Although Greater Manchester has lots of things to offer, a beach isn’t one of them. Luckily for us there are plenty of seaside destinations nearby which are within easy reach.
Less than 90 minutes’ drive away is the seaside town of West Kirby. Located on the north-western tip of the Wirral Peninsula, it has views across the River Dee over to the Welsh mountains.
Earlier this year West Kirby’s beach was named one of the best in the UK. Although it’s only 300m long, the sandy beach boasts breath-taking views and looks out onto the Hilbre Island archipelago, so it’s easy to see why it made the top ten.
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The islands are two miles’ walk away from West Kirby and can only be accessed at low tide. There’s three in total: Hilbre Island (the largest), Middle Eye and Little Eye.
The islands are truly off the beaten track with no shops or running water and you have to plan your visit according to the tide times, yet once you’re there you’re rewarded with a unique coastal experience. As you wander around, keep an eye out for one of the grey seals which call the area home.
Another unique feature at West Kirby is its Marine Lake. The man-made saltwater lake is 52 acres in size, five foot deep and completely enclosed. This allows it to benefit from coastal winds but with no need to rely on the tide.
There’s a range of activities available at the Marine Lake, including sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and power boating. The lake is surrounded by a pathway which is around 1.5miles long.
Away from the beach, West Kirby is the starting point of the Wirral Way, a 12mile traffic-free route which runs through the Wirral countryside and along the coastal estuary of the River Dee. You can walk or cycle the route, which follows the track of the former Birkenhead railway branch line from Hooton.
For something a bit different to a coastal walk, Thurstaston Common is located just outside of West Kirby and features around 250 acres of parklands, wood and heath. From the top of Thurstaston Hill (nearly 300ft tall) you can see impressive views across the Dee Estuary, while Thor’s Stone, a large red sandstone outcrop, is a magical place to explore.
Due to construction of a flood defence wall the car park on Dee Lane is closed until November 2022. Visitors are advised to use the West Kirby Concourse car park instead.
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