Choose from nearly 200 walks in May: there’s something for everyone! Wirral Walking Festival 2018 Wirral Walking ACCESS POLICY Festival 2018 Many of the walks in this the walk at the times shown, brochure are accessible to again please contact the Coordinated by Wirral Council’s Parks and Countryside Service, the people with limited mobility. walk leader who will be Wirral Walking Festival highlights the variety of walks that take place However it is recommended able to advise of alternative on the peninsula in May each year from short strolls around private that you check with the meeting points for you to gardens to long distance treks passing through Wirral’s parks, coast walk organiser for each join the walk at a different and countryside areas. Many of the walks are just part of an annual event if you have specific location later on. programme like the Buggy Park Fitness sessions or Walking for Health requirements including Dogs are welcome on all Walks and both Wirral Ramblers and Wirral Footpaths and Open wheelchair access or are walks unless shown. The Spaces Preservation Society offer a full calendar of walks that take unable to step over stiles. responsibility for the dog In many cases the walk lies with the dog owner who place throughout the year. route can be adapted to must ensure that their dog provide access for all. Also, remains under close control For those who want an opportunity to go just a little bit faster we’ve included our Run in Wirral programme of events, aimed at if you are unable to attend at all times. beginners. We’ve also highlighted walks within as 2018 marks the park’s 50th anniversary as the first designated Country Park in Britain. Look out for the park logo next Disabled Holiday Information is an to walks that include sections of the Wirral Way as well as the Dungeon, foreshore awareness-led charity founded by and . Frank and Sue Napper in 2001. As well as providing free information on fully accessible leisure time pursuits on their Whether you’re joining a friends group for a walk around their local park, taking part in a website and in guides and fact sheets, health walk (or even a run) or taking a packed lunch on a walk crossing from one side of the their volunteers engage in a variety of peninsula to the other, we hope that you enjoy the 2018 Wirral Walking Festival and will take a related activities to assess opportunities couple of minutes to complete the on-line event feedback survey at www.visitwirral.com so for people with disabilities including those that we can continue to improve the festival and the range of walks on offer. who might not normally participate fully in community life. The resultant data is accessible in a visually stimulating format that will hopefully encourage other Information about access in parks and people with similar needs to expand open spaces facilities as well as and enhance their life experience thus information on where to stay and Many thanks to the Photographic Society who have improving their health and wellbeing. activities can be found at provided some of the photographs used in this brochure, www.disabledholidayinfo.org.uk including the front cover photograph. 1 Flaybrick Memorial Gardens The History of Pool - and Arboretum Tuesday 1st May, 7.30pm - 9.15pm Little A Garden Village Tuesday 1st May, 11am - 1pm Cost: FREE and Ness Friday 4th May, Cost: FREE Walk length: 4 miles Wednesday 2nd May, 10am - 12noon Walk Length: 1- 2 miles 10.30am - 1.30pm Cost: FREE This circular walk takes us Cost: FREE Walk length: 2 Miles from the pub car park to Come and find out about Walk length: 5 miles Booking essential Bidston Village and Bidston Hall. We pass the fascinating history of Booking essential Bidston Windmill, before returning to the From Prices Candle Works to the present and stories of the personalities Wirral Hundred. Sorry, registered assistance A pleasant, easy walk mainly on footpaths day this guided walk will look at features of that helped to make it the way it is. This walk dogs only. with plenty of local history and including interest and will also delve into the further is over uneven ground and flat shoes are a stretch of the . Bring a picnic past with a visit to the old courthouse site recommended. All children under the age of Event Postcode: CH43 9JF lunch if the weather is good! which may be muddy - other paths are 16 years old must be accompanied by an Contact: 0151 605 0591 paved. The