2nd Draft - Visit Wirral

Wirral Peninsula
Your official visitor guide for 2012/2013
www.visitwirral.com
Wirral Timeline
Take the timeline, where history comes alive,
and discover Wirral's vibrant past.
400
410
Romans leave Wirral
613
Arrival of Anglo-Saxons
1150
Hamon de Massey founds
Birkenhead Priory
1100
1175-1350
Brimstage Hall built sometime
between these dates
1330
Charter granted for ferry rights
at Birkenhead
1829
Fort Perch Rock completed, followed
next year by lighthouse
1800
2008
The new Floral Pavilion in New
Brighton was opened
Follow us on
1763
Leasowe Lighthouse, the oldest brick
built lighthouse in Britain, is built
1847
Birkenhead Park opened and became
the inspiration for Central Park, NY
1860
First tramway in Europe
opened in Birkenhead
1973
The Wirral Way was formed along
the route of the disused railway from
Hooton to West Kirby
902
Arrival of Vikings
1900
2000
1888
First sod cut in building Port
Sunlight Village
2006
The Open returns to The Royal
Liverpool Golf Club after an absence
of 39 years
2011
The Queen unveils a commemorative
plaque at the Floral Pavilion; the
flagship project in New Brighton’s
long awaited regeneration
www.visitwirral.com
Contents
Coast & Countryside
3
Birdwatching
11
Walk & Cycle
13
Food & Drink
19
Golf
25
Spas
31
Water Sports
33
Port Sunlight
35
New Brighton
37
Wirral Attractions
39
Suggested Itineraries
41
Events & Festivals
45
On Our Doorstep
47
Accommodation
49
Accommodation Listings
51
Eating Out Listings
53
Finding Your Way
57
Bidston Hill Windmill
www.visitwirral.com
Coast &
Countryside
Seven centuries ago the enterprising Benedictine monks built a ‘ferry cross the Mersey’ and
so opened up the lonely headland for others who would come in the centuries ahead. What
they found was a Wirral wonderland with coast and countryside among the finest in Britain.
The spectacular hills, shores and cliffs, home to boisterous seabirds and a wealth of wild
sights and sounds, are still part of the natural, awesome and free spectacular which greets
every visitor.
3
Royden Park
www.visitwirral.com
T
IME FOR A WALK on the
wildside? Or just drive along quiet
country roads and explore charming
little villages.
The 25 miles of coastline, with some
of the cleanest bathing waters in Europe,
encloses the award-winning Wirral
Country Park, the peninsula’s top
tourist attraction for more than three
decades. Traces of the old railway that
ran between West Kirby and Hooton
still remain. Now called the Wirral
Way, it is a 12-mile trail where birds
nest in the thick hedgerows, badgers and
foxes hunt in the quiet places, and the
birds share the sky with a variety of
butterflies in the summer.
The trail traces the River Dee along
the shores and cliffs, following the scent
and feel of sea breezes, the everchanging lights of the estuary, looking
out to the Welsh shores a few miles
away, and the majestic mountains
beyond.
Wirral Country Park is one of several
in Wirral to receive the coveted Green
Flag Award. Nearby Thurstaston - the
name has Viking connections - is set in
250 acres of parkland, woodland and
heath, a site of Special Scientific Interest
and a Local Nature Reserve. Thor’s
Rock on the hill, a huge block of isolated
sandstone, worn by the weather and the
feet of generations of scramblers, is the
source of a local romantic legend. Some
believe Vikings held religious
ceremonies here.
5
Royden Park alongside Thurstaston
Common is another huge area of
woodland with meadows enriched
with flowers, meres lined with
rhododendrons, a place for quiet and
recreation. The steam train is popular
with children. Arts and crafts fairs are
held during bank holiday weekends.
Hilbre Islands Local Nature
Reserve, a mile off shore at the mouth of
the Dee, is the Wirral Peninsula’s bestknown natural attraction, which was
once important as a link for shipping
between Holyhead and Liverpool. Now
thousands of visitors cross to the islands
for the rich and varied bird life.
The three islands, cut off from the
mainland by the tides, also bring that
sense of isolation, a castaway feel, until
the ebb tide exposes the beach again for
the walk back to West Kirby and much
deserved refreshments.
USEFUL INFO:
• Wirral Country Park and
The Wirral Way
Visitor Centre 0151 648 4371/
0151 648 3884
• Royden Park and
Thurstaston Common
0151 677 7594
• Hilbre Islands Local
Nature Reserve
0151 648 4371
Do not cross to the islands
unless you have checked
crossing times (0151 648 4371)
If you are visiting as a group
please notify Wirral Country
Park Visitor Centre at
Thurstaston.
0151 648 4371/3884
COAST & COUNTRYSIDE
FACTS:
There are three Sites of Special
Scientific Interest and three
Sites of Biological Interest within
Wirral Country Park. The park
is also a gateway to the Dee
Estuary which has multiple
international designations
including Wetland of
International Importance
(RAMSAR).
WHY NOT:
• Walk, cycle or ride the
Wirral Way
• Climb down the cliff steps to
Thurstaston beach for a
leisurely stroll
• Climb Thors Rock
Main Photo: Brimstage
Inset: Wirral Way
6
www.visitwirral.com
7
USEFUL INFO:
• North Wirral Coastal Park
and Leasowe Lighthouse
0151 648 4371
Refreshments and toilets near
lighthouse.
• Vale Park Cafe 0151 638 2666
Another Green Flag winner, North
Wirral Coastal Park is one of the
largest parks on the peninsula, popular
among naturalists for its diversity of
habitats and proximity to three of the
cleanest bathing beaches in Europe.
Rare invertebrates can be found within
the dunes.
Leasowe Lighthouse, built in 1763,
is another Wirral ‘first’; the oldest brick
built lighthouse in Britain.
New Brighton was once the
playground for Liverpool folk, the
seaside just across the Mersey. The days
of whirligigs and kiss-me-quick hats
have vanished into history and now it
has a different future. A £60m
redevelopment bringing a digital
cinema, hotel, casino, ice cream parlour
and the new Floral Pavilion Theatre
and Conference Centre has revitalised
the resort.
Nearby, Vale Park
with its bandstand,
play area, rose
garden and summer
events, is a quiet
haven for all
the family.
WHY NOT:
• Climb to the top of Leasowe
Lighthouse. Open first and
third Sunday of every month
(April-September) and the first
Sunday of every month
(October-March) 12-4pm.
www.leasowelighthouse.co.uk
• Wander around New Brighton
and see the transformation for
yourself. Vale Park is nearby, a
nice walk along the promenade
provides a wonderful view of
the Liverpool Waterfront as
your backdrop.
• See a show at the Floral
Pavilion and stay overnight
at one of the quality hotels,
guesthouses or self catering
options to complete your
experience.
Main Photo: Leasowe Lighthouse
Inset: Vale Park
8
Birkenhead Park is a fine example of
what the Victorians did for us; the
creation of municipal parks and green
spaces for those living in the grime and
smoke of industrial England. This was
the first publicly-funded park in the
world, a place of great trees, lakes and
many listed buildings, now of national
and international importance. It remains
as popular now as when it opened in
1847, a Grade I Historic Park, restored
to its former glory via an £11m facelift.
Bidston Hill, surrounded by
woodland and heath with its windmill
on top, is a well-known landmark, so
familiar it might almost be a symbol
for Wirral itself. Nearby, the Tam
O’Shanter Urban Farm gives children
a chance to play and learn about farm
animals in an urban environment.
Eastham Country Park has been a
popular place to visit for 150 years, since
the site was a Victorian pleasure garden.
It brings together parkland, woodland
and sea, a place for cliff top walks,
picnics, games and views across the
River Mersey.
The best way home is via the winding
lanes to explore the lovely villages,
quaint shops and churches where the
9
spires pop out from the trees. These are
scenes straight from a well-loved picture
book of the best of rural England.
Brimstage has some of the oldest
buildings in Merseyside, a hamlet built
between the 12th and 14th centuries
with a fortified tower at the centre. Why
it was built is a mystery, as is the stone
carving of the cat in the chapel - a model
for Lewis Carroll’s Cheshire Cat
according to local legend. Thornton
Hough has an award-winning village
green and blacksmiths, and an ‘old
England’ rural village atmosphere.
Both are satellite villages to Port
Sunlight, which has more than 800
listed buildings and was created at the
end of the 19th century for Lord
Leverhulme’s factory workers. It is
Britain’s best example of a purpose built
‘workers village.’
Visitors say that Port Sunlight is a
fine legacy for others to enjoy. This too
can be said of the monks who laid the
foundations of Wirral seven centuries
ago and opened up the wilderness, which
now exists as a coast and countryside
treasure; a hidden gem and one of the
best in Britain.
Main Photo: Birkenhead Park, Inset: Eastham Country Park
Date for
your Dia
Septem
ry:
ber
Birkenh
Festival ead Park hosts
of Trans
the
por
enjoyab
le day o t providing an
ut fo
www.bh
eadtran r all ages.
spor t.co
m
Award-winning Coast and
Countryside
WITH 25 MILES of dramatic coastline
and over 1,500 hectares of countryside,
it is little wonder that the Wirral
Peninsula has a large selection of Green
Flag Parks and Marine Conservation
Society ‘Recommended Beaches’.
Green Flag Parks:
• Ashton Park
• Bidston Hill
• Birkenhead Park
(also ‘Heritage Award’)
• Brotherton Park and Dibbinsdale
Local Nature Reserve
• Coronation Gardens
• Eastham Country Park
• Hilbre Islands Local Nature Reserve
• Royden Park
• Thornton Hough Village Green
• Vale Park
• Wirral Country Park
• The Arno, Oxton
Beaches 2011:
• Wallasey
• Moreton
• Meols
For more information www.visitwirral.com
www.goodbeachguide.co.uk
USEFUL INFO:
• Birkenhead Park Visitor
Centre and Cappuccinos in the
Park Café 0151 652 5197
• Bidston Hill and Tam
O’Shanter Urban Farm.
0151 653 9332
• Eastham Country Park Visitor
Centre 0151 327 1007
• Brimstage Hall & Craft Centre
www.brimstagehall.com
• Port Sunlight Museum
0151 644 6466
Refreshments and toilets at all.
COAST & COUNTRYSIDE
FACTS:
• Eastham Country Park sits on
the Mersey Estuary,
designated as both a Special
Protection Area (SPA) and a
Ramsar Site in recognition of
its conservation value,
especially for birds, as well as
the designation as a Site
of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI).
• Brimstage and Thornton
Hough both have links to
Port Sunlight’s founder,
Lord Leverhulme.
WHY NOT:
• See inside the windmill on
the second Saturday of each
month (April-September)
10am-12 noon. Call Tam
O’Shanter Farm to check for
any changes.
• Browse around Brimstage
Craft Centre and then do the
3-mile walk through quiet
farmland to the picturesque
village of Thornton Hough.
www.visitwirral.com/
walkingguides
10
www.visitwirral.com
Birdwatching
The Dee Estuary, at the crossroads of bird migration, is considered
of international importance and one of the ten most important
estuaries in Europe for overwintering wildfowl.
B
IRDWATCHING IN WIRRAL is a
treat at any time of year, whether it
is following the birds’ great spectacular
over the open beaches or enjoying the
birds of the countryside in their natural
habitat. But it is in winter that the
peninsula really comes alive, offering
visitors some of the best birdwatching
opportunities in England.
In summer, hedgerows buzz with the
songs of nesting warblers. Blackcaps rub
shoulders with Willow Warblers and
Common Whitethroats, who are joined
by their scarcer cousin, the Lesser
Whitethroat. Here they will raise their
young before heading south for winter.
Buzzards soar above the heaths and
Barn Owls patrol the meadows seeking
food for their hungry chicks. Keen-eyed
birdwatchers might find three species of
woodpecker in the woodland, where
Nuthatch also breed.
