Information WALK 1 Bidston Hill & River Fender WALK 2 The Wonders of Birkenhead This Walk and Cycle leaflet for Wirral covers the north eastern quarter and is one of a series of A circular walk starting at the Tam O’Shanter 2a Turn left onto Noctorum Lane. Follow this grows in the shallow sandy soils. Follow the main path Birkenhead has some fascinating historical traffic lights and turn left into Ivy Street, following 7 From the Transport Museum retrace your steps four leaflets each consisting of three walks and Urban Farm, this route takes you across Wirral unsurfaced lane to the junction with Budworth Road. along this natural Sandstone Pavement. The Windmill attractions and if you haven’t yet discovered the Birkenhead Priory sign on your right. Birkenhead back to Pacific Road where there is the Pacific Road one cycle route. Cross with care as there is a blind bend to the right. should now be coming into view. Priory is at the end of Priory Street on the left. This Arts Centre and on towards the river to view the Ladies Golf Course, along the River Fender and Continue along Noctorum Lane past Mere Bank on the them you may be pleasantly surprised. This walk former Benedictine monastery has an exhibition and the is Mersey Tunnel Ventilation Tower. The architect who 8 Continue to the iron footbridge above the deep rocky I have recently updated all 12 walks based on back to the heights of Bidston Hill with views of right. Continue straight ahead. The track swings right visits ten of them. Hamilton Square including the oldest building in Merseyside - a chapel dating from 1150. designed the tower, Herbert J. Rowse, was also responsible for cutting above Vyner Road North. The famous Bidston previous suggested routes, so thanks to my and descends past tall trees to the left and a high St. Mary’s Tower is worth the climb to enjoy views over to the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool and the similarities are predecessors for their hard work in earlier years. Liverpool to the east and the Welsh hills to the Windmill is a short distance on the right. If you walk former Town Hall, Birkenhead Priory, Woodside sandstone wall. There is a more open view to the right. Liverpool, Birkenhead and the Cammell Laird Ship Yard. evident. west and the Lancashire Fells to the north east. past the windmill along the sandstone ridge there are views Ferry, the new U-Boat Story, the Tramway, The four cycle routes have been developed by The dock directly in front of the tower was used to build the 3 Continue to the bottom of the hill where there is a over to Liverpool and the Welsh Hills. At the end of the ridge 8 Return back up Pacific Road to Shore Road Pumping our Cycling Officer Amanda Keenan. Egerton Bridge, the Transport Museum, Pacific Alabama, a wooden ship launched in 1862 for the Confederate The farm has a collection of farm animals, a small play row of shops and the Wirral Hundred pub. the building in front is the Bidston Observatory, built in 1866 Station opposite the Woodside Ferry. Navy which fought in the American Civil War. Information for wheelchair users area, information, toilets and a café. Contact the Ranger to determine the exact time from the stars which was then Road Arts Centre, the Mersey Tunnel Ventilation This building houses the ‘Giant Grasshopper’, a giant steam 4 At the road turn left, and cross the road at the Wheelchair users and people with access difficulties Service if you have any queries (0151 653 9332) . indicated by the One O’Clock Gun in Birkenhead between Shaft and Shore Road Pumping Station in one 3 Walk back up Priory Street and turn right. Continue pump which used to pump water from the Merseyrail Tunnel. pedestrian lights, continue into Calverly Close keeping should note that most of the Country Parks listed Seacombe and Woodside Ferries. straight on, then down Alabama Way to the river side Start: Tam O’Shanter Urban Farm, Boundary Road, the school on your right. Turn immediately right and afternoon! 9 To return to Hamilton Square turn right out of the below have suitable paths and facilities. The routes walkway at Monks Ferry. At the river turn left and Bidston or from Upton Railway Station. follow this wide paved path between the houses all the 9 To return to the car park, go back over the iron Pumping Station, cross over the end of Canning Street on this leaflet are primarily rural paths and access Start: Hamilton Square, Birkenhead. follow the path along the river. way to the bottom. bridge, take the middle of the three paths to the left. and round to Hamilton Square. can be difficult in places, albeit some ‘Access for all’ Distance: 4.5 miles. 