggy Park Fitness This exciting new park opened in rhododendrons and learn more about August 2014 having been reclaimed Bidston Hill and it’s local and natural Cost: £4.65 per session | Invigor8 members: FREE from a former landfill site. Find out how history. Please note that this walk includes Looking to get back in shape, make new friends and get fit at the same time? this happened, learn about the history an ascent and descent on uneven steps Have a go today! We cater for all levels of fitness and offer a choice of times and and what the future holds for this 30ha and the ground may be muddy. Suitable locations to suit - plus, no babysitter needed! (Sorry no dogs.) green space with its woodlands and footwear is therefore essential. amazing views of Wirral, North Wales Event Grid Reference: SJ 287 894 Ashton Park Mayer Park and the Liverpool skyline. This walk will Contact: 07884 162481 Mondays & Wednesdays Fridays 10.30am - 11.30am be led by Biffa staff and the Ranger and E-mail: [email protected] 10.30am - 11.30am Meet at main entrance. is over gentle slopes. Sorry no dogs. Meet at: Bidston Hill Windmill Meet at the tennis courts, Event Postcode: CH62 4TQ Upper Park. (except Bank Holidays) Contact: 07587 550060 [email protected] Burton Marsh Birdsong Meet at: Port Sunlight River Park, Dock and Breakfast Road North, Bromborough Sunday 14th May, 7am - 10am Run in Wirral Cost: £8 per person Cost: £3 per session | Invigor8 members: FREE Walk length: 3 miles Thor’s Rocks: Booking essential Ideal for anyone who would love to start running and wants some support and Geology at Thurstaston encouragement. Qualified run leaders will motivate and help you start your Saturday 13th May, 2pm - 4pm A gentle walk with an expert guide along running journey off. We know that most people are very nervous when starting out Cost: FREE Burton Marsh Greenway to Burton Point, but don’t worry as the group have all been there. We also understand that people Walk length: listening and looking for the variety of have busy lives and everyone can dip in and out. You don’t need any special 3 kilometres songbirds that make their home on the equipment at this stage - just turn up dressed ready to exercise, with your trainers Booking essential inner marsh: various warblers, Water Rails, on and you might want to bring a small bottle of water. (Sorry no dogs) Reed Buntings and Skylarks nest here. The From the car park we will climb to the price includes a cooked breakfast at Nets Wirral Tennis Centre Frankby viewpoint at the top of the hill in order Café afterwards. Sorry no dogs. to look at the overall impact of the Mondays, 12.15pm Thursdays, 5.30pm Event Postcode: CH64 0TG Absolute beginners. Phone for location underlying geology on the scenery around the . We will then Contact: 0151 353 8478 West Kirby Concourse E-mail: [email protected] Mondays & Wednesdays, 6.30pm Birkenhead Park tour looking at various outcrops of red sandstone. Meet at: Station Road/Denhall Lane Couch 2 5k as well as usual session Saturdays, 9.45am junction, west of Burton Village Meet at the Pavilion Sorry no dogs. West Kirby Concourse Event Grid Reference: SJ 246 846 Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9.30am West Kirby Concourse Contact: 01948 820 728 E-mail: [email protected] Sundays, 8.30am Meet at: Telegraph Road Car Park (Near to the Cottage Loaf) Tuesdays, 6.30pm Saturday Morning with TEX Meet by the Toby Carvery All welcome, including beginners. The Secret Gardens of Oxton Sunday 14th May, 10am - 5pm Phone Tex for start location on Enjoy a day walking around the many gardens on view in this conservation village, The Oval 07969 820 893 have a lunch break, enjoy the music and entertainment (including activities for Wednesdays, 6.15pm children and adults) and visit the arts and crafts stalls. There is something for everyone. Most importantly, enjoy the day with your friends and family. Tickets (children free) will be available from 3rd April. Please visit: www.oxtonsociety.org.uk 12 Contact: Fiona Hanik 