Later in the year, the Dee and
Mersey estuaries are a vital wintering
ground for waders and wildfowl. The
numbers are estimated in hundreds of
thousands, so many that the Dee
Estuary, at the crossroads of bird
migration, is considered of international
importance and one of the ten most
11
important estuaries in Europe for
overwintering wildfowl.
During winter, around ten per cent of
the UK’s population of waders can be
spotted around the estuary, including
Oystercatchers, Pintail, Redshank,
Dunlin and Knot. Huge flocks of the
latter can also be seen over the mudflats
of the Dee and north Wirral coast. This
spectacle can attract one of several
Peregrine Falcons that winter here.
The Dee marshes are an incredible
place for raptors. Short-eared Owls
share roosts with Hen Harriers, while
Merlin dash across the saltmarsh after
Meadow Pipits.
Hilbre Islands Local Nature
Reserve is home to a growing number
of wintering Brent Geese, joined by a
small band of Purple Sandpipers and
Snow Buntings, while on the sea you can
see divers and grebes.
It is no surprise that bird lovers visit
Wirral’s coast and countryside
throughout the year. With its great
variety of visiting birds from Greenland,
Iceland, Scandinavia and the Arctic, the
show is free, spectacular and guaranteed
for as long as there are birds in the skies.
Main Photo: Curlew at sunset, Inset: Woodpecker at Arrowe Park
USEFUL INFO:
• RSPB - Dee Estuary
Burton Mere Wetlands new Visitor Centre
0151 336 7681
• Wirral Council’s Coastal
Rangers 0151 648 4371
For more information on
sightings, events etc visit:
www.deeestuary.co.uk
BIRDWATCHING FACTS:
The Mersey and Dee Estuaries
are part of the East Atlantic
Flyway which is the second most
important bird migratory route
in the world.
WHY NOT:
Book a Liverbird Bird Watching
and Nature Discovery Cruise.
Check www.merseyferries.co.uk
for the dates of these very
popular cruises. Further
expertise is provided by the
RSPB and National Museums
Liverpool.
12
www.visitwirral.com
Walk & Cycle
Time for a walk on the wildside? Or a bike ride along the miles of
stunning coastline? Wirral Peninsula is a paradise for those who crave
fresh air and enjoy a sense of exploration. Use the following pages to
get your ‘fresh air fix’ with step-by-step Walk & Cycle routes.
Wirral Way
West Kirby &
Caldy Hill
WALK
T
Parking: Pay and display car park next
to Morrisons supermarket in Dee Lane
or behind the railway station, in the
Concourse car park.
Buses and Trains: Buses stop outside
West Kirby Railway Station which is the
end of the Wirral line from Liverpool
and Chester.
Start & Finish
1
19
West Kirby
Station
Concourse
Gra
nge
Rd
Morrisons
Entrance to
Wirral Way
South Parade
Marine
Lake
West
Kirby
2
Ashton
Park
3R
e
Ro cto
ad ry
FP28
FP27
5
WIR
RAL
WAY
4
FP51
Sandy Lane
7
8
FP52
FP57
FP51
10
FP55
Cubbins
Green
9
Rd
Caldy
Hill
17
n
lum
Co
Macdona
Drive
18
Beacon for
Mariners
6
Firebeaters
sign
11
FP54
12
Kin
gs D
r.
Fleck Lane
16
BR25
13
BR23A
B5140
15
14
Cal
Caldy dy Road
A5
40
© Crown copyright and database rights 2011. Ordnance Survey 100019803.
Cross sands to
Hilbre Islands
(low tide only)
Or
ry
Ro sdale
ad
HIS IS A VARIED WALK from
West Kirby taking in the Wirral
Way, Ashton Park, spectacular views
from Caldy Hill and the path around
West Kirby Marine Lake.
Start: Outside West Kirby Railway
Station. Allow 2-5 hours.
Distance: Just over 4 miles.
14
WALK
1 If you are starting from
the car park next
11 Pass through a gap
to Morrisons, tur n right
in an old sandstone
and up Dee Lane and
wall and past three seats
West Kirby Railway Sta
by some pine trees.
tion will be in front of
12 Pass through a gap
you. Facing the railway
in another wall,
station, tur n right along
through a gate off the hill
Grange Road. On your rig
and walk straight
ht, just opposite
ahead into Kings Drive
Orrysdale Road you wil
and along the grass
l see the entrance to the
verge.
Wirral Way next to the
Wirral Country Park
13 After about 150 metres
noticeboard. The Wirral
Way follows the line of
at the side of ‘Pine
Ridge’, take the public brid
the old railway route to Hoo
leway locally known
ton. Built in 1866, the
as Fleck Lane on the rig
railway was closed for mos
ht and down the hill. At
t traf fic by the mid
Caldy Road, take care due
1960s and developed in the
to lack of visibility.
early 1970s as Wirral
Turn right and walk alo
Country Park.
ng past the old hospital
on
2 Head down the Wirra
the right, into Caldy Vil
lage. Caldy Village is
l Way and after a few
mentioned in the Domesda
minutes you will see Ash
y Book as ‘Calders’. There
ton Park. The
are two old former farmstea
children’s playground is
d buildings which date
on your right. Fork
from 1683 and 1702. In 183
right by the playground
, then left and go over
2 the village was
bought by a Manchester bus
the green painted bridge
inessman, R. W. Barton.
which crosses the
He
Wirral Way.
rebuilt and renovated most
of the property and
built the Church and Manor.
3 Once over the bridge
Opposite the Church
there are three paths,
after Croft Drive fork left
take the middle one throug
down the bridleway to
h an avenue of young
the road below.
trees. Go out of the park
gates and straight
14 Turn right.
ahead up Rectory Road.
15 Walk along the roa
4 At the cor ner, tur n
d to the entrance to
left onto the public
Wirral Country Park on
footpath over the old sto
your right.
ne stile.
16 Follow the path unt
5 At the top of that pat
il you reach the small
h, locally known as
bridge on the left that tak
Echo Lane, cross the roa
es you over a ditch and
d and go up the steps to
onto Cubbins Green wit
Caldy Hill and the Marine
h delightful views
rs Column. The old
acr
millstone at the base of the
oss The Dee Estuary and
column, a relic from the
West Kirby Marine
Lake. Walk along the clif
old mill which once stood
f edge path past the
here.
bench and picnic area.
6 Turn right and follow
the public footpath.
17 At the end of Cubbin
There are numerous sma
s Green you will come
ll tracks leading off the
to Macdona Drive. Here
main path on Caldy Hill,
you have a choice, at
ignore them and
low tide you can take to
continue straight on. Aft
the beach and head
er 300 metres, pass a
towards West Kirby Sai
set of old gate posts and
ling Club, or head down
then a seat on your left,
Macdona Drive and at San
continue straight on.
dy Lane tur n left to
the promenade.
7 After 50 metres the pat
h goes over a small
rock, take the right fork
18 At the promenade, you
.
have two options.
1. Take the path around
8 Pass the fenced white
the Marine Lake or 2.
house on your right
Walk along South Parade
and continue straight on.
keeping the Marine
Lake on the left. At the
9 Pass the yellow fire hyd
north end of the lake
rant (no.4) on your
return to the bottom of
left, continue straight on,
Dee Lane by Morrisons
then up over the brow
.
If you started by train or
of the hill. There are som
bus head back up Dee
e great views from here.
Lane to West Kirby Rai
10 At the ‘firebeaters
lway Station and the
’ sign, bear left on the
bus stops.
path and after 150 metres
the path leads to the
19 Morrisons do have an
top of a rocky outcrop wh
excellent café open
ere there is a seat.
during their normal ope
ning times.
15
Seacombe Ferry &
New Brighton
CYCLE
S
TARTING AND FINISHING at the
Seacombe ferry terminal, this cycle
ride takes you around the historic
coastline of Seacombe and New Brighton
with views of the famous Liverpool
sky-line and across Liverpool Bay.
Most of the route is off road, however
the latter parts rely on some roads (that
can be busy at times) to get back to
Seacombe Ferry. Less experienced
riders may prefer to avoid these by
sticking to a linear coastal route, either
to New Brighton or to Wallasey golf
course, then turning around and
following the route back again.
King’s Parade
6
7
KIOSK
5
Marine
Lake
Golf Course
North Wirral
Coastal Park
Gun Site
Picnic Area
Leaso
we Ro
ad
Fort Perch
Rock
4
8
r
wate
Bays oad
R
New Brighton
Green
leas R
oad
Green
Lane
Rock
Lighthouse
9
Promenad
e
15
16
Central
Park
ane
Love L
17
18
d
ar
sc d
Li Roa
ane
Mill L
Church Street
19
River
Mersey
Egremont
Tesco
Liscard
14
Cliff Rd
Station
Road
Bidston Moss
Nature Reserve
13
e
Mossden
Road
Breck
Road
54
A5
11
12
s
sland
Mos rive
D
10
M53
Local
Nature
Reserve
3
Site of the old
Ferry to Liverpool
Wallasey
Town Hall
Seacombe
Seacombe
Promenade
Golf Course
2
Seacombe Ferry
Terminal
(Mersey Ferries)
Spaceport
Bus
Station
1
Start & Finish
© Crown copyright and database rights 2011. Ordnance Survey 100019803.
Vale
Park
Wallasey
16
Start: Seacombe Ferry Ter
minal, Victoria Place,
Seacombe
1 From the car park of
the Terminal, head
towards the promenade and
take the cut through
on your left. Continue stra
ight ahead, following
the coastline out towards
New Brighton along the
Promenade. To your righ
t is the River Mersey
with views across to Liverp
ool. You may even get
a glimpse of the famous Me
rsey Ferry that
operates daily between Sea
combe, Woodside and
Liverpool.
2 After approx. 800m
(0.5 miles) you will pass
Wallasey Town Hall on you
r left that is easily
identified by the grand step
s up to its entrance.
Continue straight along
the promenade for
approx. 370m (0.2 miles)
to the mini roundabout
where you should head to
the right and continue
to follow the promenade.
3 The cycle route continu
es along the
promenade towards New
Brighton for approx.
1.7km (1.0 mile) where you
will pass Vale Park.
4 Continue along the
promenade for a further
900m (0.6 miles) where you
will reach New
Brighton and Fort Perch
Rock. There is plenty to
do and see in New Bright
on.
5 For those of you wis
hing to do the shorter
ride, you simply tur n aro
und and head back the
way you came.
17
Distance: 10.8 miles (co
mplete route). 4.7 miles
(Seacombe - New Bright
on - Seacombe).
6 If you wish to continu
e the ride follow the
NCN 56 signs along Marine
Promenade, past the
marine lake and back ont
o the Promenade that
runs parallel to Kings Par
ade. After approx. 970m
(0.61 miles) you will pass
the Pierrot roundabout
on your left. Continue alon
g the marked cycle path
to the end of the Promen
ade (approx. 1500m, 0.93
miles) and follow it off to
the left in order to pick
up the coastal path.
7 Follow the NCN 56
signs along the coastal
path for 1200m (0.7miles)
to the edge of the golf
course and make a left tur
n where the route drops
down onto the sea wall leve
l again. Follow the
route up past the Gun Site
picnic area and onto
Green Lane where you sho
uld, again, tur n left,
bringing you out onto Bay
swater Road.
8 Follow NCN 56 sign
s, tur ning into
Greenleas Road and follow
for about 550m
(0.3 miles) where you wil
l reach the junction
with Leasowe Road.
9 At the traffic lights
go straight across onto
Cross Lane and head stra
ight down onto the
Bidston Moss Nature Res
erve. Follow the tarmac
path which will shortly lead
to a drop down to
the bridge.
10 After crossing the brid
ge. You will see B&Q
ahead of you, follow the pat
h around to the left,
and make a left tur n up on
to an iron-gated bridge
that crosses the railway trac
k.
