Wander, stroll or walk in West Kirby this winter
We’ve pulled together our top five walks in West Kirby and the surrounding area for you to enjoy this winter.
Whether you are looking to stretch your legs, exercise the dog or just fancy a wander around the town centre, see which of our favourites takes your fancy.
1. West Kirby Town Centre
Wander through the streets of the town, enjoy a spot of shopping, stop at one of the many eateries to enjoy a bite…maybe a hot chocolate and a mince pie to really get into the festive mood.
A more relaxed walk suited to the cooler weather – or when a downpour appears out of nowhere.
Duration: Can be altered depending on suitability to the group
Scale: Easy
2. West Kirby Marine Lake
A popular leisurely walk that stretches the border of the marine lake from West Kirby to Red Rocks at Hoylake and remains open whilst the flood wall construction is ongoing.
The 1.5-mile-long path is a flat walk giving an opportunity to take in the fresh sea breeze and can end with a nice warming hot drink from West Kirby Sail Loft or one of the many other hospitality venues in the town.
Duration: 20mins
Scale: Easy – Medium
3. Wirral Way
West Kirby also happens to be the entrance to Wirral Way – a 12-mile, mainly flat, and traffic-free path through Wirral’s countryside and one of the borough’s most popular walking routes. Whether you are up for walking the full 12-miles and taking a tour of the borough by foot, or you are just after a half-a-mile stroll – this path can be used for a range of walks – all as enjoyable as each other.
Duration: Can be altered depending on suitability to the group
Scale: Easy – Medium
4. West Kirby and Caldy Hill
If you’d like a longer walk, why not take in the sights and combine some of the ‘must-see hotspots’ of West Kirby with a longer walk, totalling about 4 miles.
The varied walk, starting from West Kirby, takes in Grange Hill and Caldy Hill both with spectacular views of Liverpool Bay, across to the Pennines one way and North Wales the other, then dropping down into Caldy village, onto the Wirral Way and around the Marine Lake, and back to West Kirby.
The walking route starts from West Kirby Train Station so is perfect if you are travelling to the area by train. If not, parking is available in West Kirby Concourse car park.
Get the full route on Visit Wirral.
Duration: 2-5 hrs
Scale: Medium - Hard
5. Hilbre Islands
The unique Hilbre Islands are three tidal islands - Little Eye, Middle Eye and Hilbre - and are designated as Local Nature Reserves. At low-tide, you can walk out to the islands from West Kirby beach – and you might even be lucky enough to capture a glimpse of some of the wildlife that lives there as well as the incredible views. Grey seals haul out on the sandbanks and fish around the island and you may even be fortunate enough to spot a Purple Sandpiper or two feeding by the old lifeboat slipway.
It is important to take time to plan your journey before heading out on a walk to Hilbre – check the tides times, wear appropriate footwear and be mindful that the island has no shops or drinking water, so you’ll have to wait until you get back to West Kirby itself for that slice of cake and refreshing drink. During the winter, be aware that it might also be muddier and slipper and that it gets dark earlier. With the fading light, give yourself time to walk back (leaving the islands at least an hour before sunset).
Check tide times and get more information about Hilbre Islands on the council’s website.
Duration: 3hrs (1hr to walk out, 1hr on the island, 1hr to walk back)
Scale: Medium - Hard
