A wonderful walk across the sands to reach the 3 islands of Little Eye, Little Hilbre and Hilbre Islands with an open vista of the estuary and the nearby Welsh hills, seabirds and waders and grey Atlantic seals. We return across the sand and take a circular route around the Marine Lake and the Wirral Way.
Green
9 June 2024
No dogs allowed
Leaving the Dee Lane car park (next to Morrisons in the centre of West Kirby), we cross directly onto the beach and walk across the sands to reach the islands returning on the same route.
The three islands form part of the Dee Estuary SSSI, which is one of the ten most important estuaries in Europe for the overwintering of wildfowl and waders and as a resting-place for other birds on migration. The bright red rock is Bunter sandstone, which also forms Thurstaston Hill on the mainland.
Many flint arrowheads and other artefacts from Neolithic times have been found on the islands, while a bronze axe-head and a burial urn show occupation during the Bronze Age. The Romans had a signal station here and there is written evidence of the Normans’ presence. The Dean and Chapter of Chester Cathedral owned and leased out the islands for many years including a pub, telegraph signal station and a lifeboat station.
Back in West Kirby we loop around the Marine Lake and then return to the centre of town via the Wirral Way on a former railway track.
Terrain: Almost entirely flat walk but can be very wet on the sand so waterproof footwear is strongly recommended.
Safety
Let the walk leader know of any relevant medical conditions
Refer to the Handbook for walk related information and specifically for recommended walking equipment https://ohwc.org.uk/kit-list/ and safety information https://ohwc.org.uk/safety/
Remember you are responsible for being properly equipped
Ensure you have the walk leader’s phone number in case of an emergency
If you become detached from the group STOP, call out; try contacting group by phone or text. If no contact return to the last place you were with the group. Wait 30 mins repeatedly trying to make contact. After 30 mins seek help and/or make your own way safely.
The Google map below is the location of the walk start point.