CYCLE
way track, you have
11 After crossing the rail
n towards Mosslands
dow
,
the option of going left
es, or you can go
tinu
con
te
rou
the
re
School whe
the Bidston Moss
of
side
er
oth
straight on into the
cyc
can le around the
Nature Reserve where you
road’ style tracks
‘off
the
take
or
circular track
that go over the top.
towards Mosslands
12 Having cycled down
you out on Mosslands
g
brin
l
School the route wil
make a right tur n to join
Drive where you should
stbourne Road and take
We
t
pas
it
low
the road. Fol
Road.
ene
ssd
your next left onto Mo
steep climb up to
a
te
qui
is
d
Roa
ene
ssd
13 Mo
re you should
whe
d
Roa
ck
Bre
the junction with
be extremely
can
d
Roa
make a right tur n. Breck
to take extra
er
emb
rem
so
es
tim
busy at certain
es.
care during these tim
continue along and
14 Once on Breck Road,
Road, a little bit of a
f
Clif
o
ont
take the next left
n where you should
climb but it soon drops dow
Road.
tion
Sta
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18
www.visitwirral.com
Food &
Drink
From a Michelin star restaurant and award-winning tearooms in quaint villages, to
outstanding producers and farmshops in the countryside, those involved in growing,
preparing and selling food, demonstrate a pride and passion to produce some of the very
best food and drink in the UK.
19
Lawns at Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa
1
2
3
1. Fraiche - featured in the Which Good Food Guide
Top 30 Restaurants, Fraiche has also been named one
of the top 50 in the Sunday Times Top 100
Restaurants in the UK, gaining a new entry at 46, and
has received the accolade of a BBC Olive Magazine
Alternative Restaurant Award.
2. Church Farm Organics - Winner of the 'Best Fruit
or Vegetable' for its asparagus at the North West Fine
Food Awards.
3. Gorge'Us Coffee Shop - Winner of Best Cake in
the Fine Foods North West Awards (2010) for its
delicious Victoria Sponge. Also, winner of the Fine
Food NW Gold Heart Award (2011) for its delectable
Raspberry & Almond Tart.
4. Claremont Farm Kitchen - Hosts many awardwinning chefs including Claire Lara, winner of
Masterchef: The Professionals 2010.
4
USEFUL INFO:
Contact information for all the
venues mentioned in this section,
plus many more, can be found on
pages 53 - 56.
T
HE AMOUNT OF QUALITY
restaurants in Wirral is nothing
short of spectacular.
With Michelin starred Restaurant
Fraiche in Oxton Village, the nationally
celebrated Da Piero in Irby, Lawns at
Thornton Hall Hotel, Peninsula Dining
Room in New Brighton, and Wirral
Chef of the Year winner, Dominic Popsil
at Gem, the standard of Wirral’s
restaurants cannot be doubted. Add to
this illustrious mix Claire Lara,
Professional Masterchef 2010, at Royal
Hilbre and it is easy to see why Wirral
is becoming seen more and more as a
‘foodie’ destination.
If you’re looking for something a
little more informal, Wirral can offer a
wide range of casual dining options.
Whether it is breakfast to set you up
for the day or a light meal while meeting
friends, you will find what you’re
looking for.
The Wro Lounge and Wro Bar,
twice winner of ‘Best Bar in Merseyside’,
are situated opposite each other in the
pretty seaside town of West Kirby. Here
you will find beautifully designed
surroundings and the perfect place for a
breakfast feast, a lunch time stop, dinner
in the evening
or just drinks
Date for
with an al
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FOOD AND DRINK FACTS:
Which Good Food Guide 2011
• Michelin-star restaurant,
Fraiche in Oxton, was declared
as having the best wine list of
any UK restaurant.
• Italian restaurant, Da Piero in
Irby, was recognised for the
2nd year on the run.
• Peninsula Dining Room in
New Brighton was named as
‘Reader’s Favourite’.
Other Awards:
• Lawns at Thornton Hall Hotel
has recently been awarded it’s
3rd AA Food Rosette.
WHY NOT:
• If dining al fresco, and
wonderful views are what you
have in mind, take a trip out to
Sheldrakes in Lower Heswall.
You will not be disappointed.
www.sheldrakesrestaurant.co.uk
• Sample Peerless real ales on
a regular tour of the brewery
with a homemade hotpot
thrown in for good measure
(last Friday and Saturday of
the month).
www.peerlessbrewing.co.uk
• Fancy a traditional shave along
with your real ale pint? Head
down to Gallagher’s Bar and
Barbers which supplies both
services in a traditional venue
near Woodside terminal.
www.gallagherspuband
barbers.com
22
www.visitwirral.com
The Hillbark Grill provides an
elegant setting in the magnificent Grade
II listed Hillbark Hotel and offers a
casual yet memorable dining experience.
Alternatively, try the family friendly,
(Marco Pierre White) Frankie’s at the
Holiday Inn Express, Hoylake. Finish off
an afternoon at the award-winning Lady
Lever Art Gallery in the picturesque
Port Sunlight Village with a trip to the
Lady Lever Café and choose from a
range of sandwiches, hot dishes and
tempting cakes.
Don’t forget that if it is liquid
refreshment you’re after, you will find a
range of bars, from chic surroundings
for pre-dinner drinks, relaxing café-bars,
to live music and entertainment. For a
cocktail with personal bartending flare
head to Vanilla Lounge or Glassfire,
set in the seaside town of Hoylake.
However, if you’re out for the day and
have built up an appetite enjoying
Wirral’s lovely coast and countryside,
then afternoon tea may be just the thing
to see you through to evening and
Wirral is the ideal place for delicious
treats. The featured tea rooms and cafés
all serve great home cooked light meals,
sumptuous desserts and cakes; perfect
for indulging yourself. Relax and enjoy
great food in a great location; whether it
be a quiet village, beautiful gardens or
beside the sea.
Treat yourself to the award-winning
light and fluffy Victoria Sponge at
Gorge’Us Coffee Shop in Bebington, or
23
at sister shop More Gorge’Us in Spital,
or perhaps head to Roses Tea Rooms
in the picturesque Ness Gardens; winner
of the 2011 Taste of Cheshire award
amongst others. Roses’ lavender scones
with ginger and gooseberry jam are
a must.
If afternoon tea isn’t your thing,
perhaps happening upon a local pub
serving fantastic home-cooked meals
and locally brewed beer could prove to
be more enticing.
Wirral is a beautiful place to visit;
there are miles of inviting walks
and cycle routes to follow along the
coast and through the countryside.
Complementing the spectacular scenery
are great gastro pubs with a friendly
welcome, warm atmosphere and
fantastic food and drink. Whether you
are looking for a quick snack whilst on a
walk, an informal meal with friends or a
welcoming pub to take the kids - Wirral
has somewhere to suit your needs.
The Anchor Inn, in pretty Irby
village, offers tasty, top-notch food and a
range of real ales in cosy, stylish
surroundings.
The Wheatsheaf Inn, set in the
quiet rural village of Raby, offers cosy
comfort. It has the distinction of being
Wirral’s oldest pub, is home to an
award-winning chef, and is rightly proud
of its delicious, hearty food and fine ales.
It is the quality of the fresh local
produce, used so much in Wirral’s
eateries, that has contributed greatly
Main Photo: The Wheatsheaf Inn, Inset (left to right): Sheldrake’s, Claremont Farm, Peninsula Dining Room
to its current high standing in foodie
circles. Wirral’s geography and micro
climate means that the fresh food
produced is of the highest possible
quality, which is reflected in the growing
number of awards that it is accumulating.
The region is especially known for
the excellent asparagus and watercress
grown here. Local farmers and
producers have taken their passion and
commitment for fantastic fresh food, and
created innovative ways for everyone to
experience delicious produce.
Enjoy an afternoon out at Church
Farm Organics in Thurstaston with all
the family (winner of Wirral’s ‘Family
Friendly Business’ tourism award for
two years running), or spend the day
learning how to cook at Claremont
Farm Kitchen with The Vegi-Table or
other courses run by top, local chefs.
Claremont Farm also plays host to the
Wirral Food and Drink Festival, which
draws thousands of visitors every year
over the August Bank Holiday.
Wirral’s markets sell a wide range of
quality produce; both locals and visitors
enjoy Birkenhead Market and the
Wirral Farmers’ Market time and time
again. Also boosting the drinks industry
in Wirral are micro-breweries such as
Brimstage Brewery and Peerless
Brewery who produce a range of
popular beers sold throughout the
region. Come soon to discover, or indeed
rediscover, Wirral’s wonderful Food and
Drink offer. You won’t be disappointed.
24
www.visitwirral.com
Golf
Wirral Peninsula and Golf fit as easily as links and championships. The world famous
seaside golf course, Royal Liverpool in Hoylake, is one of fourteen impressive courses in the
peninsula. The borough has the honour of hosting the RICOH Women’s British Open for
the very first time and, as the only women's Major outside the USA, it provides an invaluable
opportunity to showcase the very best of Wirral Golf to the international media. With Caldy
Golf Club having the pleasure of hosting the Final Qualifying Stage of the competition;
The Open Championship making a welcome return to Royal Liverpool in 2014; Wallasey
Golf Club being the home of the Stableford system, and our very own Wirral Golf Classic Wirral is the perfect place for an affordable, quality golf break.
4
25
Wallasey Golf Club
www.visitwirral.com
27
T
HE REGION, with The Open
Championship course of Royal
Liverpool at its heart, includes golf
courses of such status, challenge and
fame it has become known not only
around the country, but internationally
as well.
The inland courses in Wirral provide
memorable days out. Bromborough,
for example, is such a fine golf challenge
it was recently chosen to host the
Amateur Championship. Brackenwood
and Arrowe Park, like other municipals,
are places where so many hit their first
golf balls. They are always remembered
with great affection by those who move
elsewhere and graduate in the game.
But the great challenge is to be found
on the Wirral coast, including Caldy,
Heswall and Wallasey, which
collectively host the international golf
championship, the Wirral Golf Classic,
an event for hundreds of top amateurs.
Royal Liverpool hosts the final.
Wallasey is famous as the home of
Stableford. Here Frank Barney Gorton
Stableford, ex-Boer War surgeon, aware
of the frustrations of high handicap
players after a disastrous time in a medal
competition, devised the points system
of scoring. Few have left such a valuable
legacy. As Henry Longhurst, the
distinguished golf writer and historian,
put it: “I doubt whether any single man
did more to increase the pleasure of the
more humble club golfer.”
Main Photo: The Stableford Trophy,
Inset: Heswall Golf Club
USEFUL INFO:
• Bidston
0151 638 3412
• Bromborough
0151 334 2155
• Caldy
0151 625 5660
• Eastham Lodge
0151 327 3003
• Heswall
0151 342 2193
• Leasowe
0151 677 5852
• Prenton
0151 609 3426
• Royal Liverpool
0151 632 3101
• Wallasey
0151 691 1024
• Wirral Ladies
0151 652 1255
MUNICIPAL GOLF
COURSES:
• Arrowe Park 0151 677 1527
• Brackenwood 0151 608 3093
• Hoylake 0151 632 2956
• Warren 0151 639 5730
Date
The Wo s for your Dia
men’s B
ritish Op r y:
en in 20
The Bo
12
ys
Champio Amateur
nship in
and the
2013
eagerly
awaited
re
T he O p
en in 20 turn of
14.
28
www.visitwirral.com
Enjoy one of the greatest links
courses in the north and perhaps pause a
moment to remember ‘Stablie’ as he was
affectionately known. The second hole, a
daunting par-four into the wind,
particularly for the high handicap player,
has a plaque marking the hole where
‘Stablie’ thought of the system. Each
year the Frank Stableford Open
Amateur Memorial Trophy, a 36-hole
scratch tournament, is played in his
memory.
29
Heswall, with its splendid views
across the River Dee, has also hosted
many county championships, county
matches and other top events. Caldy too,
with its atmosphere of cliffs, links and
parkland has also been the scene of
many major events and a qualifying
course for the Women’s Open in 2012.