work of Autism Together and the adult. Sorry, registered assistance dogs only. Email: [email protected] Event Grid Reference: SJ306 775 Land Trust will also feature on this walk. Meet at: Wirral Hundred Car Park, Contact: 0151 677 4594 Event Postcode: CH43 7PD Townfield Lane Email: [email protected] Event Postcode: CH62 4TT Contact: 07803 166 221 Meet at: Lees Lane Car Park (Wirral Way), Contact: 07587 550 060 Meet at: Tam O’Shanter Cottage, Bidston Little Neston [email protected] Meet at: Bromborough Pool Garden Centre, Wildflowers in the Woodland The Green Bluebells Galore! Wednesday 2nd May, 10am - 12noon Cost: FREE Tuesday 1st May, 2pm - 4pm Parkgate Walk Length: Less than 2 miles Cost: FREE (donations welcome) Wednesday 2nd May, Walk length: 2 kilometres Join the Rangers for a walk around 7pm - 8.30pm at this special time Cost: FREE A walk along footpaths Friday 4th May, 7.30pm - 9.15pm of year when wildflowers, and especially Walk length: 3 miles to enjoy the Bluebells, Cost: FREE the native Bluebells, begin to bloom on the Celandines, Wood A flat, easy walk following Walk length: 4 Miles woodland floor. Anemones, and other roads, paths and part of A pleasant flat circular walk takes flowers of the ancient Event Grid Reference: SJ326 818 the Wirral Way. us via a bridleway and then paths across woodland within Contact: 0151 327 1007 Sorry, registered assistance dogs only. fields to . A brief section on Dibbinsdale Local Nature Reserve and Email: [email protected] Event Postcode: CH64 6SA Thornton Common Road is then followed admire its sights, sounds and smells. Meet at: The Rangers Office, Contact: 07818 076793 by a walk across more fields towards Eastham Country Park Event Grid Reference: SJ342 819 Email: [email protected] Clatterbridge before turning north back Contact: 0151 327 5923 Meet at: The Donkey Stand, to Brimstage. Sorry, registered assistance Below: Extract of ‘Bluebells’ E-mail: [email protected] near the Ship Hotel, Parkgate dogs only. an oil on canvas by Hazel Thomson Meet at: Outside Bromborough Rake Station www.hazelthomsonart.com Event Grid Reference: SJ304 827 Contact: 0151 605 0591 Email: [email protected] Meet at: Brimstage Craft Centre Car Park

“Excellent history guide, informative, funny and interesting. Perfect” Wirral Walking Festival Feedback 2017 2 3 SOUTH WIRRAL Bats of The River Park Oxton History Walk (West) , Wirral Way RAMBLERS The History of Park Friday 4th May, Saturday 5th May, 11am - 12.45pm and Dungeons Tuesday 8th May, 8.15pm - 9.45pm Cost: FREE Sunday 6th May, 10.30am - 1.30pm Cost: £3 per person Walk Length: 1.5 miles 10am - 3pm Cost: FREE Walk length: 2 miles Booking essential Cost: FREE Walk Length: 4.5 miles Booking Essential Walk length: 8 Miles Booking essential Join members of the Oxton This is an easy walk stopping Society History Group for a walk around A lovely circular walk A pretty walk around one of the most historic to listen to and see the variety of bats using Oxton Village exploring its development from with members of the parts of Wirral, but many residents know bat detectors. There is a gentle slope on early agricultural origins to the place it is South Wirral Rambling Club taking in the little or nothing about it. There’s plenty to good paths from the car park to the lake. today and the characters and events which Wirral Way, Dungeons, see, including views of the Dee Estuary and Children aged 8 and over are welcome but helped to shape it. This walk covers Village and Caldy. Please bring lunch and plenty of the remains of Shotwick Castle and your must be accompanied. Dress warmly. Road, Bidston Road and Wellington Road. fluids, suitable footwear and clothing. walk leader will explain particular points of historic interest. Can be muddy. Event Grid Postcode: CH62 4TQ Event Postcode: CH43 5SF Event Postcode: CH61 0HN Contact: 07587 550 060 Contact: 0151 652 0202 Contact: 07939 487686 Event Postcode: CH1 6BJ [email protected] Email: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Contact: 0151 677 4594 Meet at: Meet at: The post box next to Home Café, Meet at: Wirral Country Park Visitor Centre Email: [email protected] Oxton Village Centre Car Park, Thurstaston Meet at: Outside the Greyhound Inn, Seahill Road, Kirby Park Station Wirral Country Park - Saturday 5th May, The Surprising Secrets of ‘A Park of Great Worth’ 10am - 12noon Ness Botanic Gardens Monday 7th May, Tuesday 8th May, Saturday 5th May, 2pm - 4pm