2 - 4 hours. Distance: About 2 miles. 2 - 6 hours depending on The path decends down through the woods on King 3a Woodside Ferry Terminal and the new U-Boat Story. Parking: Tam O’Shanter Urban Farm car park. 5 When you get to the road which is Holmlands Drive, which attractions are visited. routes are currently being planned. Georges Way. The open space and the car park should This walk is best followed at weekends, bank holidays Buses and Trains: The nearest bus stops are on the turn right and then left into Christleton Close. Follow Parking: There are numerous car parks in the area, 4 There is also a replica of the ‘Resurgam’ which was the come into view on the left. The Tam O’Shanter Urban and local school holidays as several of the attractions corner of Upton Road and Boundary Road, near to the this road round to the left until you see the footpath on and rates vary. first steam-powered submarine in the world. The original is These routes make use of the Wirral Public Rights Of Farm and all its facilities are the other side of the car park. have restricted opening times. Check their respective start of the walk or Upton Station is at point 6 on the your right, and follow that path under the railway arch Buses and Trains: Regular services to and from wrecked off the coast of North Wales. There is a café, and Way (PROW) network. The newly updated Definitive websites via www.visitwirral.com . Map and Statement is now available on the Council route, therefore follow the instructions from there. into the Fender Valley. If you have joined the route from Upton Railway Woodside Bus Terminus. Hamilton Square Railway information and toilets. From here you could interrupt your Station, please continue the route from point 1 . Station has regular services from all adjacent areas. walk by taking a cruise via Liverpool and Seacombe. website. 1 From the main car park of Tam O’Shanter Urban 5a Turn first right (not across the bridge) and follow There are also plans to produce a Public Access Routes Farm, exit out of the far left hand corner where a small the footpath which runs between the railway line and 1 Make your way to the largest building in Hamilton 5 Outside Woodside Ferry Terminal the Birkenhead map which will give information of all PROW’s sign points to the windmill. Do not take this path, but the M53 all the way to Upton Railway Station. Square, the former Town Hall, where you will also see Tramway lines lead to Egerton Bridge. The original the War Memorial for those who have given their lives. Birkenhead tramway was claimed to be the first in Europe Permission Rutes and off road cycle tracks. take the worn, grassy path to the left of it. After 200 6 As the path finishes it bends to the right and over Hamilton Square dates from 1826 and has the most Grade 1 and first ran in 1860. The current tram lines were laid in When using multi purpose routes, please give metres on the edge of the woods onto the main path the railway with Upton Railway Station and the shops listed buildings in one place in England, except for Trafalgar 1995 and there are plans to extend it further. At Egerton consideration to all users. Please be considerate to known as King Georges Way. This footpath was opened on your right. Walk up Upton Road. Go straight on Bridge which is a ‘Bascule’ type, which is French for see-saw by King George V and Queen Mary on 25th March 1914. at the roundabout. When you reach the entrance to Square in London. The monument in the centre was modelled others and read the Countryside Code and Cycle because it rocks backwards and forwards to open and close. Windermere Road take the track opposite and continue on the Eleanor Cross, which was first built by King Edward I Safety information on this leaflet. 2 At the crossroads cross Upton Road at the traffic The black tower once housed machinery to power all the dock straight on to go under Vyner Road, this is the who twice visited Birkenhead Priory. The statue is of John On behalf of Wirral Council may I wish you a lights and continue along Boundary Road. The water bridges and sluice systems. A stroll around the perimeter of ‘Thermopylae Pass’. Laird who was the first MP for Birkenhead and his grave pleasant and enjoyable time walking and cycling tower is on the opposite side of the road on your left. can be seen at the Priory later. The former Town Hall was Egerton Dock and Morpeth Dock to the One O’Clock the Wirral Countryside .