07769 674 718 | E-mail: [email protected] 13 Thornton Hough Circular Red Rocks Evening Walk Prenton Circular Sunday 14th May, 11am - 3.30pm Sunday 14th May, 7pm - 9pm Tuesday 16th May, Tuesday 16th May, 7.30pm - 9.15pm Cost: FREE Cost: £5 11am - 2pm Cost: FREE (but please bring (but bring some money Walk length: 2 kilometres Cost: FREE some money if you want to join if you want refreshments Booking essential Walk length: 5 - 6 miles us in a local pub afterwards!) at Claremont Farm) Walk length: 3.5 Miles Join members of Wildlife From Marsh Lane we go south through Walk length: 7 miles Trust on an evening walk at Red Rocks Storeton Woods, down Rest Hill Road We meet at the entrance to the Dales Crossing field paths to Clatterbridge with a chance to listen out for singing and across field paths to Levers in Oldfield Road, past Dale Farm down the walk continues alongside Claire Natterjack Toads. Sorry no dogs. Causeway, turning left to Little Storeton through the Dales to Pipers Lane and House and on to Claremont Farm for a where we join the Roman Road to onto the Wirral Way near to Sheldrakes Event Postcode: CH47 1HN chance to stop for some refreshments Prenton. We then cross Walker Park to Restaurant. We go up through the Contact: 019488 20728 (or bring a packed lunch if preferred) Pine Walks and return to Marsh Lane. Dungeons and back to Oldfield Road. Email: [email protected] before crossing Brackenwood Golf This walk is mostly flat except the Meet at: Hoylake Event Grid Reference: SJ 314 852 Course and returning via byways to stepped climb at the Dungeons. Contact: 0151 342 4462 Brimstage and field paths back to Sorry no dogs. Email: [email protected] Thornton Hough. Sorry no dogs. Meet at: Marsh Lane Event Grid Reference: SJ 259 824 Event Grid Reference: SJ 303 810 Contact: 0151 605 0591 Contact: 0151 625 9509 “A very interesting walk” Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Meet at: Oldfield Road, Heswall Meet at: Smithy Hill, Thornton Hough Wirral Walking Festival Feedback 2016

‘The Crash Site’: Storeton descending through fields to Landican to Little Storeton Friday 19th May, Brimstage Lane. Here we turn right Monday 15th May, 12.45pm - 3.30pm 7.30pm - 9.15pm through fields and past the cattery Cost: FREE (please bring some Cost: FREE (but please bring to Storeton, returning via Lever money if you wish to stay some money if you want to Causeway to the start. Sorry no dogs. for refreshments afterwards) join us in a local pub afterwards!) Event Grid Reference: SJ314 853 Walk length: 4 Miles Walk length: 4 Miles Booking essential Contact: 0151 605 0591 From Marsh Lane we walk south Email: [email protected] Join us for a ‘taster’ of our regular through Storeton Wood and Hancock Meet at: Marsh Lane/Storeton Road, monthly walks on this very rural walk Wood to Bracken Lane before Higher Bebington through three quaint Wirral hamlets and along some ancient lanes and byways. We pass the site of Wirral’s worst ever A Walk with the air crash, a United States B-24 Liberator Garden Manager bomber that exploded mid-air and Workers Cottages around Port Sunlight at Ness Botanic Gardens crashed at Landican killing all on board. Sunday 14th May, 2pm - 4pm Please note that this walk includes Thursday 18th or Saturday 20th May, of the people who Cost: £7.50 Walk length: 2 miles crossing a number of stiles, goes across 10.30am - 12noon lived in these homes. Cost: £4 Walk length: 3 Miles The walk ends with a look A chance to walk around the famous fields and appropriate clothing and Booking Essential inside a cottage recreated to gardens with our Garden Manager, footwear are essential. There will be represent its appearance in 1913. Nick Lightfoot. Sorry no dogs. a chance to relax with a hot drink at Join members of the Port Sunlight Arrowe Park on our return. Village Trust for a walking tour exploring Event Postcode: CH62 5DX Event Postcode: CH64 4AY some of the different styles of housing Contact: 0151 644 6466 Contact: 0151 795 6300 Event Postcode: CH49 5LW in Port Sunlight