Royal Liverpool is one of the finest
Open venues in England and those who
walk these fairways will follow in the
steps of some of the greatest names in
golf, experience a sense of golf ’s
colourful history and perhaps think of
the cheering crowds and great golf
deeds. John Ball (1862-1940), winner of
the Amateur eight times was a local boy
and Harold Hilton (1869-1942) from
neighbouring West Kirby won four
times. In 1902, practicing for The Open,
Alec ‘Sandy’ Herd was invited to try out
a new golf ball. He liked it and used it in
the Championship. Thus, the rubbercored ball came in and the ‘gutty’ went
to the golf museum.
At Hoylake in 1930, the American
Bobby Jones played The Open in a year
Main Photo: Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Inset: Wallasey Golf Club, Right: Caldy Golf Club
of a remarkable double surely never to
be repeated, winning The Open and the
Amateur on both sides of the Atlantic.
Hoylake, remodelled to present a
major challenge to the greatest golfers
in the world in the 21st century, is
indeed a huge golf test, particularly
when the wind blows. “Hoylake, blown
upon by mighty winds, breeder of
mighty champions” as the distinguished
golf writer Bernard Darwin wrote. But
the club amateur will also feel at home.
Hoylake hosted the first Amateur in
1885 and the first ‘Home International’
between England and Scotland in 1902.
In 1921, the first international between
Great Britain and the United States, the
challenge now known as the Walker
Cup, was held here.
At Hoylake, and indeed along the
Wirral coast, the golf experience is
unforgettable. It presents a superb
test of golf with memorable links,
challenging shore, sea and winds, and
majestic sunsets. When the skies darken,
the welcoming lights of the clubhouse
beckon, at the end of the day.
GOLF FACTS:
• The Coastal courses of the
Wirral Peninsula are at the
southern end of probably the
finest stretch of golf territory
in England.
• Under the guidance of course
architect Donald Steel, the
course at Royal Liverpool has
been lengthened and tweaked
to present a magnificent, 21st
century challenge to the new
breed of power player. Its
greens are traditionally in
outstanding condition which
led to the oft-quoted remark:
‘The man who cannot putt at
Hoylake cannot putt.’
• Founded in 1891, Wallasey has
been described as ‘The
Diamond in the Dunes’, not
only for its superb location
overlooking the Irish Sea, but
also for a challenging course
with a special place in golf
history.
WHY NOT:
Come and play the Wirral Golf
Classic - a 72 hole Stableford
competition for amateur golfers,
played on some of Wirral’s best
golf courses.
www.wirralgolfclassic.co.uk
30
www.visitwirral.com
Spas
Immerse yourself in the pleasures of the spa, easing away the stresses
of everyday life, with a luxurious choice of treatments and a chance
to relax.
G
REAT BREAKS should also
include time for relaxation, and
maybe even a taste of self-indulgent
luxury in a busy world. A visit to one of
Wirral’s top spas, within its best hotels,
will provide the ultimate experience.
The award-winning spa at Thornton
Hall Hotel offers a relaxing and
memorable break for visitors, in stylish
surroundings. Immerse yourself in the
pleasures of the spa, easing away the
stresses of everyday life, with a
luxurious choice of treatments. For
a more intense treatment, experience
the Lodge Clinical Spa. A few laps of the
stunning, heated indoor pool presents
the perfect way to conclude your treat.
The Royal Hilbre Boutique Hotel &
Spa, opening in Spring 2012, has an
indoor pool area with steam and sauna
rooms and a hamman just a moment
away. The Spa is situated in its own
dedicated wing of the hotel and here
you can indulge yourself and feel all
your stresses melt away with the best
treatments and finest products. The
Hoylake hotel is perfectly placed for
the sports enthusiast too.
31
Hillbark Hotel, in the lush
surroundings of Royden Park, offers a
special experience in a rural setting.
Its Solia Spa offers holistic and clinical
treatments in a genuine oasis of calm
and relaxation within an award-winning
boutique hotel.
At the heart of Port Sunlight,
Indulgence at The Leverhulme Hotel,
is an Art Deco inspired development due
to open in late 2012. It will offer a mix of
treatments and a chance to relax in the
heated indoor pool, hot tubs, whirlpool
spas, saunas and steam room, to create a
very special experience.
Main Photo: Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa, Inset: Indulgence at The Leverhulme Hotel
USEFUL INFO:
• Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa
0151 336 3938
• Royal Hilbre Boutique Hotel
& Spa 07581 263837
• Hillbark Hotel 0151 625 2400
• Leverhulme Hotel & Spa
0151 644 6655
SPA FACTS:
• Thornton Hall has a
prestigious Good Spa Award
for providing the Finest
Fabulush Facial in the UK.
Products are mainly ESPA.
• Royal Hilbre uses the
environmentally friendly
products of Germaine de
Capuccini.
• Sister hotels Hillbark and
Leverhulme products come
from top ranges Terrake,
Keraskin and Skin Ceuticals.
WHY NOT:
• Thornton Hall Hotel - Wander
around picturesque Thornton
Hough, an ‘old England’ rural
village.
• Royal Hilbre Boutique Hotel &
Spa - Take a short walk down
to Hoylake promenade and
along to the classic seaside
town of West Kirby with its
marine lake and great views
over to Hilbre Islands.
• Hillbark Hotel - Explore
Royden Park, wander around
its walled garden and climb up
to Thurstaston Common for
yet more stunning views.
• Leverhulme Hotel - Situated in
Port Sunlight Village, the Art
Gallery and Museum are
‘must do’s’.
32
www.visitwirral.com
Water Sports
The Wirral Peninsula is gaining a growing reputation as one of the
best places in the North West for a wide range of coastal activities.
S
URROUNDED BY rivers and sea,
with some of the cleanest beaches in
Western Europe and easy-to-reach
shores, the Wirral Peninsula is gaining a
growing reputation as one of the best
places in the North West for a wide
range of coastal activities.
Water sports are high on the list. In
addition, Wirral hosted the world kite
buggy endurance record on the
Hoylake sands, which are also rated as
one of the best places in the country for
sand yachting and kite buggying. The
European Sand Yachting
Championships were held here in 2011
and provided quite a spectacle.
The beaches of West Kirby and
Wallasey are popular with wind and kite
surfers and, with offshore winds beating
against the incoming waves, make
Leasowe Bay increasingly popular
with surfers.
Wirral’s six sailing clubs host race
meetings and regattas, including the
British Open Team Racing Trophy
event at West Kirby’s Marine Lake,
one of the best of its kind in the
North West; offering flat water, high
winds, and providing a safe, salt-water
33
lake for both beginners and the more
experienced sailors. The lake is also the
base for the Wirral Sailing School,
which provides lessons in sailing,
windsurfing and kayaking.
The more sheltered Mersey Estuary
provides opportunities for inland sailing
and boasts the second oldest sailing club
in the country, the Royal Mersey Yacht
Club. Just around the coast, personal
watercraft - jet skis - launch from the
Mersey Narrows at New Brighton
where a second marine lake has been
restored to its former glory as part of
the Marine Point project, which will also
boast a new lakeside pontoon.
The area has hosted international
powerboat races which are sure to
return to Wirral as it develops its
reputation as the water sports capital
of the North West.
Date for
yo
ur Diary
May
:
Come a
nd see
British O the annual
pen Tea
Racing
m
Trophy e
vent
www.wk
sc.net
USEFUL INFO:
• Wirral Sailing Centre
0151 625 2510
• Wirral Sand Yachting Club
07988 413662
www.wsyc.org.uk
• Dee Sailing Club
0151 648 2300
• Hoylake Sailing Club
0151 632 2616
• Royal Mersey Yacht Club
0151 645 3204
• Wallasey Yacht Club
0151 639 1427
• West Cheshire Sailing Club
0151 639 6473
• West Kirby Sailing Club
0151 625 5579
For more info on water sports
such as windsurfing, surfing,
sand yachting, land boarding and
kite surfing, call Wirral Council’s
Coastal Rangers on
0151 648 4371
WHY NOT:
• Contact the West Kirby
Sailing Centre about taking a
one or two hour boat trip
around Hilbre Islands and
along the Dee Estuary,
providing the perfect
opportunity to view wildlife
such as the local seal colony 0151 625 3292
• Take a diving or fishing trip on
a 33ft catamaran with
Discovery Charters to explore
more of what the waters
around Wirral can offer 07884 238262
Main Photo: Sailing at West Kirby
Inset: Sand Yatching at Hoylake
34
www.visitwirral.com
Port Sunlight
A leisurely walk around the picture postcard village reveals a variety
of buildings which add up to some of the most exciting village
architecture of 19th century England.
P
ORT SUNLIGHT is more than a
Wirral village. It is an enchanting,
delightful day out and a unique cultural
experience.
A leisurely walk around the picture
postcard village reveals a variety of
buildings which add up to some of the
most exciting village architecture of
19th century England. Each block of
houses is the result of the hard work of
a different architect, with over 30 used
in total.
The village was founded on the four
principles of industry, art, education and
charity. It was the vision and creation of
‘Soap King’, William Hesketh Lever, to
provide a special place for workers at his
local soap factory.
Not surprisingly for a place of such
beauty and charm, it has remained
virtually unchanged since that time with
more than 800 Grade II listed buildings
set in superb gardens.
The Port Sunlight Museum and
Garden Village provides a fascinating
35
film show, life size models and village
memorabilia - a special insight into what
it was like to live and work at Port
Sunlight during the late 1800s and early
1900s. Whilst here, pop upstairs to
savour the hand-baked cakes in ‘Tea at
Port Sunlight Museum’.
Every visit must include the Lady
Lever Art Gallery, world famous for its
collections of furniture, ceramics and
great works of art, including preRaphaelite masterpieces by Millais,
Rossetti and Burne-Jones and dramatic
landscapes by Turner and Constable.
The Lady Lever also boasts a popular
café, a stylish gift shop from which you
can purchase that special souvenir of
your visit or gifts and new activity
rooms which provide a space where
children can dress up, create a puppet
show…and just generally be children.
In a busy world it is a place to be
thankful for - a haven of tranquility, not
only for the workers of years gone by,
but for us all in years to come.
Main Photo: By ‘The Dell’, Inset: Lady Lever Art Gallery
USEFUL INFO:
• Port Sunlight Museum and
Garden Village 0151 644 6466
• Lady Lever Art Gallery
0151 478 4136
PORT SUNLIGHT FACTS:
Port Sunlight’s ‘Viniola’ soap was
used in all the first class cabins
and public rooms on the doomed
Titanic and is still sold in the
museum shop today.
WHY NOT:
• Savour a performance at The
Gladstone Theatre, originally
built in 1891 as the dining and
recreation hall for male
workers at the Lever Brothers
Soap Factory. For details of
their programme, contact
0151 643 8757 or visit
www.gladstonetheatre.org.uk
• Take part in a guided, walking
tour of the village in season
through Port Sunlight
Museum or collect the village
trail from the museum and do
your own, self-guided trail.
www.portsunlightvillage.com
Date for
yo
ur Diary
July
:
Por t Su
nlig
www.po ht Village Festi
r tsunligh
v
tvillage.c al
om
36
www.visitwirral.com
New
Brighton
The great centrepiece is Marine Point, a £60 million development
comprising a casino, hotel and digital cinema as well as retail and
leisure outlets.
T
HE DAYS WHEN New Brighton
was packed with fun seekers, a
bustling place of kiss-me-quick hats, fish
and chips and candy-floss, a famous
tower even bigger than Blackpool’s and
Europe’s biggest open air swimming
pool, are long gone. But the old and
well-loved playground of Merseyside is
indeed facing a bright future.
The great centrepiece is Marine
Point, a £60 million development
comprising a casino, hotel, digital
cinema - The Light, as well as retail
and leisure outlets. The popular and
historic Floral Pavilion Theatre is
now a stunning, dual-use conference
and theatre venue having undergone
a £12 million redevelopment.
Those who recall the old New
Brighton will still find familiar sights.
Fort Perch Rock was built as a coastal
defence battery to protect the Port of
Liverpool during the Napoleonic period.
It is open throughout the year and
features an Aviation and Archaeology
Museum and a permanent exhibition
about the German bomber raids over
Merseyside during World War II.