Cost: FREE 10am – 12noon 11am – 1pm Cost: £7.50 Walk length: 3 Miles Cost: FREE Cost: FREE Walk Length: 3 miles Booking essential Walk length: 3 miles Walk length: 3 - 4 miles Booking essential Booking Essential On the 5th May 1954 the last From St George’s Way to Thermopylae Pass A fascinating tour around the famous passenger train ran over the Hooton On the 7th May 1962 the last goods train ran (and the original site of Bidston Court) gardens taking in buildings and parts of to Branch Line and Kirby Park over the Hooton to West Kirby Branch Line. to Bidston Windmill, Observatory and the the garden not normally accessible to Station was closed. Today Wirral Country Park Wirral Country Park today is Wirral’s premier Lighthouse, looking at the carvings on the visitors and including a look at some of is Wirral’s premier outdoor visitor attraction outdoor visitor attraction and this Ranger-led way. Sorry, registered assistance dogs only. and this Ranger-led walk will look at the the research projects taking place and the walk will look at the park’s early history, its park’s early history, its development and stories behind the place and the plants. development and present management. Event Postcode: CH43 7PD present management and will finish with Sorry, registered assistance dogs only. Contact: 07803 166 221 refreshments in the Kirby Park Café. Event Grid Reference: SJ 239 834 Meet at: Tam O’Shanter Farm, Bidston Event Postcode: CH64 4AY Contact: 0151 648 4371 Event Grid Reference: SJ 239 834 Contact: 0151 795 6300 E-mail: [email protected] Contact: 0151 648 4371 Email: nessgdns@.ac.uk Meet at: Wirral Country Park Visitor Centre, Meet at: Ness Visitor Centre Email: [email protected] Thurstaston Tuesday 8th May, Meet at: Wirral Country Park Visitor Centre, 7.30pm – 9.15pm Thurstaston Cost: FREE Eastham Country Walk length: 4 miles Park History Walk This circular walk takes us via Dovepoint Monday 7th May, 10am - 12.30pm Road to the prom and heading south west Cost: FREE Walk length: 2 miles to King’s Gap and along the coast to Red Join the Ranger for a walk around Eastham Rocks. Return is via Stanley Road and the Country Park looking back in time at the Green Lodge back to the station with no history of this unusual and interesting site. ascent involved. Sorry, registered assistance dogs only. Event Grid Reference: SJ326 818 Contact: 0151 327 1007 Event Grid Reference: SJ 233 897 E-mail: [email protected] Contact: 0151 605 0591 Meet at: The Rangers Office, Email: [email protected] Eastham Country Park Meet at: Meols Station Car Park 4 5 Port Sunlight River Park Wirral Walking Festival 2018 Tuesdays, 10.30am & Wednesdays, 5.30pm Thursdays, 2.30pm A choice of walks from 1-2 miles with views A longer than usual walk - not suitable for Health Walks of Wirral and the Liverpool skyline. The longer beginners. route has some inclines. Meet at: Royden Park Car Park Health walks are FREE short, friendly, weekly walks for all, Meet at: Port Sunlight River Park Car Park, especially those new to walking. Meet new people and enjoy the off Dock Road North, Bromborough beauty of Wirral with our trained walk leaders. There’s no need to book but please arrive 10 minutes early on your first walk to register. You Village Library need comfy shoes and water if it is hot. These walks continue throughout Wallasey Fridays, 11am the year and additional locations may be available. For current walks, please Tuesday evenings, 7.15pm A short walk along pavements avoiding steep go to: www.walkingforhealth.org.uk Particularly suitable for beginners. inclines and accessible for all with views of Meet at: Grove Road Station the coast. Meet at: Wallasey Village Library, St. George’s Road Bromborough Library West Kirby Mondays, 10.30am (Not on Bank Holidays) Mondays, 12noon (Not on Bank Holidays) Wallasey Village Library Wednesdays, 11am There are some inclines and uneven This walk is not suitable for beginners. A short walk along pavements avoiding Bidston Hill surfaces on various routes to Dibbinsdale or Meet at: Wirral Sailing Centre, West Kirby Saturdays, 11am Eastham Country Park. Marine Lake steep inclines and accessible for all with Meet at: Bromborough Library, Allport Rd views of the coast. Some hills and uneven ground so stout Meet at: Wallasey Village Library, shoes or boots are recommended. St. George’s Road Meet at: Tam O’ Shanter Urban Farm Tuesdays, 10.30am Mondays, 11am Port Sunlight Birkenhead Park A faster walk of up to 3 miles. Wednesdays, 11am Particularly suitable for beginners. Sundays, 11am Meet at: Red Rooms, Walk through the historic village. Meet at: the Visitor Centre. Arrowe Country Park Particularly suitable for beginners with a Meet at: Port Sunlight Station, choice of longer and shorter routes. near the bowling green Meet at: Birkenhead Park Visitor Centre