for Lever Brothers E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Contact: 0151 482 3456 workers and how they differed with Meet at: Port Sunlight Museum Meet at: Ness Botanic Gardens Meet at: Arrowe Park Golf Club, next to the Toby Carvery Inn status. Discover some of the stories Higher Bebington 14 15 Wirral Walking Festival 2017 Warrens Port Sunlight River Park Tuesdays, 11am Wednesdays, 5.30pm An easy walk around Arrowe Park. A choice of walks from 1-2 miles with views Health Walks Good footwear advisable. of Wirral and the Liverpool skyline. The Health walks are FREE short, friendly, weekly walks for Meet at: The Warrens Medical Centre, longer route has some inclines. all, especially those new to walking. Meet new people Arrowe Park Road Meet at: Port Sunlight River Park Car Park, and enjoy the beauty of Wirral with our trained walk leaders. off Dock Road North, Bromborough There’s no need to book but please arrive 10 minutes early on Wallasey your first walk to register. You need comfy shoes and water if it is hot. Tuesday evenings, 7.15pm These walks continue throughout the year and additional locations may Particularly suitable for beginners. Royden Park be available. For current walks, please go to: www.walkingforhealth.org.uk Meet at: Grove Road Station Thursdays, 2.30pm

Wallasey Village Library A longer than usual walk - Guinea Gap West Kirby not suitable for beginners. Wednesdays & Fridays, 11am Mondays, 10am (Except Bank Holiday) Mondays, 12noon (Except Bank Holiday) Meet at: Royden Park Car Park An easy walk along the promenade This walk is not suitable for beginners. A short walk along pavements avoiding with views along the Mersey up to Vale Meet at: Wirral Sailing Centre, West steep inclines and accessible for all Park. A flat accessible route except for Kirby Marine Lake with views of the coast. Meet at: Wallasey Village Library, Birkenhead Park access to the prom. Sundays, 11am Meet at: The Fitness Suite, Riverview St. George’s Road Road opposite the swimming baths Particularly suitable for beginners with a Arrowe Country Park Port Sunlight choice of longer and shorter routes. Tuesdays, 10.30am Wednesdays, 11am Meet at: Birkenhead Park Pavilion Birkenhead Park A faster walk of up to 3 miles. Particularly suitable for beginners. Mondays, 11am Meet at: Red Rooms, Meet at: Port Sunlight Station Particularly suitable for beginners. Arrowe Country Park Health Walk Meet at: the Visitor Centre. West Kirby at Birkenhead Park Wednesdays, 12noon Friday 19th May, 10am – 11am Port Sunlight River Park Particularly suitable for beginners. Booking essential Wallasey Village Library Tuesdays, 10.30 Meet at Wirral Sailing Centre Mondays, 11am (Except Bank Holiday) A choice of walks from 1-2 miles with Three 20 minute routes around the A short walk along pavements avoiding views of Wirral and the Liverpool skyline. Eastham Country Park Lower Park with refreshments in the steep inclines and accessible for all The longer route has some inclines. Wednesdays, 1.30pm Pavilion afterwards. with views of the coast. Meet at: Port Sunlight River Park Car Superb views across the . Contact: 0151 482 3456 Meet at: Wallasey Village Library, Park, off Dock Road North, Meet at: Eastham Country Park Meet at: Birkenhead Park Pavilion St. George’s Road Bromborough Visitor Centre

Could you be a Health Walk leader? Special at Royden Park Free Health Walk Leader Training on have attended a Health Walk previously Friday 26th May, 11am - 1pm after about 2 hours. Bring a picnic for Friday 5th May, 9.30am - 4.15pm and be prepared to lead or assist with Cost: FREE Walk Length: 2 or 4 miles afterwards or purchase a snack from the at The Spider Project, Hamilton Street, local walks. There will be a short walk A choice of two walks - either a leisurely café in the park. Sorry no dogs. Birkenhead included in the training. short walk along paths within the park Event Postcode: CH48 1NP An interactive fun training day to equip To book your Health Walk Leader or a longer brisk walk for the