37
Alongside is New Brighton
Lighthouse, originally the Perch Rock
Lighthouse, no longer in use, its
functions overtaken by modern
navigational technology. The Lighthouse
is family maintained, the result of
interest and concern that such treasures
from past times must be preserved and
used. Both Rock and Lighthouse are
famous, well loved symbols on the New
Brighton shore.
So, there are the reminders of past
times, but the modern fun-times are
back. New Brighton offers a huge range
of attractions including the Riverside
Bowl and Laser Quest, crazy golf in
the Victoria Gardens and much more.
The Wilkie Leisure Group’s New
Palace and Adventureland provides a
great day out for the family, with hot
and cold food, and a great range of
entertainment (outdoors and indoors)
so the rain will never ruin your day.
Visitors can use an interactive map to
visit the different parts of the centre.
New Brighton is the quintessential
seaside town, providing just the right
mixture of old and new to suit all ages
and tastes.
Main Photo: New Brighton Marine Lake, Inset: Lighthouse
USEFUL INFO:
• The Light Cinema
0151 214 1370
• Floral Pavilion Theatre
0151 666 0000
• Fort Perch Rock
0797 628 2120
• Riverside Bowl and
Laser Quest 0151 639 1238
• New Palace and Adventureland
0151 639 6041
• New Brighton Heritage &
Information Centre
0151 639 3555
NEW BRIGHTON FACTS:
• Stewart Granger, Susan
Hayward and Mae West were
among the many Hollywood
film stars to visit New
Brighton.
• The Tower Ballroom was one
of the largest and most ornate
ballrooms in the world, and
was one of ‘The Beatles’
favourite venues, performing
there an amazing 27 times.
38
www.visitwirral.com
Wirral
Attractions
Located at Seacombe ferry terminal is Spaceport, a fascinating journey
through space and a great attraction for children.
T
HE ‘FERRY CROSS THE
MERSEY’ is famous in song and in
reality too. A 50-minute ferry cruise is a
magical way to see the world-famous
waterfront and skyline. Whilst on board,
a commentary tells the history of the
ferry and river. Located at Seacombe
ferry terminal is Spaceport, a
fascinating journey through space and a
great attraction for children.
Nearby, at Woodside ferry terminal, is
the U-boat Story. Recovered from the
seabed in 1993, this World War II
German submarine is now an exhibition
showing the inside of the U-boat, the life
of the sailor and accounts of their
recollections. A conning tower has been
newly added recreating a key feature
which had been lost.
From Woodside, you can continue
your journey into the past by taking a
trip on a tram dating from as early as
1901, up to the Wirral Transport
Museum. Housed within is one of the
largest and most varied collections of
transport in the North West.
Enjoy match day at Tranmere
Rovers FC, Wirral’s very own
professional football team, established
39
Main Photo: Spaceport
in 1912, or treat yourself to some retail
therapy in the nearby Grange and
Pyramids Shopping Centre.
The Williamson Art Gallery and
Museum has one of the finest art
collections in the North West, featuring
paintings, porcelain and an emphasis on
Cammell Laird shipbuilders.
Founded in 1190 and home of the
Benedictine monks, Birkenhead Priory
is the oldest building on Merseyside and
a capsule of much of the town’s history.
The Wilfred Owen Story and Gallery
is the first designated cultural memorial
to the poet anywhere in the North West
and well worth a visit.
For fans of the outdoors, Ness
Gardens is a must. The collection of
trees, flowers and shrubs is a garden
lover’s delight. Extend the ‘Ness’
experience by taking afternoon tea in
the award-winning Roses Tearooms.
Or choose a picnic for the garden.
For family enjoyment and a unique
shopping experience, visit Brimstage
Hall Courtyard where amongst the
many shops you will find Voirrey
Crafts, a specialised independent needlework and craft centre.
USEFUL INFO:
• Mersey Ferries/U-boat Story
0151 330 1000
• Spaceport 0151 330 1566
• Tranmere Rovers FC
www.tranmererovers.co.uk
• Williamson Art Gallery
0151 652 4177
• Wirral Tramway and Wirral
Transport Museum
Call for operating/opening
hours 0151 647 2128
• Wirral Archives Services
0151 606 2929
• The Wilfred Owen Story
and Gallery 07539 371925
• Birkenhead Priory
0151 652 4177
• Ness Gardens 0151 353 0123
• Voirrey Crafts 0151 342 3514
ATTRACTIONS FACTS:
Award winning - The U-boat
Story won the Liverpool City
Region, best ’Small Visitor
Attraction’ 2011.
WHY NOT:
• Take a trip on the Manchester
Ship Canal Cruise with Mersey
Ferries. The cruise sails from
both Wirral ferry terminals or
pick it up in Manchester and
do the stopover option of
visiting the U-boat Story
0151 330 1444.
• Visit many of these attractions
on Birkenhead’s Heritage Tour,
mostly situated around
Woodside, apart from The
Wilfred Owen Story, which is
just the other side of Hamilton
Square in Argyle Street.
www.visitwirral.com/
wonderfulbirkenhead
40
www.visitwirral.com
Suggested
Itineraries
Get a flavour of this beautiful peninsula by joining us on these three,
specially prepared itineraries. Taking in two of Britain’s most famous
rivers, the Dee and the Mersey, and uncovering some of the less well
known, rural highlights away from the coast, there will be much to
delight and savour along the way. These itineraries will take you on a
true journey of discovery.
USEFUL INFO:
• West Kirby Sailing School
(Marine Lake) 0151 625 3292
• Hilbre Islands/
Wirral Country Park
0151 648 4371 / 3884
• Royden Park &
Thurstaston Common
0151 677 7594
Itinerary 1
The West Coast (River Dee)
The pretty seaside town of West Kirby
with its wide, sandy beaches, huge
marine lake, making the town a water
sports mecca, and the beautiful Hilbre
Islands, is a magnet for visitors, at any
time of year. Walk along the promenade
and stop for a while to enjoy the
wonderful views over to Wales or watch
some of the water sports, all the while
breathing in the salty sea breezes. If you
are here when there is a low tide, take a
walk out to Hilbre Islands where, if you
are lucky, you may even spot seals. It is a
lovely location and one where you are
certain to feel that you are truly
communing with nature.
There are plenty of places in the town
to be ’fed and watered’ and some eclectic
shopping if this is more to your taste.
West Kirby also marks the start of the
12 mile Wirral Way, the ‘backbone’ of
Wirral Country Park. This was the old
Hooton to West Kirby railway line that
closed in 1963 and today, is a very
popular multi-use leisure facility. The
path provides some wonderful views
over the Dee Estuary to Wales. Wirral
Country Park was the first designated
country park in Britain and offers a
visitor centre, stunning cliffs, with steps
leading down to Thurstaston beach, and
more hidden areas such as The
Dungeon, a sandstone gorge with
woodland. The country park offers a
fantastic day out and the opportunity to
cycle, walk or picnic in some stunning
countryside with exceptional views.
If you still have some spare time,
nearby Royden Park and Thurstaston
Common, with the fantastic, elevated
views over to Wales and the ancient
Thors Rock, are well worth a visit.
Main Photo: Thurstaston Common, Above: West Kirby Marine Lake, Inset: Wirral Country Park
42
www.visitwirral.com
Itinerary 2
The Leverhulme Connection
Starting off in Port Sunlight Village,
you will experience something that is a
true delight. Built at the end of the 19th
century, this garden village was
originally created as a home for workers
at the nearby Lever factory and is one of
Britain’s most unique model villages.
Port Sunlight is the work of over 30
architects, and the variety of design and
the beauty of the buildings are unique in
the area. Wander around the village and
see for yourself.
Pay a visit to the Museum to see a
short film about the village and Lord
Leverhulme, its founder. At the museum
pick up a self-guided trail of the village,
take refreshments in the tearoom
upstairs or pick up a bar of Sunlight
Soap in the gift shop as a souvenir.
Just a few moments away is the Lady
Lever Art Gallery. Opened in 1922, and
founded by the first Lord Leverhulme,
the Lady Lever has a magnificent
collection of paintings, British sculpture,
Wedgwood, Chinese porcelain and 18th
century furniture. The collections are
among the best in the country.
A short drive away is Thornton
Hough, another Leverhulme village, on
USEFUL INFO:
• Port Sunlight Museum
0151 644 6466
• Lady Lever Art Gallery
0151 478 4136 / 4178
• Brimstage Hall &
Craft Courtyard
0151 348 4141
which he started work in 1889. Set in
lush pastures and fine woodland,
Thornton Hough is a picture perfect
example of village life. This historical
part of Wirral is full of beauty and
charm, where you can take in country
walks, discover the cottages and fine
buildings in the village itself, or simply
relax in a tea shop or at the village pub.
The village green is the hub of village
life, and is surrounded by two churches,
the village blacksmith and a mixture of
redbrick and half timbered mock Tudor
houses, a setting which typifies the
archetypal ‘old England’ rural village
atmosphere.
Within just a few minutes drive, and
down country lanes surrounded by
fields, is the third Leverhulme family
village of Brimstage. Visit Brimstage
Hall and Craft Courtyard where you’ll
encounter a variety of interesting shops
to find that special purchase as well as
several places to take refreshments. In
neighbouring Gregory’s Farm there is
an annual Maize Maze, July to
September, which is very popular and
provides fun for all the family, whatever
your age.
USEFUL INFO:
• Mersey Ferries &
U-boat Story
0151 330 1000
• Birkenhead Priory
0151 652 4177
• Birkenhead Park
0151 652 5197
• Eastham Country Park
0151 327 1007
Itinerary 3
The East Coast (River Mersey)
This journey starts from Woodside, one
of the two terminals in Wirral from
where you can take a trip on the famous
Mersey Ferry. Here you will find the
U-boat Story, a World War II
submarine which has been crosssectioned and has its story told through
a highly interactive and exciting
exhibition. Here you’ll find a quality
café with outdoor terrrace and
stunning views.
Birkenhead offers a range of
attractions that make up the popular
Birkenhead Heritage Trail, the nearest
to Woodside being Hamilton Square
which has the distinction of being
second only to Trafalgar Square in
London for having the most Grade 1
listed buildings in one place in England
outside of London and is definitely
worth a stop. Birkenhead Priory is
close by and another key site. Built in
1150, it is the oldest standing building
on Merseyside and encapsulates so much
of the town’s history within a small,
enclosed site. Nearby, Birkenhead Park
is a slight detour but worth the effort,
Left: Thornton Hough, Above: Birkenhead Priory
especially following the £11m
restoration which has returned the park
to its former glory.
Continuing on down the A41
eventually leads to the historic Eastham
Village and Eastham Country Park.
The village is a conservation area
boasting Grade II listed buildings,
including St Mary’s, built in 1152AD.
Meandering though the twists and turns
of this medieval village is a delight and
full of interest. Nearby, Eastham
Country Park is also steeped in history
as well as being an area of great natural
beauty. With large areas of woodland,
accessible riverside cliffs, affording
superb views across the Mersey and
occasional glimpses of the Manchester
Ship Canal Cruise, and a visitor centre, a
stop here will not disappoint. Remnants
of its past such as the bear pit, boating
lake and fountains also makes the park of
historic interest, as does Eastham Ferry
pub, built in 1846, and providing the
perfect opportunity for refreshments.
Eastham Country Park is a treasure just
waiting to be explored.
44
www.visitwirral.com
Events &
Festivals
The International Guitar Festival of Great Britain is an event firmly
pencilled in the diaries of guitar lovers, with concerts taking place at
various venues across Wirral.
W
IRRAL’S SUMMER events
programme will get off to a
high-flying start with the arrival of
the Wirral Kite Festival. The festival,
located at New Brighton, is a great
opportunity to see the art performed
by experts from around the world.
Admission and parking is free.