Wallasey Village Library Warrens Mondays, 11am (Not on Bank Holidays) West Kirby Health Walk at First and third Tuesdays each month, 11am Wednesdays, 12noon A short walk along pavements avoiding Birkenhead Lower Park An easy walk around Arrowe Country Park. Particularly suitable for beginners. Friday 25th May, 11am - 12noon steep inclines and accessible for all with Good footwear advisable. Meet at Wirral Sailing Centre Booking essential views of the coast. Meet at: Wallasey Village Library, Meet at: The Warrens Medical A lovely 2.4 mile walk around the Lower Park St. George’s Road Centre, Road featuring the Grand Entrance, Swiss Bridge Eastham Country Park and Roman Boathouse. Please bring money Wednesdays, 1.30pm for refreshments afterwards. Superb views across the . Meet at: Birkenhead Park Visitor Centre Please phone to confirm meeting point: Contact: 0151 482 3456 Could you be a Health Walk leader? 07587550060

Free Health Walk Leader Training on Health initiative. Participants must have been Monday 21st May 9.30am - 4pm on a Health walk and be prepared to lead Summer Special Progression Walk at Lines Building, Canning Street, or assist in future Health Walks. Drinks will be Birkenhead, CH41 1ND provided but please bring lunch. Friday 25th May, 11am - 2pm shoes or boots are essential. A longer-length Cost: FREE Walk Length: 7 miles walk not suitable for beginners. Please bring The day will include a short Health Walk, To book your Health Walk Leader Training lunch, toilets are available en-route. route planning, Risk Assessments and please call 07910 960 316 This circular walk led by trained Health Walk information about the national Walking For or email: [email protected] leaders, will go through Arrowe Country Park Event Postcode: CH49 4LW to Irby Village and Thurstaston Common Contact: 0780346 0449 6 to Royden Park. It may be muddy so stout E-mail: [email protected] 7 Bats in Brotherton Park Oxton History Walk (East) Dibbinsdale History Walk Thurstaston Tuesday 8th May, Wednesday 9th May, Friday 11th May, Photowalk 8.45pm - 10.45pm 11am - 12.45pm 10am – 12.30pm Saturday 12th May, Cost: FREE Cost: FREE Cost: FREE 10am – 1pm Walk length: Less than 2 miles Walk length: 1.5 miles Walk length: 2 miles Cost: FREE Booking essential Booking essential Walk length: 3 miles Join the Rangers and Booking essential Join the Ranger for a walk around Join members of the Oxton Society History Friends of Dibbinsdale for Dibbinsdale Local Nature Reserve looking Group for a walk around Oxton Village a walk around the reserve looking at the Starting with a general and listening for the bats that live in and exploring its development from early ancient and recent history of this hidden chat about cameras and around the valley. There are some hills and agricultural origins to the place it is today gem. There are some steep hills and steps equipment and composition in the lecture sturdy footwear is recommended. Sorry, and the characters and events which along the route. theatre we will walk along the Wirral Way to registered assistance dogs only. helped to shape it. This walk covers Fairview the Dungeon with lots of photo opportunities Event Grid Reference: SJ 345 826 Road, South Bank and Arno Road including along the way. Event Grid Reference: SJ345 826 Contact: 0151 334 9851 parts on unmade roads. Contact: 0151 334 9851 E-mail: [email protected] Members of Birkenhead Photographic E-mail: [email protected] Event Postcode: CH43 5SF Meet at: The Rangers Office, Association will be on hand throughout Meet at: The Rangers Office, Dibbinsdale Contact: 0151 652 0202 Dibbinsdale Local Nature Reserve to give hints, tips, guidance and Local Nature Reserve E-mail: [email protected] encouragement so that you can be sure Meet at: The Post Box next to Home Café, to capture some great images, the kind Oxton Village Centre that will look superb on the living room wall! The Lost Buildings Bring with you your camera, spare batteries of Port Sunlight and memory cards (or film!) and loads Wednesday 9th May, Coast to Coast: of