more Contact: 0780346 0449 you with the knowledge and skills to Training please call 07910 960 316 adventurous of 4 miles or over venturing E-mail: [email protected] lead Health Walks. Volunteers should or email: [email protected] out of the park along footpaths and Meet at: The Barking Mad Café - woodland to return to the starting point Royden Park 16 17 Oxton History Walk (East) Little Neston Circular Saturday 20th May, 11am – 12.45pm Sunday 21st May, Cost: FREE 10.30am Start Walk length: 1.5 miles Cost: FREE Booking essential Walk length: 5 miles Join members of the Oxton Society Join members of the Friends of Lees History Group for a walk around Oxton Lane Ponds on a walk encompassing Village exploring its development from ponds and marl pits, the Wirral Way, early agricultural origins to the place the Dee Estuary the area’s industrial it is today and the characters and heritage and Cuckoo Lane. What is Bioblitz? events which helped to shape it. This Event Grid Reference: SJ 306 776 The Bioblitz is an opportunity to find and record as many walk covers Fairview Road, South Bank Contact: 07879 625 282 plants and animals as possible within a short time. and Arno Road including parts on E-mail: [email protected] unmade roads. Meet at: Lees Lane Ponds Car Park Bioblitz at Port Sunlight River Park will start on Friday 26th May with school groups Event Postcode: CH43 5SF and recorders working together, followed by a public bat walk that evening with Contact: 0151 652 0202 A Guided Walk with Tim Baxter moth and small mammal trapping. On Saturday 27th May, as well as the organised E-mail: [email protected] at Ness Botanic Gardens walks, there will be stations around the River Park where you can learn more about Meet at: Post box next to Home Café Sunday 21st May, 2pm - 4pm the wildlife and help identify some. There could be hundreds and hundreds of Cost: £7.50 species here and we want to find as many as possible during the BioBlitz - we need Greasby Village History Walk Walk length: 2 miles your help! Come for a walk and find out more. We’ll be working with Wirral Wildlife, Sunday 21st May, 3pm - 5pm Cheshire Record and many more local groups from 10am to 4pm. Cost: FREE Walk length: 1 mile A chance to walk around the famous Booking essential gardens with expert botanist Tim Baxter. Sorry no dogs. The Bats of Port Sunlight River Park Flower Walk Enjoy a walk around the old village Friday 26th May, 9pm - 10.30pm Saturday 27th May, 10.30am - 12noon centre of Greasby. Sorry no dogs. Event Postcode: CH64 4AY Contact: 0151 795 6300 Cost: £3 per person Cost: £3 per person Event Postcode: CH49 3AT Email: [email protected] Walk length: 1.5 miles Walk length: 2 miles Contact: 0741 933 7064 Booking essential Meet at: Ness Botanic Gardens Wild flowers, garden escapes and Meet at: Greasby Library This is an easy walk stopping to see rarities. Come and discover the Meols and listen to the variety of bats using wonderful variety of flowers at Port Thurstaston and West Kirby Tuesday 23rd May, bat detectors. There is a gentle slope, Sunlight River Park. There is a gentle Sunday 21st May, 7.30pm – 9.15pm on good paths, from the car park to slope on good paths from the car park 10am – 3.30pm Cost: FREE (but please bring the lake. Children aged 8 and over are to the lake which is fine for buggies. Cost: FREE some money if you want to welcome but must be accompanied This event is suitable for children aged 3 Walk length: 9 miles join us in a local pub afterwards!) and please dress warmly. Sorry no dogs. years old and over. Sorry no dogs. Join members of the Cestrian Ramblers Walk length: 4 Miles Group for this circular walk that includes This circular walk takes us via Dovepoint beach, woodlands, fields and the Road to the prom and heading south A Family Fun Nature Walk Wirral Way. Three are a few stiles on this west to King’s Gap and along the coast walk that includes an ascent up to Saturday 27th May, 1.30pm - 3pm to Red Rocks. Return is via Stanley Road Cost: FREE Walk length: 1.5 Miles Thurstaston