Walk this way... Wirral Walking Festival is back!

Wirral Walking Festival is back this May, highlighting the range of organised walks that take place across the peninsula, from short strolls to energetic rambles, history and culture to nature and wildlife.

The annual event, co-ordinated by Wirral Sports Development and Active Wirral, offers free walks that are suitable for all ages and abilities, with many accessible to people with limited mobility too.

Fiona Hanik, Wirral Walking Festival Co-ordinator said: “Walking isn’t just great for your health and fitness, it boosts your mental health and is a great way to meet people and explore beautiful parts of Wirral.”

All of the walks are free, unless stated below, and most you can just turn up beforehand to take part. Please note that some require booking ahead.

Wirral Walking Festival 2023:

Monday 1 May, 1.30pm - 3.30pm:

• Trees of Birkenhead Park: Join the Wirral Tree Warden Network for a leisurely 3 mile tour of the historic park, admiring trees at their best. Meet outside the Visitor Centre. For more information email alitherland@virginmedia.com

Sunday 7 May, 11am - 1pm:

• Arno Walk: Explore Arno Hill and surrounding areas. This walk starts by the play area next to Sainsbury’s petrol station. This walk is free but book your place by emailing oxtonbooks@yahoo.co.uk or by phoning 07734 558411.

Saturday 13 May, 10.30am - 1.30pm:

• Heswall Dales & Dungeon Woodland Walk: Join the Rangers for a 5 mile walk that takes in the Dungeon Woodland, Heswall Dales, the Dee Estuary shoreline and the cliffs at Thurstaston. There are steep hills, uneven ground and it may be muddy, so sturdy footwear is essential. No booking required.

Saturday 13 May, 10.45am:

• Guided Walk at Flaybrick: Discover fascinating stories of the past residents of Birkenhead on this 90 minute walk. Meet at the chapels. £2. Visit www.flaybrick.org/guided-walks for more information.

Saturday 13 May, 11am - 1pm:

• Williamson Walk: Discover how the town the developed in the Claughton and Oxton areas. This walk starts at Williamson Art Gallery. This walk is free but book your place by emailing oxtonbooks@yahoo.co.uk or by phoning 07734 558411.

Tuesday 16 May, 10.30am - 2.30pm:

• Parks and Green Spaces of Wallasey Part 1: A 5.5 mile walk between parks and green spaces in the south of Wallasey, including The Delph, the Breck and Central Park. Bring drinks and a packed lunch. Meet outside Wallasey Central Library. For more information email alitherland@virginmedia.com

Wednesday 17 May, 6.30pm:

• The Neston Collieries: Learn the extraordinary story about sabotage, underground canals and tragedy on this 2.5 mile circular walk with local historian Anthony Annakin-Smith. Free but booking essential via wirralwalks@btinternet.com.

Friday 19 May, 10.30am - 2.30pm:

• Parks and Green Spaces of Wallasey Part 2: This 5 mile walk connects the parks and green spaces in the north of Wallasey, including The Gorse Millennium Green, Harrison Park, Elleray Park and Vale Park. Meet outside Grove Road Station ticket office. For more information, email alitherland@virginmedia.com

Saturday 20 May, 11am - 1pm:

• East Oxton Walk: Learn about the history of the village and the people who live there on this leisurely guided walk. Meet in the village centre by the post box. This walk is free but book your place by emailing oxtonbooks@yahoo.co.uk or by phoning 07734 558411.

Saturday 27 May, 11am - 1pm:

• West Oxton Walk: Learn about the history of the village and the people who live there on this leisurely guided walk. Meet in the village centre by the post box. This walk is free but book your place by emailing oxtonbooks@yahoo.co.uk or by phoning 07734 558411.

Sunday 28 May, 11am - 1pm:

• Teddy Bear’s Picnic and Toddler Toddle: A chance for young ones to explore Wirral Country Park at Thurstaston and play some games. Bring your own picnic. Places are limited so book ahead by emailing FionaHanik@wirral.gov.uk.

