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South WirralThis section of the Circular Trail joins South WestWirral at Parkgate to South East Wirral at Easthamand in doing so crosses the boundary of WirralBorough and into Cheshire West & Chester.

By remaining on the Wirral Way within the WirralCountry Park the route passes through the westernand southern parts of the town of Neston.

The route leaves Neston through a long sandstonecutting, created for the railway line and thencontinues across the tranquil rural farmlandof northern Cheshire.

Parkgate Parade.

45

Next stop is Hadlow Road Station adjacent to theattractive village of Willaston with all its facilities.

The Wirral Country Park extends to Hooton where it meets the Chester to Liverpool main line railway.

The route of the Circular Trail splits into awalking and cycling route to go under the M53.The two routes rejoin in the historic village ofEastham and then leads onto Eastham CountryPark, adjacent to the start of the Manchester Ship Canal.

46

South Wirral

Parkgate - Neston

Neston

The historic market town ofNeston nestles in the Cheshirecountryside and it tranquilappearance, with it is manyinteresting buildings, belies its long and strategicallyimportant history. With its

evidence of Viking settlements in pre-Norman times andits significant record in the Domesday book of 1085, thereis much to see in the town. The sandstone church situatedin the centre of the town dates back in part to the 14thcentury and contains many treasures. Today, Neston is still retains it market town flavourwith weekly Friday markets and monthly farmers’ markets.

3

Parkgate

Parkgate’s name originatedfrom Neston Park, where deerwere hunted in the MiddleAges. But the village onlygrew here from the 1600s aspeople began to earn theirliving from the sea. At first

Parkgate was a ships’ anchorage, later becoming a majorpassenger port between England and Dublin. Where younow see saltmarsh, grand sailing ships with up to threemasts once anchored. The village also became a sea-bathing resort where it was fashionable to parade alongthe seafront. Parkgate’s fishing industry and popularity as a seasideresort declined in the 20th century due to the recedingtides. But even now the waters still occasionally cross theRSPB owned saltmarsh to remind us of the village’sorigins, and visitors still come for Parkgate’s character,wildlife and views…and, of course, the ice cream!

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47

The Old Baths, Parkgate

Parkgate Baths were created as a naturally recharging seawater baths in 1923 by Mr A.G. Grenfell, the Headmaster of Mostyn School. Initially, the baths were created for useby the pupils of the school but

were later opened to the paying public. As the Dee estuary gradually silted up and the marshspread, water had to be pumped over greater distances until eventually it became uneconomic and impractical tocontinue. The baths finally closed at the end of the SecondWorld War and the old bath house was demolished. The site is now a picnic area which is a prime spot forbirdwatching, as it offers fantastic views across the DeeEstuary Salt Marsh, which is a Site of Special ScientificInterest (SSSI), to the Welsh coast and the Clwydian hills beyond.

2

Ness Botanic Gardens

Ness Botanic Gardens wasborn of one man's passionateinterest in plants and his desireto share that interest withothers. When the Liverpoolcotton merchant, Arthur KilpinBulley, began to create a garden

in 1898, part of which he opened to local residents, he laidthe foundations of one of the major botanic gardens in theUnited Kingdom. Overlooking the Dee Estuary, thegardens contain the finest collection of rhododendrons andazaleas in the North-West, plus one of the best-knownheather gardens in Britain and an outstanding collection ofHimalayan and Chinese plants. The gardens can also boasta magnificent herbaceous border, specimen shrubs and aherb garden containing all the major culinary herbs.

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48

Anti-clockwise:Parkgate - Neston

Follow the Wirral Way. At the wooden bridgeyou can turn along the track into Parkgate. Otherwisecontinue to the main road. Turn right onto Station Rd.Pass Rope Walk on your right. Turn left into the car parkand onto the Wirral Way. You can stay on the main roadinto Parkgate. The Wirral Way has options to visit theOld Quay of Neston or explore Neston town centre. Passover the Millennium Bridge and into the car park.

