Wirral Country Park

The first country park in Britain, Wirral Country Park is based on a former railway line which ran from West Kirby to Hooton. The Wirral Way is a 12-mile footpath/cycle way and a 10 mile separate horse ride, both running parallel to the Dee Estuary and affording spectacular views across to Wales. 

The site also contains areas such as The Dungeon (a sandstone gorge with woodland), Cubbins Green (a grassy cliff top area) and the Visitor Centre at Thurstaston, with car parking, toilets, picnic and BBQ areas and nature trails. 

Wirral Country Park is a place of contrasts. Badgers and foxes hunt the quieter parts, birds nest in the dense hedges or fee on the berries in winter, and you may see up to 10 kinds of butterfly in summer. Head for the 60 feet high, boulder-clay cliffs and look out over the Dee Estuary and you'll smell the tang of mud and salt, feel the sea breeze and get a sense of space unlike the enclosed, inland Wirral Way. 

Visit Wirral Country Park at Thurstaston for the visitor centre, and some genuinely beautiful scenery. The Visitor Centre is open throughout the year, and is the based for the Ranger and Information Services at the park. Refreshments and toilets are available, and there is a small exhibition area and activities for children. 

Call 0151 648 4371

Opening times: All year (car parks - 8am to dusk). 

Visitor centre: 10am to 5pm daily.  

Comments from the Visitor Record Book

Excellent visitor centre, could stay here all day! Very helpful and informative staff. (Newcastle-Under-Lyme)

Very nice centre with a friendly lady. Thanks (Brazil)

Nice to find somewhere to go for a walk, safe and away from traffic (Warrington)

The staff are so nice and everything is so clean and tidy. (Washington, USA)

Loved it. A very nice place for a picnic (Isle of Wight)

Lovely walks with wonderful view (Somerset)

Gorgeous views of Wales and good wind for a kite (Tennessee, USA)