Wirral Historic Vehicle Rally
brings together a collection of more than
100 vintage and classic cars, a trip down
memory lane for car enthusiasts. The
cavalcade of cars finish their journey
through Wirral at Port Sunlight
Village Festival. The free family
extravaganza, which welcomes more
than 15,000 people at the height of the
summer, has live entertainment,
children's performers, stalls, a
fairground and lots more.
The Wirral Food and Drink
Festival is a key highlight of the year,
a celebration of home-grown produce.
The festival brings together the best
producers in the region and also
includes specialist cookery
demonstrations by celebrity TV chefs
and lots of other entertainment
to enjoy.
45
Stalls, fairground and family
entertainment are features of the
Hoylake RNLI Open Day with the Red
Arrows often providing the main
attraction. Admission is free.
The Wirral Golf Classic sees
amateurs compete on some of the best
links courses in the region, with the
final staged at the stunning Open course
of Royal Liverpool.
Taking place during November, The
International Guitar Festival of Great
Britain is an event firmly pencilled in
the diaries of guitar lovers. With
concerts taking place at various venues
across Wirral, it is an annual
celebration of guitar music. The year
concludes, with the Christmas Food
Fayre in the picturesque Port Sunlight
Village in December.
Date for yo
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Download the Events leaflet at www.visitwirral.com/whats-on
USEFUL INFO:
• Wirral Kite Festival
0151 691 8269
• Wirral Historic Vehicle Rally
0151 666 3188
• Port Sunlight Village Festival
0151 644 6466
• Wirral Food and
Drink Festival 07877 921276
• Hoylake RNLI Open Day
0151 666 3188
• Wirral Golf Classic
0151 625 9994
• International Guitar Festival
0151 666 0000
• Christmas Food Fayre
0151 644 6466
WHY NOT:
Before the main events season
truly kicks off, the Secret Gardens
of Oxton takes place in May.
Come and discover these
beautiful, private gardens in the
picturesque surroundings of
Oxton Village Conservation Area.
www.oxtonsociety.org.uk
EVENTS & FESTIVALS
FACTS:
Wirral has an eclectic array of
events and festivals. Many are
organised by our key attractions.
From Easter Egg hunts and
outdoor theatre at Ness Gardens,
to the Maize Maze at Brimstage
in the summer, the Church Farm
Scareshow in Autumn and the
Floral Pavilion pantomime at
the year’s end, Wirral is never
short of ways in which to
entertain you.
Main Photo: Wirral Kite Festival
46
www.visitwirral.com
On Our
Doorstep
Liverpool has a truly fascinating past and a legacy of breathtaking
architecture. The city has more museums, galleries and theatres than
any outside of London, plus a range of award-winning attractions.
W
IRRAL IS IDEALLY placed to
visit two of Britain’s most
famous cities, each attracting visitors
from around the world.
Liverpool has a truly fascinating past
and a legacy of breathtaking
architecture. The city has more
museums, galleries and theatres than any
outside of London, plus a range of
award-winning attractions. Learn about
‘The Fab Four’ at The Beatles Story or
take a Ferry ‘cross the Mersey and
enjoy the World Heritage Site
waterfront. Take a city bus tour, explore
the splendid parks or soak in the
atmosphere of not one, but two great
cathedrals, for an unforgettable
experience.
The ultra-modern Liverpool One, is
one of the UK’s finest shopping
experiences. Across the road is the
Albert Dock, boasting Merseyside
Maritime Museum and the Tate with
its major works of international artists.
Nearby at the Pier Head, the new
Museum of Liverpool is a fantastic
experience and perfect for families.
Chester has roots that go back to
Roman times. Tourists of all ages from
47
around the world are captivated by the
old city streets, the grand Georgian
houses, quaint shops and antique dealers.
But there is also a modern feel about
the city, with its traffic free centre and
shops selling top brands. Visit the
cathedral, dress in style for the races,
laze on the river banks or enjoy a day at
Chester Zoo.
The two-mile walk around the
Roman city walls provides unrivalled
views of the city’s heritage, including the
unique raised arcades known as ‘The
Rows’ and the iconic Eastgate Clock.
Southport is famous for its golden
sands, great golf links and its pier, the
second longest in the UK. Shop along
stylish Lord Street, a mile long
boulevard of boutiques, designer names
and high street brands, or enjoy one of
the many annual festivals and events.
Elsewhere in the Liverpool City
Region, trace the footsteps of the
medieval Augustinian canons at Norton
Priory Museums and Gardens, visit
Knowsley Safari Park, one of the UK’s
premier animal attractions, or the
award-winning World of Glass in
St Helens.
USEFUL INFO:
• Liverpool 0151 233 2008
www.visitliverpool.com
• Chester 0845 647 7868
www.visitchester.com
www.visitcheshire.com
• Sefton (Southport)
01704 533333
www.visitsouthport.com
• Halton (Runcorn/Widnes)
0151 907 8303
www.visithalton.com
• Knowsley 0151 443 2270
www.visitknowsley.com
• St Helens 01744 676789
www.visitsthelens.com
Main Photo: Albert Dock, Liverpool
Top Inset: Chester Races
Below Inset: Southport Pier
48
www.visitwirral.com
Accommodation
Whether you want the luxury of a top-class hotel or the intimacy of
a cosy guest house, Wirral has a wide range of accommodation to suit
all tastes.
W
HETHER YOU want the luxury
of a top-class hotel or the
intimacy of a cosy guest house, Wirral
has a wide range of accommodation to
suit all tastes.
In the heart of Wirral, Hillbark
provides high quality accommodation
within a Grade II listed building.
Originally built for a soap king, it was
amazingly moved brick by brick to its
present site in 1928. Thornton Hall
Hotel and Spa has spa facilities that
rival anywhere in the UK. Both hotels
have a four-star rating. Mere Brook
House, a carefully restored Edwardian
country house on the edge of the
picturesque village of Thornton Hough,
provides a five-star bed and breakfast
service. The delightful gardens are the
perfect place to relax.
The five star Caldy Warren Cottage
in West Kirby has breathtaking views
across the Dee estuary, and is a short
walk from the stunning Wirral Country
Park. Herons Well, a detached barn
conversion in West Kirby, is among
Wirral’s most attractive self-catering
cottages and has a five-star rating.
Mersey View at East Float Dock
consists of three serviced self-catering
apartments within a grade II listed
building. Offering views of the
waterfront, they have been awarded
five-star and four-star ratings.
The five-star listed Thatched Pavilion
is a former cricket pavillion situated in
the beautiful grounds of Thornton
Manor, Lord Leverhulme’s former
home. The accommodation listings on
the following pages, gives a range of
budget options from traditional inns, to
comfortable caravan sites. Whatever you
are looking for, Wirral has it.
Date for your Diary:
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49
Main Photo: Mere Brook, Inset: Herons Well
ACCOMMODATION FACTS:
Award-winning Accommodation:
• Hillbark, Mere Brook House,
Herons Well and Mersey View
all have the coveted ‘Gold’
Award in the VisitBritain
Quality Assessment Scheme.
Properties achieving ‘Gold’
have exceptional levels of
quality, comfort and cleanliness
in bedrooms and bathrooms,
and outstanding levels of
customer care and food.
• Herons Well won best selfcatering in the Liverpool City
Region for two consecutive
years in 2010 and 2011.
WHY NOT:
• Walk and cycle in Wirral using
one of the four Walks & Cycle
trail leaflets or the new
Circular Trail and reward your
exertions with a stay in one of
our hotels that has spa
facilities and boast quality and
affordable dining too.
• Stay in Wirral for one of the
many exciting events now on
offer. Mere Brook House,
Thornton Hall Hotel and
Thornton Manor are all very
handy for the foodie delights of
the Wirral Food & Drink
Festival. Caldy Warren
Cottage and Herons Well are
conveniently placed for Royal
Liverpool and The British
Open Team Racing Trophy at
West Kirby, whilst Mersey
View’s location is perfect for
the Port Sunlight Village
Festival, Secret Gardens of
Oxton and the Birkenhead
Park Festival of Transport.
50
Accommodation Listings
HOTELS
RATED ★★★★
Hillbark Hotel,
Royden Park, Frankby,
CH48 1NP. Rooms: 19. Gold.
Tel: 0151 625 2400
www.hillbarkhotel.co.uk
Leverhulme Hotel & Spa,
Port Sunlight Village,
CH62 5EZ. Rooms: 15. Silver.
Tel: 0151 644 6655
www.leverhulmehotel.co.uk
Macdonald Craxton Wood,
Parkgate Road, Ledsham,
CH66 9PB. Rooms: 72.
Tel: 0151 347 4000
www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/
craxtonwood
Thornton Hall Hotel and Spa,
Neston Road, Thornton Hough,
CH63 1JF. Rooms: 63.
Tel: 0151 336 3938
www.thorntonhallhotel.com
RATED ★★★
Brook Meadow,
Heath Lane, Childer Thornton,
CH66 7NS. Rooms: 25.
Tel: 0151 339 9350
www.oxfordhotelsandinns.com
Grove House Hotel,
Grove Road, Wallasey,
CH45 3HF. Rooms: 14.
Tel: 0151 639 3947
www.thegrovehouse.co.uk
51
Leasowe Castle,
Leasowe Road, Moreton,
CH46 3RF. Rooms: 46.
Tel: 0151 606 9191
www.leasowecastle.com
The Riverhill,
19 Talbot Road, Oxton,
CH43 2HJ. Rooms: 15.
Tel: 0151 653 3773
www.theriverhill.co.uk
RATED ★
Central Hotel,
Clifton Crescent, Birkenhead,
CH41 2QH. Rooms: 29.
Tel: 0151 647 6347
www.centralhotelbirkenhead.co.uk
AWAITING GRADING:
Holiday Inn Express,
The Kings Gap, Hoylake,
CH47 1HE. Rooms: 56.
Tel: 0151 632 2073
www.hiexpresshoylake.com
Royal Hilbre Boutique Hotel
& Spa,
8 Meols Drive, Hoylake,
CH47 4AQ. Rooms: 8.
Tel: 07581 263837
www.royalhilbrehotelspa.co.uk
Wirral Lodge,
114 Birkenhead Road, Meols,
CH47 0LE. Rooms: 14.
Tel: 0151 632 0800
www.wirrallodge.co.uk
BUDGET HOTELS
Holiday Inn Cheshire Oaks,
Waterways, Lower Mersey
Street, Ellesmere Port,
CH65 2AL. Rooms: 83.
Tel: 0151 356 8111
www.hiellesmereport.com
Premier Inn Bromborough,
High Street, Bromborough,
CH62 7EZ. Rooms: 32.
Tel: 0151 334 2917
www.premierinn.com
Inglewood Manor,
Badgers Rake Lane, Ledsham,
CH66 8PF. Rooms: 30.
Tel: 0151 339 5105
www.inglewoodmanor.co.uk
Premier Inn Childer Thornton,
New Chester Road,
Childer Thornton, CH66 1QW.
Rooms: 31. Tel: 0151 339 8101
www.premierinn.com
Premier Inn Greasby,
Greasby Road, Greasby, CH49 2PP.
Rooms: 30. Tel: 0151 677 5901
www.premierinn.com
Premier Inn Heswall,
Chester Road, Gayton,
CH60 3SD. Rooms: 37.
Tel: 0151 342 1982
www.premierinn.com
Premier Inn Two Mills,
Parkgate Road, Two Mills,
CH66 9PD. Rooms: 31.
Tel: 0151 339 2399
www.premierinn.com
The Village Hotel,
Pool Lane, Bromborough Pool,
CH62 4UE. Rooms: 117.
Tel: 0151 643 1616
www.village-hotels.co.uk/wirral
Travelodge Bromborough,
Pool Lane, Bromborough,
CH62 4UE. Rooms: 60.
Tel: 0871 984 6439
www.travelodge.co.uk
Travelodge Eastham,
1408 New Chester Road,
Eastham, CH62 9AQ. Rooms: 30.
Tel: 0871 984 6184
www.travelodge.co.uk
Travelodge Wallasey
New Brighton,
Marine Point, King’s Parade,
Wallasey, CH45 2PB. Rooms: 66.
