Beaches in Wirral

Wirral beaches are a thing of beauty, and being located on a peninsula, we have a few to choose from!

Our sandy beaches offer a great place for a family day out, or a peaceful stroll. They’re incredibly popular with those who have a passion for outdoor sports, and if you’re hoping to catch some of Wirral’s incredible sunsets, then our beaches are perfect locations to do so.  The sunsets are some of the best in the country, and a real favourite with photographers.

Four of Wirral's beaches have previously received the highest 'Excellent' rating from the Good Beach Guide on water quality, and Wallasey has been rated as a Blue Flag beach, a designation given to beaches that meet certain standards for water quality, environmental management, and safety.

The annual guide published by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) recognised Meols, Moreton, Wallasey and West Kirby with the guide’s highest accolade.  A further four Wirral beaches – New Brighton, Leasowe, Thurstaston and Red Rocks at Hoylake have all been assessed previously as meeting mandatory standards.

Here’s a run-down of what to expect from Wirral’s beaches.

Meols

Meols beach is sandy and offers both parking and toilets. Just off the A553 to Hoylake, and served by local buses, Meols beach also has local shops and cafes nearby if you need to stock-up for your trip to the seaside.

Horse riding and sand buggying are popular at certain times of the year at Meols, but be sure to check weather and tide times. Meols beach is also popular during the winter for coastal birdwatching.

The four-mile-long North Wirral Coastal Park is next to the beach and adjacent to the sea embankment.

Moreton

Moreton beach is a really popular one with both locals and visitors to the area. Another sandy beach, it’s located next to Leasowe Common within the North Wirral Coastal Park. The common is used for picnicking, ball games and kite flying when the tide is in.

The adjacent four-mile-long North Wirral Coastal Park provides an opportunity to discover grassland, reedbed and sand dune habitats. Winter birdwatching is also popular here.

West Kirby

The beach at West Kirby is just 300 metres long, but is always busy when the sun and the tide are out. This busy little beach lies between a kilometre of sand dunes and a further 2 kilometres of vast sand flats which are exposed at low water – it’s also the beach from which you can walk to Hilbre Island.

When tides and weather allow, West Kirby beach is a great one from which to walk to Hoylake, and if you’re feeling energetic, to Meols and beyond.  The beach is also next to the popular West Kirby Marine Lake which is one of the best facilities of its kind in the North West.

West Kirby beach has access straight from the pavement onto the beach, and facilities include:

  • Ice cream and coffee shops
  • Toilet facilities
  • Lifeguards
  • Hilbre Island Local Nature Reserve located a kilometre off shore and accessible on foot at low water. (It is essential to check the tide times and recommended safe crossing route before walking across to the islands).
  • Watersports
  • Free parking & pay and display car park West Kirby has a number of bars, cafes, sandwich shops and a large supermarket.

Wallasey Beach

This sandy beach, with views across Liverpool Bay, is part of the North Wirral Coastal Park, a four-mile stretch of coast, with sand dunes and nature reserves.

Adjacent to the beach is a pitch and putt course and the Derby Pool family public house. Access is via the A554 from junction 1 on the M53 and Grove railway station in Wallasey is a 12 minute walk. Parking is available next to the beach.

Red Rocks

Red Rocks beach is a large, sandy beach with a very shallow bay and a sandstone outcrop, overlooking Hilbre Island. It’s very popular with families and is an important site for its records of migrant birds, with high numbers of Redwing, Fieldfare, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Siskin, Brambling, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Snow Bunting and Willow Warbler. Altogether over 200 species of birds have been recorded with up to 170 species sighted in one year.

It's also a breeding ground for the endangered Natterjack Toad.

New Brighton

This historic coastal town boasts many amenities for a traditional family day at the seaside, not least the sandy New Brighton beach with a lighthouse and a Fort called Fort Perch Rock. There is also a theatre, restaurants, accommodation, a casino and a cinema, plus activities for children. Read more.

Thurstaston

Thurstaston Common and the Wirral Country Park overlook Thurstaston Beach, which is a sandy beach along the Dee Estuary. There is also a visitor centre, while the Wirral Way runs close-by, making it a perfect stop-off for those on a longer walk.

Leasowe

At the heart of the North Wirral Coastal Park, not far from Moreton Train Station and with plenty of free car parking, Leasowe beach is always popular. It has both toilets and a nearby café, while Moreton Beach is found adjacent and is manned by Lifeguards during the summer months.

Nearby is the historic Leasowe Lighthouse, the oldest brick-built lighthouse in the country. (Open 1st and 3rd Sundays in the month in the afternoons).

Wirral's Bathing Waters

Wirral has four designated bathing waters; West Kirby, Meols, Moreton and Wallasey. For more information on water quality call Pollution Control on (0151) 666 4932.

For tide times click here or call Wirral Country Park on 0151 648 4371 (However, the centre is not staffed all day)

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