West Wirral is included in the King Charles III England Coast Path, which gives the public a legal right to the iconic coastline of the north west and North Wales.
The peninsular section of the route, which includes parts of the Wirral Way and is signposted, stretches 8.8 miles from Birkenhead to the Welsh border connecting existing sections northwards to the ferry across the Mersey and southwards beyond to the Welsh border, from where a link path allows walkers to continue south along the Wales Coast Path.
Initially, walkers on the eastern side of the peninsula are able to take in the spectacle of Liverpool’s historic docks, just across the Mersey. After turning the corner at New Brighton, there will be views out over the Irish Sea before the vista changes to the Dee Estuary near to Burton Point.
The trail passes by the edge of Leasowe Common and North Wirral Coastal Park, where the old Leasowe lighthouse is still a prominent landmark.
It meanders through low sand dunes, at the edge of Red Rocks Nature Reserve before rejoining the promenade at South Parade in West Kirby. Walkers can also experience Wirral Way, which is a major existing walking and cycling route along Wirral’s southwestern coast. South of Station Road, the route rejoins the coast, continuing through Wirral County Park, with its visitor centre and café.
Shortly after leaving Wirral Country Park, the route takes walkers on a pleasant path through Tinker’s Dell, where traditional access to the foreshore has now been repaired and reinstated by Wirral Council, alongside the development of the KCIIIECP .
The final stretch of the KCIIIECP connects walkers to the Welsh Border, near to Burton Point, adjacent to the military firing range. However, it’s possible to continue the journey via a link path, which connects to the Wales Coast Path at Hawarden. Marking both sides of the border are some unique artworks by Mike Johnson.
Wirral Council’s Cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Liz Grey, said: “We are already incredibly proud of our coastline in Wirral. As a peninsula it is naturally one of our defining features and along our coast we can boast we have some of the most diverse and distinctive landmarks across the whole North West.
£”We are honoured that a significant stretch of our three sides of coastline is now officially incorporated into the nationwide walking trail, the King Charles III England Coastal Path and we look forward to welcoming new and returning visitors to the borough to enjoy our scenery, our seaside, our internationally-significant wildlife and nature – and our hospitality.”
Gerry Rusbridge from Natural England said: “We know that spending time in nature benefits both our physical and mental health.
“The new path opens up beautiful new countryside to the public, aiming to make it easier for as many people as possible to experience some of the most stunning and dynamic parts of the North West and Welsh coastlines. The trail will also support the local economy – bringing walkers and visitors to the towns and villages for daytrips, refreshments and places to stay.”
More information about the route can be found at https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/england-coast-path-north-west/trail-information/