Tel: 0871 984 6476
www.travelodge.co.uk
SERVICED
APARTMENTS
RATED ★★★★★ & ★★★★
Mersey View,
East Float Quay 1 - 5 star
East Float Quay 2 - 4 star
East Float Quay 3 - 4 star
Dock Rd, Birkenhead, CH41 1DP.
Sleeps up to 6 people. Gold.
Tel: 07941 562879
www.merseyview.com
For more information on accommodation visit www.visitwirral.com
www.visitwirral.com
SELF-CATERING
RATED ★★★★★
Herons Well,
Three Lanes End Farm,
West Kirby, CH48 1PT.
Maximum of 6 guests. Gold.
Tel: 0151 625 1401/07858 354389
www.heronswell.co.uk
RATED ★★★★
AAA North Villa Apartments,
31-32 North Parade, Hoylake,
CH47 3AJ. 7 apartments, catering for parties of varying sizes.
Tel: 0151 632 3982
www.northvilla.com
Abbey House,
108 Meols Drive, West Kirby,
CH48 5DA.
Maximum of 4 guests.
Tel: 0151 632 0914
www.abbeyhousewestkirby.co.uk
Captains View,
1 Egremont Promenade,
Wallasey, CH44 8BG.
Sleeps up to 5 people.
Tel: 0151 638 5057/07803 084197
http://freespace.virgin.net/
marilyn.pantoni/
Port Sunlight
Holiday Cottages,
21 & 22 King Georges Drive,
Port Sunlight, CH62 5DX.
Two cottages - 1 more suited to
larger parties than the other.
Tel: 0151 644 4805
www.portsunlighhtvillage.com.
Redcap,
2 Redcap Close, Wallasey,
CH45 3QH.
Maximum of 5 guests.
Tel: 0151 513 0709
www.wirralcoastproperties.co.uk/
redcap.php.
Thornton Manor The Thatched Pavilion,
Thornton Manor,
Thornton Hough, CH63 1JB.
Sleeps up to 4 people
Tel: 0151 353 1155
www.thorntonmanor.co.uk
RATED ★★★
Barnacre Farm Cottages,
Saughall Massie, CH46 8TQ.
Sleeps 5/7 and 4/6.
Tel: 07753 807611
www.barnacrewirral.com
Mill Cottage,
1392b New Chester Rd, Eastham,
CH62 4RB. Sleeps 4.
Tel: 0151 334 1193
www.visitwirral.com/where-tostay/mill-cottage
GUEST ACCOM
RATED ★★★★★
Mere Brook House, Thornton
Hough, CH63 0LU. Rooms: 4.
Gold. Tel: 07713 189949
www.merebrookhouse.co.uk
42 Caldy Road,
West Kirby, CH48 2HQ.
Rooms: 3. Tel: 0151 625 8740
www.warrencott.demon.co.uk
RATED ★★★★
At Peel Hey Country
Guest House
Frankby, CH48 1PP. Rooms: 9.
Silver. Tel: 0151 677 9077
www.peelhey.co.uk
Pendragon House,
1 Bertram Drive, Hoylake,
CH47 0LG. Rooms: 5. Silver.
Tel: 0151 632 5344
www.pendragonhouseuk.com
21 Park House,
21 Park Road, West Kirby,
CH48 4DN. Rooms: 8.
Tel: 07974 264694/
0151 625 4665
www.21parkhouse.com
RATED ★★★
Albion House,
41 Albion Street, New Brighton,
CH45 9LE. Rooms: 10
Tel: 0151 639 7144
www.albionhouse.org.uk
Dunsandles Guest House,
115 Rowson Street,
New Brighton, CH45 2LZ.
Rooms: 6. Tel: 0151 639 8754
www.dunsandles.com
Sherwood Guest House,
55 Wellington Road,
New Brighton, CH45 2ND.
Rooms: 5. Tel: 0151 639 5198
www.sherwoodguesthouse.com
Shrewsbury Lodge,
31 Shrewsbury Road, Oxton,
CH43 2JB. Rooms: 15.
Tel: 0151 652 4029
www.shrewsbury-hotel.com
The Queen's Royal,
Marine Promenade, Wallasey,
CH45 2JT. Rooms: 12.
Tel: 0151 691 0101
www.thequeensroyal.co.uk
Villa Venezia,
14-16 Prenton Road West,
Birkenhead, CH42 9PN.
Rooms: 7. Tel: 0151 608 9212
www.veneziapizzeria.co.uk
INN
RATED ★★★★
The Dibbinsdale,
Dibbinsdale Road, CH63 0HQ.
Rooms: 13. Tel: 0151 334 9818
www.dibbinsdale-inn.co.uk
HOLIDAY PARK
RATED ★★★
Park Lane Holiday Homes
and Country Club,
Park Lane, Meols, CH47 8XX.
10-25 homes for hire.
Tel: 0151 632 3331
www.parklaneholidayhomes.co.uk
52
Eating Out Listings
CARAVAN SITE
RATED ★★★★
Wirral Country Park Caravan
Club Site,
Station Road, Thurstaston,
CH61 0HN.
Caravan Club members only.
Tel: 0151 648 5228
www.caravanclub.co.uk
CARAVAN CLUB
CERTIFIED
LOCATION
Arrowe Brook Farm
Caravan Site,
Arrowe Brook Lane, Greasby,
CH49 3NZ. 5 caravan pitches.
Tel: 0151 677 1615
Church Farm Caravan Site,
Church Lane, Thurstaston,
CH61 0HW. 10 caravan pitches.
Tel: 0151 648 7838
www.churchfarm.org.uk
Grange Farm,
Little Storeton, Bebington,
CH63 6HR. 5 caravan pitches.
Tel: 0151 608 2007
Star ratings symbolise the level
of service, range of facilities and
quality of guest care that you can
expect. Accommodation is
required to meet progressively
higher standards as they move
up the scale from 1 to 5 Stars.
Please note that quality
standards, and therefore star
ratings, differ between hotels and
guest accommodation, and it is
advisable to check suitability and
accessibility with the operator
before making a booking.
RESTAURANTS
Ambuja Indian Brasserie,
513 Pensby Road, Thingwall,
CH61 7UQ. Tel: 0151 648 5949
www.ambuja.co.uk
Anchor Inn,
Thurstaston Road, Irby,
CH61 0HA. Tel: 0151 648 1698
www.theanchorinnirby.co.uk
Capitol,
24 Argyle Street, Hamilton
Square, Birkenhead, CH41 6AE.
Tel: 0151 647 9212
www.capitol-restaurant.com
Da Piero,
5 Mill Hill Road, Irby,
CH61 4UB. Tel: 0151 648 7373
www.dapiero.co.uk
Fraiche,
11 Rosemount, Oxton Village,
CH43 5SG. Tel: 0151 652 2914
www.restaurantfraiche.com
Garretts,
2c Bromborough Road,
Bebington, CH63 7RE.
Tel: 0151 645 7199
www.garrettsrestaurant.com
Gem Restaurant,
1 Milner Road, Heswall,
CH60 5RT. Tel: 0151 342 4811
Golden Orchid,
46 Market Street, Hoylake,
CH47 2AF. Tel: 0151 632 6097
www.visitwirral.com/foodanddrink
Gusto,
146-148 Telegraph Road,
Heswall, CH60 0AH.
Tel: 0151 348 4538
www.gustorestaurants.uk.com
Julian’s,
20 Birkenhead Road, Hoylake,
CH47 3BW. Tel: 0151 632 6241
www.visitwirral.com/foodanddrink
Karma,
9 Banks Road, West Kirby,
CH48 9DY. Tel: 0151 625 5999
www.visitwirral.com/foodanddrink
53
Kuki’s,
119-121 Banks Road,
West Kirby, CH48 0RB.
Tel: 0151 625 3100
www.kukis.co.uk
Lawns at
Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa,
Neston Road, Thornton Hough,
CH63 1JF. Tel: 0151 336 3938
www.lawnsrestaurant.co.uk
Lino’s,
122-122a Market Street,
Hoylake, CH47 3BH.
Tel: 0151 632 1408
www.linosrestaurant.co.uk
Nova Restaurant,
68 Pensby Road, Heswall,
CH60 7RE. Tel: 0151 342 9959
www.novarestaurant.co.uk
Peninsula Dining Room,
3 Grosvenor Road,
New Brighton, CH45 2LW.
Tel: 0151 639 8338
www.peninsula-dining-room.co.uk
Portcullis at
Leasowe Castle Hotel,
Leasowe Road, Moreton,
CH46 3RF. Tel: 0151 606 9191
www.leasowecastle.com
Portrait House,
6 The Quadrant, Hoylake,
CH47 2EE. Tel: 0151 632 4444
www.theportraithouse.co.uk
Richard Fox @
The Leverhulme Hotel,
Port Sunlight Village,
CH62 5EZ. Tel: 0151 644 6655
www.leverhulmehotel.co.uk
Scog’s,
34-36 Banks Road, West Kirby,
CH48 0RD. Tel: 0151 625 7579
www.scog’s.co.uk
Sheldrakes,
Banks Road, Lower Heswall,
CH60 9JS. Tel: 0151 342 1556
www.sheldrakesrestaurant.co.uk
www.gustorestaurants.uk.com
www.visitwirral.com
Siam Thai,
101 Arrowe Road, Greasby,
CH49 1RY. Tel: 0151 677 5719
www.siamgreasby.com
Stewart Warner @ Hillbark,
Hillbark Hotel, Royden Park,
Frankby, CH48 1NP.
Tel: 0151 625 2400
www.hillbarkhotel.co.uk
GASTRO PUBS
Irby Mill,
Mill Lane, Greasby, CH49 3NT.
Tel: 0151 604 0194
www.irbymill.co.uk
Ring o’ bells,
40 Village Road, West Kirby,
CH48 7HE. Tel: 0151 929 6750
www.gkpubs.co.uk
The Bay Tree Restaurant at
The Riverhill Hotel,
Talbot Road, Oxton, CH43 2HJ.
Tel: 0151 653 3773
www.theriverhill.co.uk
The Cottage Loaf,
338 Telegraph Road,
Thurstaston, CH61 0HJ.
Tel: 0151 648 2837
www.cottage-loaf-pub-wirral.co.uk
The Manor,
91 Greasby Road, Greasby
Village, CH49 3NF.
Tel: 0151 677 7034
www.themanorwirral.com
The Devon Doorway,
2 Telegraph Road, Heswall,
CH60 2SA. Tel: 0151 348 4462
www.thedevondoorway.co.uk
The Oak Tree Restaurant at
The Grove House Hotel,
Grove Road, Wallasey,
CH45 3HF. Tel: 0151 639 3947
www.thegrovehouse.co.uk
The Olive Grove,
104-106 Telegraph Road,
Heswall, CH60 0AQ.
Tel: 0151 342 9100
www.olive-grove.co.uk
The Shrewsbury Lodge,
31 Shrewsbury Road, Oxton,
CH43 2JB. Tel: 0151 652 4029
www.shrewsbury-hotel.com
Woodcotes @ The Woodcote
House Hotel,
Hooton Road, Hooton,
CH66 1QU. Tel: 0151 327 1542
www.woodcotehouse.co.uk
3 Banks Road,
3 Banks Road, West Kirby,
CH48 4HD. Tel: 0151 625 7200
www.visitwirral.com/foodanddrink
107 Dining Room,
107 Telegraph Road, Heswall,
CH60 0AF. Tel: 0151 342 3420
www.107diningroom.co.uk
The Fox & Hounds,
107 Barnston Road, Barnston
Village, CH61 1BW.