Monday 29 May, 10.30am - 12.30pm:

• Trees of Flaybrick Memorial Gardens: Join the Wirral Tree Warden Network for a 3 mile walk around the historic cemetery in Birkenhead, admiring significant trees at their best. There are some uneven paths so some of the route is not accessible for wheelchair users. For more information email alitherland@virginmedia.com

Tuesday 30 May, 10.30am - 12.30pm:

• Wildlife of Wirral Country Park: Join the Rangers for a closer look at the wildlife in the park. The 1.5 mile walk will start with pond dipping, before taking in the clifftop meadows and Dawpool Nature Reserve. This is a family friendly event and accessible to all but booking is essential. Email wcp@wirral.gov.uk

Tuesday 30 May, 6pm:

• The Most Important Field in Neston: A short 1 hour walk with local historian Anthony Annakin-Smith, recognising how one field in Neston reflects hundreds of years of the area’s history. Free but booking essential via www.ticketsource.co.uk/cwaclibraries or at Neston Library.

Wednesday 31 May, 10am - 2.30pm:

• Ron Williams Memorial Walk: An annual 6.5 mile walk which starts and finishes in Arrowe Country Park, taking in Irby, Thurstaston Common and Royden Park. Bring drinks and a packed lunch. Meet at The Red Rooms Café. For more information, email thomasjjones1949@gmail.com

Wednesday 31 May, 11am - 1pm:

• Women of Oxton: Learn about former female residents of Oxton, including suffragettes and the UK’s first warranted female police officer. This walk starts at Williamson Art Gallery. The walk is free but book your place by emailing oxtonbooks@yahoo.co.uk or by phoning 07734 558411.

Wednesday 31 May, 10am - 6.30pm:

• Parkgate: Port and Resort: Learn about the rich history of the popular seaside village on this 3.5 mile circular walk with local historian Anthony Annakin-Smith. Free but booking essential - email wirral-walks@btinternet.com

Weekly Wellbeing Walks:

In addition, the following walks take place every week throughout the year. They are free and no booking is required, simply turn up 10 minute before a walk is due to start and introduce yourself to the trained volunteer.

Birkenhead Park: This walk is 2-3 miles long and there are slow and fast walks available. Meet at the park’s visitor centre every Sunday and Monday (including Bank Holidays), 11am - 12 noon, or Thursday’s 1pm - 2pm.

Wallasey Village Library: A variety of walks, 1.5 - 2.5 miles long, every Monday (excluding Bank Holidays), Wednesday & Friday, 11am - 12 noon, starting from the library on St George’s Road.

West Kirby: A beautiful 1-2 mile coastal route every Monday (excluding Bank Holidays) and Wednesday, 12 noon - 1pm. The route crosses the Wirral Way and there will be a well-earned coffee afterwards. Meet in reception at West Kirby Concourse.

Bromborough Library: A variety of walks to Dibbinsdale or Eastham Country Park, every Monday (excluding Bank Holidays), 10.30am - 11.30am. The walks range in length from 2-3 miles. Meet at St Barnabas Church car-park.

Port Sunlight River Park: Walks between 1 and 2.5 miles with views over Wirral and the River Mersey, every Tuesday from 10.30am - 11.30am. Meet in the car park, Dock Road North.

Wallasey Evening Walk: An enjoyable evening stroll every Tuesday from 7.15pm to 8.15pm. Walks range from 0.7 miles to 2.5 miles. Meet at Grove Road Station.

Arrowe Park: A fast walk between 2.5 and 3 miles long, with stunning views, every Tuesday from 10.30am - 11am. Meet outside Red Rooms Café.

Port Sunlight: Soak in the atmosphere of the Grade II listed historic garden village with this enjoyable 1.5 walk every Wednesday from 11am - 12 noon. Meet at Port Sunlight railway station, near the bowling green.

Royden Park: A 3 mile walk with ancient rock landscapes and stunning views, every Thursday from 1.30am - 3pm. Meet in the car park near the toilets.

Vale Park: A 30 minute walk for those living with and beyond cancer, every Thursday from 12 noon - 1pm, with coffee afterwards. Meet by Community House in Vale Park.

If you have any questions about the walks listed above, call 0151 929 7823 or email Wellbeing Walks Co-ordinator Fiona at FionaHanik@Wirral.gov.uk