Hill. Please bring a packed and the Green Lodge back to the lunch. Sorry no dogs. station with no ascent involved. Bees, birds, butterflies and bugs... what will we discover on this Nature Trail? There Event Grid Reference: SJ 239 834 Sorry no dogs. is a gentle slope on good paths from the car park to the lake and which is fine for buggies. This event is suitable for children aged 3 and over. Sorry no dogs. Contact: 01244 880649 Event Grid Reference: SJ 233 897 Email: [email protected] Contact: 0151 605 0591 Meet at: Visitor Centre, Email: [email protected] The following details are for the events on this page - Postcode: CH62 4LN Thurstaston Meet at: Meols Station Car Park Contact: 07587 550 060 | [email protected] 18 Meet at: Port Sunlight River Park, Dock Road North, Bromborough 19 Port Sunlight Neston to Heswall Wirral has 25 miles of stunning coastline and over Friday 26th May, 7.30pm - 9.15pm Saturday 27th May, Cost: FREE (but please bring some 11.15am - 3.30pm 1,500 hectares of parks and open spaces which money if you want to join us Cost: FREE Walk length: 6 miles in a local pub afterwards!) A pleasant level walk, using public provide endless leisure opportunities for walking, Walk length: 3.5 miles footpaths, the Wirral Way, field tracks From Bridge Inn we cross the A41 and some minor roads/lanes via cycling and enjoying time with friends and family. and the football fields and into Parkgate and Gayton. Finish at Heswall River Park. There is a gentle climb Bus Station. Sorry no dogs. in the park to give us fine views of Event Postcode: CH64 9XJ Liverpool across the Mersey. We return Contact: 0151 733 0645 via Bolton Road East and across the Email: [email protected] A41 to Port Sunlight. Sorry no dogs. Meet at: Event Postcode: CH62 4UW Sainsbury’s Supermarket, Neston Contact: 0151 605 0591 Email: [email protected] Meet at: The Bridge Inn, Port Sunlight Raby to Cherry Wood Tuesday 30th May, 7.30pm - 9.15pm Sunset Walk to Hilbre Cost: FREE (but please bring Friday 26th May, 6pm - 9pm some money if you want to join us Cost: £3 Walk length: 4 miles in a local pub afterwards!) Booking essential Walk length: 4 Miles Join the Rangers and Friends of Hilbre From the Wheatsheaf we head south for a gentle evening stroll to the islands along a track that takes us to Cherry of the Hilbre Archipelago. On the Wood and them emerges onto Quarry walk we will learn about the islands’ Road. We then go by track and road; maritime history and look for some first to the Old Mill and then return of the fantastic wildlife that makes passing Roselea Cottage before a Hilbre its home. Suitable footwear and pleasant walk up rural School Lane and waterproofs are essential. Sorry no dogs. then across fields to return to Raby. Event Postcode: CH48 0QG Sorry no dogs. Email: [email protected] Event Grid Reference: SJ312 798 Meet at: West Kirby Sailing Centre Contact: 0151 605 0591 Email: [email protected] Meet at: The Wheatsheaf Car Park, Raby To enjoy the best of Wirral’s The Secret Paths of route can be rather muddy in parts if Parks, Coast and Countryside Backford and Stoak weather has been wet so please wear download free walking and appropriate footwear. Please bring plenty Wednesday 31st May, cycle trail leaflets, Wirral 10.30am - 2pm Cost: FREE of water and lunch as required. Walk length: 6 miles Event Grid Reference: SJ 398 718 Circular Trail and a Nature A pretty, circular walk along little-known Contact: 0151 677 4594 Guide at www.visitwirral.com footpaths to Stoak and back with a E-mail: [email protected] possible stop at the Bunbury Arms. The Meet at: Outside the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, Gordon Lane, Backford 20 21 SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE DICK & DOM LIVE! | BALL OF FIRE - THE STORY OF EVERTON LEGEND ALAN BALL MISTER MAKER & THE SHAPES LIVE! | THE NORTHERN SOUL & MOTOWN TOUR STAND BY ME - A CELEBRATION OF BEN E KING & THE DRIFTERS THE WEDDING RECEPTION - DINNER SHOW

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