Tel: 0151 648 7685
www.the-fox-hounds.co.uk
The Seven Stars,
Church Road, Thornton Hough,
CH63 1JW. Tel: 0151 336 4574
www.sevenstarswirral.co.uk
The Wheatsheaf Inn,
Rabymere Road, Raby,
CH63 4JH. Tel: 0151 336 3416
www.wheatsheaf-cowshed
CASUAL DINING
Ellie’s Bar & Bistro,
126 Greasby Road, Greasby,
CH49 3NQ. Tel: 0151 678 0104
www.elliesbistro.co.uk
Lady Lever Café,
Lady Lever Art Gallery,
Port Sunlight Village,
CH62 5EQ. Tel: 0151 478 4136
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
Le Petit Bistro,
2a Bromborough Road,
Bebington, CH63 7RE.
Tel: 0151 645 7199
www.le-petit-bistro.com
The Hillbark Grill,
Hillbark Hotel, Royden Park,
Frankby, CH48 1NP.
Tel: 0151 625 2400
www.hillbarkhotel.co.uk
The Olive Tree Bistro,
78 Victoria Road, New Brighton,
CH45 2JF. Tel: 0151 638 1810
www.theolivetreebistro.co.uk
The Wro Lounge,
2 Grange Road, West Kirby,
CH48 4HA. Tel: 0151 625 2010
thewro-lounge.co.uk
QUALITY TREATS
Aubergine,
Blenheim Building, Crescentwalk,
West Kirby, CH48 4DA.
Tel: 0151 625 2662
www.theaubergine.co/
Avanti,
250 Telegraph Road, Heswall,
CH60 7SG. Tel: 0151 342 9703
www.avanticaffe.co.uk
Cappuccinos In The Park,
Visitor’s Centre, Birkenhead
Park, CH41 4HD.
Tel: 0151 652 3337
www.twitter.com/@Realcappuccinos
Chantilly Tea Rooms,
The Quadrant, Hoylake,
CH47 2EE. Tel: 0151 632 0821
Gorge’Us,
7 Church Road, Bebington,
CH63 7PG. Tel: 0151 644 8133
www.gorge-us.co.uk
Home,
Woodside Ferry Terminal,
Birkenhead, CH41 6DU. You will
also find Home cafes within Oxton
village (Christchurch Road) and at
Prenton Park Recreation Centre.
Tel: 0151 330 1475
www.homeedr.co.uk
Lattetude Café,
8a Dee Lane, West Kirby,
CH48 0QA. Tel: 0151 625 3986
www.lattetude.moonfruit.com
For more information on eating out visit www.visitwirral.com
54
Eating Out Listings
Roses Tea Rooms,
Ness Botanic Gardens, Neston
Road, Neston, CH64 4AY.
Tel: 0151 353 0123
www.rosestearooms.co.uk
Sweet Pea,
2a Acacia Grove, West Kirby,
CH48 4DD. Tel: 07769 812951
Join them on www.facebook.com
The Countrymouse Restaurant,
Brimstage Courtyard, Brimstage,
CH63 6JA. Tel: 0151 342 5382
www.brimstagehall.com
Toast,
33 Grange Road, West Kirby,
CH48 4DZ.
Tel: 0151 625 7207
Join them on www.facebook.com
Züger’s Tea Rooms,
150 Allport Road, Bromborough,
CH62 6BB. Tel: 0151 334 1904
www.zugerstearooms.co.uk
7th Heaven,
124 Victoria Road, New
Brighton, CH45 9LD.
Tel: 0151 638 1316
FRESH IDEAS
AI Roberts Butchers,
7 The Crescent, West Kirby,
CH48 4HL. Tel: 0151 625 6368
www.airoberts.co.uk
Birkenhead Market,
Claughton Road, Birkenhead,
CH41 2YH.
Tel: 0151 666 3194/5
www.birkenheadmarket.co.uk
Brimstage Brewery,
Brimstage. Tel: 0151 342 1181
[email protected]
Church Farm Organics,
Church Lane, Thurstaston,
CH61 0HW. Tel: 0151 648 7838
www.churchfarm.org.uk
55
Claremont Farm,
Old Clatterbridge Road,
Bebington, CH63 4JB.
Tel: 0151 346 1796
www.claremontfarm.co.uk
Edge & Sons,
61 New Chester Road,
New Ferry, CH62 1AB.
www.traditionalmeat.com
Muff ’s Butchers,
5 Allport Lane, Bromborough,
CH62 7HH. Tel: 0151 334 2002
www.muffsonline.co.uk
Peerless Brewery,
8 Pool Street, Birkenhead,
CH41 3NL. Tel: 0151 647 7688
www.peerlessbrewing.co.uk
PS & EM Johnson & Son
Farmers, Oldfield Farm,
Heswall, CH60 6SG.
Tel: 0151 342 1399
www.oldfieldfarmheswall.co.uk
The Vegi-table,
Old Clatterbridge Road,
Bebington, CH63 4JB.
Tel: 07974 968830/07732
791496
www.vegi-table.co.uk
Ward’s Fish,
CP27, Birkenhead Market,
Claughton Road, Birkenhead,
CH41 2YW. Tel: 0151 666 1842
www.wardsfish.co.uk
DRINKS
Glassfire,
6-9 Albert Road, Hoylake,
CH47 2AB. Tel: 0151 632 0011
join glassfire on www.facebook.com
Koi,
38 Banks Road, West Kirby,
CH48 0RD. Tel: 0151 625 5444
[email protected]
La Bodega,
2 Market Street, Hoylake,
CH47 2AE. Tel: 0151 632 5230
www.la-bodega.co.uk
Mojo’s,
3 Dee Lane, West Kirby,
CH48 0QA. Tel: 07784 559271
join mojo’s on www.facebook.com
Oxton Bar & Terrace,
2 Claughton Firs, Oxton Village,
CH43 5TQ. Tel: 0151 651 2535
www.oxtonbar.co.uk
Slinky’s,
84 Banks Road, West Kirby,
CH48 0RE. Tel: 0151 625 6711
join slinky’s on www.facebook.com
Terrace ‘C’,
186 Telegraph Road, Heswall,
CH60 0AJ. Tel: 0151 342 0920
www.terracec.co.uk
Red Door,
Grange Road, West Kirby,
CH48 4DY. Tel: 0151 929 6380
www.reddoor.uk.com
The Wro Bar,
2 Grange Road, West Kirby,
CH48 4HA. Tel: 0151 625 2010
thewro-lounge.co.uk
Wirral Farmers’ Market,
New Ferry Village Hall,
Grove Street, CH62 5AX.
Tel: 0151 643 1393
www.wirralfarmersmarket.co.uk
Tides,
Unit 3, Market Street, Hoylake,
CH47 2AE. Tel: 0151 632 6974
www.visitwirral.com/foodanddrink
Wirral Watercress,
Tel: 07779 019348
www.wirral Watercress.co.uk
Vanilla Lounge,
6 Market Street, Hoylake,
CH47 2AE. Tel: 0151 633 2390
www.vanillalounge.webeden.co.uk
For more information on eating out visit www.visitwirral.com
www.visitwirral.com
This guide has been produced with the kind support of
the following Wirral Tourism Business Network members.
Barnacre Farm Cottages www.barnacrewirral.com
Birkenhead Market www.birkenheadmarket.co.uk
Bromborough Golf Club www.bromboroughgolfclub.org.uk
Caldy Golf Club www.caldygolfclub.co.uk
Church Farm www.churchfarm.org.uk
Claremont Farm www.claremontfarm.co.uk
Gorge’Us www.gorge-us.co.uk
Heron’s Well www.heronswell.co.uk
Heswall Golf Club www.heswallgolfclub.com
Hillbark Hotel www.hillbarkhotel.co.uk
Inglewood Manor Hotel www.inglewoodmanor.co.uk
Leasowe Castle Hotel www.leasowecastle.com
Leverhulme Hotel & Spa www.leverhulmehotel.co.uk
Mere Brook House www.merebrookhouse.co.uk
Ness Botanic Gardens www.nessgardens.org.uk
North Villa Apartments www.northvilla.com
21 Park House www.21parkhouse.com
Peninsula Dining Room www.peninsula-dining-room.co.uk
Port Sunlight Village Trust www.portsunlightvillage.com
Royal Hilbre Hotel & Spa www.royalhilbrehotelspa.co.uk
Royal Liverpool Golf Club www.royal-liverpool-golf.com
Sheldrakes Restaurant www.sheldrakesrestaurant.co.uk
The Dibbinsdale Inn www.dibbinsdale-inn.co.uk
The Grove House Hotel www.thegrovehouse.co.uk
Riverhill Hotel www.theriverhill.co.uk
The Wro Bar, Lounge and Loft www.thewro-lounge.co.uk
Thornton Hall Hotel www.thorntonhallhotel.com
Tranmere Rovers Football Club www.tranmererovers.co.uk
Village Hotel & Leisure Club www.village-hotels.co.uk/wirral
Wallasey Golf Club www.wallaseygolfclub.com
West Kirby Sailing Club www.wksc.net
Front cover photo: © Christopher Conway.
Photos on page 12 (inset) and page 38 (main photo) © Guy Huntington 2011.
Taken from ‘Reflections of Wirral’ by Guy Huntington and Kenneth Burnley.
56
Finding your
way around
IRISH SEA / LIVERPOOL BAY
W
IRRAL IS EASILY accessible by
road, rail, sea and air. Manchester
International Airport and Liverpool John
Lennon Airport are 45 minutes by road.
The M53 motorway which runs through
Wirral connects to the M56 and M6.
Two Mersey Tunnels link Wirral to
Liverpool and Europe’s oldest ferry
continues the ‘Ferry cross the Mersey’
service from Woodside and Seacombe.
A local rail network connects the
peninsula to the national rail network via
Liverpool Lime Street Station. Wirral
also boasts a comprehensive local bus
network for you to explore the region.
Leasowe
Lighthouse
Moreton
Meols
Manor Road
Hoylake
Municipal
Golf Course
Greasby
Useful Numbers:
• Tourist Information
0151 666 3188
• Traveline Merseytravel
0871 200 2233
• National Rail Services
0845 748 4950
• Liverpool John Lennon Airport
0870 750 8484
• Manchester Airport
0161 489 3000
• Stena Line
0870 600 4321
• Isle of Man Ferries
0870 552 3523
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the
accuracy in this publication, Wirral Council
cannot accept responsibility for any errors,
inaccuracies or omissions. The businesses and
organisations listed are not an exhaustive list,
and are intended to be indicative only.
W
irr
- Wal C
irr oun
al try
W P
ay ar
k
Wirral Circular Trail
Ferry Service
Walking route only
Country Park
Cycling route only
Residential area
Motorway
Park
Roads
Visitor Centre
Rail route
Suggested Viewpoint
Recommended
Birdwatching spot
Hospital / A&E
Train Station
57
Mersey Tunnel
Y
Wallasey
Grove
Wirral
Transport
Museum
Wallasey
Village
Leasowe
Golf Club
U-boat Story Pier Head
Ferry
Conway
Terminal
Park
Hamilton
Woodside
Square
Ferry Terminal
The
Wilfred
Owen Story
Birkenhead Priory
Birkenhead
Central
Bidston
Moss
Bidston
Leasowe
Birkenhead
North
Birkenhead
Park
Green Lane
Birkenhead Park
Upton
Wirral
Ladies
Golf Club
See inset map
Oxton
Rock
Ferry
Arrowe
Country
Park
Prenton
Golf Club
Arrowe Park
Golf Club
Bebington
Thingwall
Storeton
Barnston
Pensby
Brackenwood
Golf Course
Spital
Heswall
Dales
Heswall
Brimstage Hall
& Craft Courtyard
Bromborough
Rake
Bromborough
Bromborough
Golf Club
Eastham
Rake
WIRRAL
Parkgate
Neston
CHESHIRE WEST
& CHESTER
rk
Wirral Country Pa
Hooton
- Wirral Way
Eastham
Lodge
Golf Club
© Crown copyright and database rights 2011. Ordnance Survey 100019803.
Seacombe
Ferry
Terminal
Warren Park
Golf Links
2012
Wirral Year of Coast and Countryside
Major events at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake:
2012
RICOH Women’s British Open
2013
Boys Amateur Championship
2014
The Open Championship
For further details please visitwirral.com
88FEB11GB