enthusiasm. Parkgate to Eastham 11am – 12.30pm Don’t forget appropriate footwear and Thursday 10th May, Cost: £7 clothing suitable for a short walk. Sorry, 11.15am - 4.15pm Walk length: 2 miles registered assistance dogs only. Booking essential Cost: FREE Walk length: 10 miles Event Postcode: CH61 0HN Discover how the historic garden village of Contact: 07740642462 We will walk along the Port Sunlight has changed over the past E-mail: [email protected] Wirral Way to Hadlow Road Station 130 years. Hear stories of some fascinating Meet at: Wirral Country Park Visitor Centre, in Willaston for a picnic lunch (please lost buildings and why they disappeared. Thurstaston Walk includes entry to museum & bring your own) before continuing to Raby worker’s cottage. Mere and Dibbinsdale Local Nature Reserve before finishing at Eastham Country Park. Event Postcode: CH62 5DX Sorry, registered assistance dogs only. Contact: 0151 644 6466 Email: [email protected] Event Grid Reference SJ 280 779 Spital The Lost Buildings Meet at: Port Sunlight Museum Contact: 0151 604 1057 Friday 11th May, 7.30pm – 9.15pm of Port Sunlight Meet at: Mostyn House School, Parkgate Cost: FREE Saturday 12th May, Walk length: 4 Miles 11am – 12.30pm Cost: £7 A circular walk starting from the Walk length: 2 miles station, through Brotherton Park and Booking essential Spital Dam towards Village along the disused Lever Railway Line by the back Discover how the historic garden village of of the Croft Retail Park before crossing the Port Sunlight has changed over the past A41 and back through Brotherton Park. 130 years. Hear stories of some fascinating You may wish to bring a torch for the short lost buildings and why they disappeared. tunnel section!. Sorry, registered assistance Walk includes entry to museum & dogs only. worker’s cottage. Event Grid Reference: SJ339 829 Event Postcode: CH62 5DX Contact: 0151 605 0591 Contact: 0151 644 6466 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Meet at: Spital Station Car Park Meet at: Port Sunlight Museum 8 9 Rhododendrons Flowering Thornton Hough Circular Circular Royden Park on Bidston Hill Sunday 13th May, Wednesday 16th May, Wednesday 16th May, Saturday 12th May, 11am – 3.30pm 10.30am – 1.30pm 7pm - 9pm 2pm – 3.30pm Cost: FREE Cost: FREE Cost: FREE (but please bring Cost: FREE Walk length: 2 miles Walk length: 7 miles Walk Length: 5 miles some money if you want to join Booking essential www.bidstonhill.org.uk us at the Old Rathbone afterwards!) Crossing fields to Clatterbridge the walk From Marsh Lane we go south through Walk length: 4 Miles Join members of the Friends of Bidston continues alongside Claire House and on Woods to Red Hill Road and then Hill on this walk from Bidston Windmill to Claremont Farm for a chance to stop across field paths to the M53 to Little Storeton A flat walk following paths and tracks across descending into Park Wood to see the for some refreshments (or bring a packed following the Roman road to Prenton. We fields and through woodland. We pass the colourful rhododendrons in flower returning lunch) before crossing Brackenwood then cross Walker Park to Pine Walks and RAF West Kirby Memorial and walk through to the Observatory. Please note that this Golf Course and returning via byways return to Marsh Lane. the former RAF Camp before returning to walk includes a steep ascent and descent. to Brimstage and fields back to Thornton Sorry, registered assistance dogs only. Royden Park. Sorry, registered assistance Suitable footwear is therefore essential. Hough. Sorry, registered assistance dogs only. dogs only. Event Grid Reference: SJ 314 852 Event Grid Reference: SJ 287 894 Event Grid Reference SJ 303 810 Contact: 0151 342 4462 Event Postcode: CH48 1NP Contact: 07884 162481 Contact: 0151 625 9509 Email: [email protected] Contact: 01244 880649 E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Meet at: Marsh Lane, Prenton Email: [email protected] Meet at: Bidston Hill Windmill Meet at: Smithy Hill, Thornton Hough Meet at: Royden Park Car Park

Willaston Dog Walk Secret Gardens of Friday 18th May, Red Rocks Evening Walk 1.50pm Start Saturday 12th May, 7pm – 9pm Oxton on Sunday 13th Cost: FREE Cost: £5 - see next page! Walk length: 6 miles Walk length: 2 kilometres Booking essential Booking essential The route mainly Join members of Cheshire Wildlife Trust on an Dales follows bridleways evening walk at Red Rocks with a chance to and footpaths through fields and woods Tuesday 15th May, listen out for singing Natterjack Toads. and returns using the Wirral Way. Good 7.30pm – 9.15pm Sorry, registered assistance dogs only. footwear required as it could be muddy. Cost: FREE Please bring your own refreshments. Well Event Postcode: CH47 1HN Walk length: 4 Miles Contact: 019488 20728 behaved dogs welcome! We meet at the ‘Spring Tree-lined Walk’ Email: [email protected] Event Grid Reference: SJ 330 773 entrance to the Dales in an oil on canvas by Hazel Thomson Meet at: Hoylake Contact: 0151 327 4125 Oldfield Road, past Dale Farm down www.hazelthomsonart.com Email: [email protected] through the Dales to Pipers Lane and onto Meet at: Hadlow Road Station, Willaston the Wirral Way near to Sheldrakes Restaurant. We go up through the Dungeons and back to Oldfield Road. This walk is mostly flat with except the stepped climb at the Dungeons. Sorry, registered assistance dogs only. The Secret Gardens Event Post Code: CH60 6SN of Oxton Contact: 0151 605 0591 Sunday 13th May, 10am - 5pm Email: [email protected] Enjoy a day walking around Meet at: Oldfield Road, Heswall the many gardens on view in this conservation village, have a lunch break, enjoy the music and entertainment “A really (including activities for children and adults). ‘Magical Evening Sunset’ There is something for everyone. Most an oil on canvas by Hazel Thomson enjoyable walk” importantly, enjoy the day with your friends www.hazelthomsonart.com and family. Information and tickets (children Wirral Walking Festival Feedback 2017 free) are available from the Oxton Society 10 website: www.oxtonsociety.org.uk 11 GREEN SPACES POETRY PICNICS WITH LENS & PEN CELEBRATE WIRRAL’S GREEN SPACES! Wirral Walking

Help us create posters about Wirral’s Poetry workshops are guided walks Festival 2018 parks and open spaces! combined with workshop sessions for creative writing. They are part of our Green Free Entry. Spaces Project. Full details and entry on our website. Buggy Park Fitness Closing date Friday 25th May. Free events but numbers are limited. For full Cost: £5.35 per session | Invigor8 members: FREE details and to book your place please visit Submit your own photos, short poems and our website. Looking to get back in shape, make new friends and get fit at the same time? prose representing the life and beauty of Have a go today! We cater for all levels of fitness and offer a choice of times and your favourite Wirral park or green space. Bring a packed lunch, pen and paper. Hot drinks provided. locations to suit - plus, no babysitter needed! (Sorry assistance dogs only.) The best 20 images and pieces of writing will be made into posters and displayed at Ashton Park Mayer Park the Wirral Festival of Firsts 2018. Others will Royden Park Poetry Picnic Mondays & Wednesdays Thursdays 10.45am - 11.45am be displayed in an online gallery. Sunday 13th May 2018 10.30am - 11.30am Meet at main entrance. 10.30am meet at Meet at the tennis courts, Online entry only. Royden Park Visitor Centre, Hill Bark road, Upper Park. (except Bank Holidays) Free to enter. , Wirral, CH48 1NP Enter as many times as you like! Led by poet and artist Janine Pinion. Run in Wirral Get some inspiration for Cost: £3.80 per session | Invigor8 members: FREE GREEN SPACES WITH LENS & PEN Ideal for anyone who would love to start running and wants some support and by coming on one of the encouragement. Qualified run leaders will motivate and help you start your running WIRRAL WALKING journey off. We know that most people are very nervous when starting out but don’t FESTIVAL WALKS worry as the group have all been there. We also understand that people have busy lives and everyone can dip in and out. You don’t need any special equipment at or come along to Royden Park this stage - just turn up dressed ready to exercise, with your trainers on and you for a walk followed by a creative writing might want to bring a small bottle of water. (Sorry assistance dogs only.) workshop. West Kirby Concourse Frankby Mondays & Wednesdays, 6.30pm Thursdays, 5.30pm Couch 2 5k as well as usual session Absolute beginners. Phone for location (except Bank Holidays) Birkenhead Park West Kirby Concourse Saturdays, 9.45am wirralfestivaloffirsts.org.uk Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9.30am Meet at the Visitor Centre

The Oval West Kirby Concourse Wednesdays, 6.15pm Sundays, 8.30am longer runs – 10K plus as 2 groups – faster and slower group.

12 Contact: Fiona Hanik 07769 674 718 | E-mail: [email protected] 13 Storeton ‘The Crash Site’: Willaston Port Sunlight River Park Friday 18th May, to Little Storeton Wednesday 23rd May, Friday 25th May, 7.30pm – 9.15pm Monday 21st May, 1pm – 4pm 6.45pm – 8.45pm 7.30pm – 9.15pm Cost: FREE Cost: FREE (but please bring some Cost: FREE (but please Cost: FREE Walk length: 4 miles money if you wish to stay for refreshments bring some money if Walk length: 4 miles afterwards) you want to join us for a From Marsh Lane we walk south through From the Bridge Inn we cross the A41 to Walk length: 5.5 Miles drink at the Pollard Inn Storeton Wood and Hancock Wood to Shorefields. We pass the lake with excellent Booking essential afterwards!) Bracken Lane before descending through views of the Mersey, Liverpool and the Walk length: 4.5 miles fields to Brimstage Lane. Here we turn Join us for a ‘taster’ of our regular Monday Welsh hills. We return to Port Sunlight via right through fields and past the cattery monthly walks through quaint Wirral hamlets The walk is along part of the Wirral Way, then Bolton Road East. Take your camera! to Storeton, returning via Lever Causeway and byways. We will pass the last resting local lanes and fields with a few stiles along Sorry, registered assistance dogs only. to the start. Sorry, registered assistance place of Sir Phillip Toosey and the site of the route. Overall the walk is quite flat. Sorry, Event Postcode: CH62 4UW dogs only. Wirral’s worst ever air crash in 1944. Please registered assistance dogs only. Contact: 0151 605 0591 note that this walk goes across fields which Event Postcode: CH63 5PP Event Grid Reference: SJ 330 777 Email: [email protected] could be muddy and appropriate clothing Contact: 0151 605 0591 Contact: 07791 588515 Meet at: Bridge Inn, Port Sunlight Village and footwear are essential. There will be a Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] chance to relax with a hot drink at Arrowe Meet at: Marsh Lane/Storeton Road, Meet at: Willaston Village Green Park on our return. Higher Bebington Event Postcode: CH49 5LW Contact: 0151 482 3456 The Fantastic Plants of Meet at: Arrowe Country Park Entrance, Past, Present and Ness Botanic Gardens Future at River Park The Arno History Walk next to the Toby Carvery Inn Saturday 26th May, Friday 25th May, 2pm - 4pm Sunday 20th May, 11am – 12.45pm 10.30am – 12noon Cost: £7.50 (additional money Cost: FREE Cost: FREE required for refreshments/lunch) Walk length: 1.5 miles Thornton Hough Walk length: 2.4 miles Walk length: 3 miles Booking essential Tuesday 22nd May, Booking essential Booking essential A guided history walk exploring Arno Hill 7.30pm – 9.15pm Find out how this park has been reclaimed A guided tour around Ness looking at the and the Arno and part of Oxton and how Cost: FREE from a landfill site, its history and what the amazing plants found in the gardens. Lunch it has developed from its early agricultural Walk length: 4 miles future holds for this 30 hectare green space will be available in the café followed by an origins to the place it is today and the From the village green we head with woodlands, wetlands and amazing extended tour down to the Dee Estuary and events and characters who helped to north west past the primary school. views of Wirral, north Wales and the Liverpool back to Ness. Sorry, registered assistance shape it. The walk includes Duck Pond We cross the Leverhulme access road and skyline. This walk will be jointly led by Biffa dogs only. Lane, Birch Road and Fairview Road. head for Brimstage. From here we return on staff and the Ranger. Registered assistance Event Postcode: CH64 4AY Event Postcode: CH42 8PQ good paths across fields before passing dogs only. Contact: 0151 795 6300 Contact: 0151 652 0202 Thomas’s path and returning to the start on Event Grid Postcode: CH42 4TQ Email: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] the pavement of Thornton Common Road. Sorry, registered assistance dogs only. Contact: 07587 550 060 Meet at: Ness Visitor Centre Meet at: The noticeboard next to Sainsbury’s [email protected] petrol station Event Grid Reference: SJ303810 Meet at: Port Sunlight River Park, Contact: 0151 605 0591 Dock Road North Email: [email protected] Meet at: Village Green Car Park

“Let’s have more of these very interesting events” Wirral Walking Festival Feedback 2017 14 15 The Minerals and Fossils Dr Hilary Davies, from Liverpool Geological Raby to Cherry Wood Heswall Dungeons of Thurstaston Shore Society, will explain the fascinating geology Tuesday 29th May, and Dales Saturday 26th May, 2pm – 4pm of Thurstaston Cliffs and the fossils in the 7.30pm – 9.15pm Wednesday 30th May, Cost: FREE Booking essential rock armour. Cost: FREE 7pm – 8.45pm Walk length: 2.5 kilometres Access to the foreshore is by steps and Walk length: 4 miles Cost: FREE Walk length: 3.75 miles much of the walk will be on sand. Stout From the Wheatsheaf we head south footwear essential. Sorry, registered along a track that takes us to Cherry Wood The walk starts along assistance dogs only. and them emerges onto Quarry Road. the Wirral Way then crosses Event Grid Reference: SJ 239 834 We then go by track and road; first to the Heswall Fields. A climb to the Dungeons Contact: 01948 820 728 Old Mill and then return passing Roselea and a descent back to the start via Heswall Meet at: Wirral Country Park Visitor Centre, Cottage before a pleasant walk up rural Dales with panoramic views all the way. Thurstaston School Lane and then across fields to There is one sandstone stile and steps at return to Raby. Sorry, registered assistance the Dungeon and at the start of the Dales dogs only. with a short amount of road walking at the beginning and end. Sorry, registered Event Grid Reference: SJ312 798 assistance dogs only. Contact: 0151 605 0591 Email: [email protected] Event Postcode: CH60 9JS Meet at: The Wheatsheaf Car Park, Raby Contact: 0151 336 5927 Meet at: Banks Road Car Park, Lower Heswall.

“The guide was friendly and knowledgeable and the short Sunset Walk to Hilbre guided tour about the archaeology Thursday 31st May, 6.30pm – 9.30pm and nature of the island was really Cost: £5 interesting and enjoyable” Walk length: 4 miles Booking essential Wirral Walking Festival Feedback 2017 Wetland Walk at Dibbinsdale LNR Join the Rangers and Friends of Hilbre for Monday 28th May, Village History Walk a gentle evening stroll to the islands of the 12.30pm – 2.30pm Monday 28th May, 3pm - 5pm Hilbre Archipelago. On the walk we will learn Cost: FREE Cost: FREE about the islands’ maritime history and Walk length: Less than 2 miles Walk length: 1 mile look for some of the fantastic wildlife that Booking essential Booking essential makes Hilbre its home. Suitable footwear and Join the Ranger for a walk alongside the Enjoy a walk around the old village centre of waterproofs are essential. River Dibbin and explore this rich wetland Greasby. Sorry, registered assistance dogs only. Sorry, registered assistance dogs only. habitat. Try your hand at pond dipping for a Event Postcode: CH49 3AT Event Postcode: CH48 0QG closer look at the aquatic wildlife. Contact: 0741 933 7064 Email: Event Grid Reference: SJ345 826 Meet at: Greasby Library [email protected] Contact: 0151 334 9851 Meet at: West Kirby Sailing Centre Email: [email protected] Meet at: The Rangers Office, Dibbinsdale Local Nature Reserve “Excellent walk with very enthusiastic guides” Wirral Walking Festival Feedback 2017 Extract of ‘Contemplation’ an oil on canvas by Hazel Thomson 16 www.hazelthomsonart.com 17 TUE 29th MAY 7:30pm

ALL TICKETS £39.00 (PRICES INCLUDE A £1.50 FEE PER TICKET)

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