From the car park in Station Rd, pass under therailway bridge, go along Station Rd which forms part ofthe Wirral Way, beware of motor vehicles also using thisparticular section, passing Stanney Fields Park on yourleft. At the end of Station Rd cross over Bushell Rd andMellock Lane straight over onto the Wirral Way track,which then continues along and through a deep cuttingand then up through the sandstone bedrock. Pass LeesLane picnic area on your left and take care on the narrowwooden footbridge, and then under the subway of the A540.

South Wirral

Parkgate - Neston

27

26

25

the parade

boat

house

lane

the rope walk

parkgate road

station rd

old quay lane

liverpool rd

rd

burton

NCN

Route 56

River Dee

StanneyFie

millenniumbridge

statio

3

woodenbridge

br

Neston

Parkgate

NestonStation

H

1

2

25 -27

27 - 28

© Crown copyright and database rights 2011. Ordnance Survey 100019803.

49

A540

A540

chester road

d

lees lane

road

hinderton

rd

quarry road

NCN Route 56

StanneyFields

bushellroad

station rd

subway

bridge

picnicarea

estonation

H

4 28To Ness BotanicGardens

mellocklane

Clockwise: Neston - Parkgate

From the subway of the A540, continue alongthe Wirral Way taking care at the narrow wooden bridge.Shortly after the Lees Lane picnic area the route drops downinto a deep cutting, follow this until you reach the end of thetrack. At the junction with the main road where Bushell Rdbecomes Mellock Lane, cross over into Station Rd. TheWirral Way follows Station Rd for about half a mile keepingStanney Fields Park on your right. Pass under the railwaybridge and pass the car park on your left and then turnimmediately left onto the Wirral Way.

Cross over the Millennium Bridge and continuealong the Wirral Way. There are options to visit the OldQuay of Neston or explore the nearby town centre. Whenyou get to the car park you can turn left which leads toParkgate Parade. The route, however, turns right passingRope Walk on your left, and shortly after you turn left ontothe Wirral Way. At the wooden bridge you can turn left alonga track that will take you straight into Parkgate Parade.

Anti-clockwise

Clockwise

28 - 27

27 - 25

50

South Wirral

Willaston - Hooton

The Walls of the Rock Cutting

The walls of the rock cuttingin Neston still bear pick axemarks from when it was dug by the navigators who built therailway line. The shady cuttingprovides a good habitat for

mosses and ferns as ground water seeps through theporous sandstone. The cutting is a Regionally ImportantGeological Site (RIGS) and the walls show the rippledsediments in the sandstone known as ‘current bedding’.

1

Willaston Village

Willaston Village is anattractive village and thehistory of the village shows it has been an importantagriculture settlement for over a thousand years. Tracesof its importance as a farming

community can be seen in the buildings around the villagegreen which include several former farmhouses.

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Wirral Country Park, Hooton to Neston section.

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Hooton end of Wirral Country Park

The Hooton end of the CountryPark is home to a colony ofglow worms. These unusualbeetles are very much in declineand the colony is one of only ahandful left in Cheshire.

Hadlow Road Railway Station

Hadlow Road Station inWillaston is the only stationbuilding left along the line,apart from the operationalstations of West Kirby andHooton. The station was built

in 1866 and is designated as a Grade II Listed Building. To visit the ticket office is to step back in time, as it is kept as it would have looked when the trains were inoperation. It looks as though the ticket clerk has juststepped out for a moment.

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2

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Anti-clockwise: Willaston - Hooton

From the subway under the Chester High RdA540 follow the Wirral Way until you come to HadlowRoad Station. The village of Willaston is along on yourleft. Pass the old platform and station on your left, andcontinue on, eventually passing under the Heath Lanebridge and onto Hooton Railway Station which is wherethe Wirral Way and Wirral Country Park terminates.

Although walking and cycling is permitted to Hooton,horses are not able to go past Heath Lane on the WirralWay. The National Cycle Network Route 56 turns rightat Heath Lane which continues south onto Chester.

South Wirral

Willaston - Hooton

B5133

A540

mill lane

milllane

birkenhead road

damhead lane

neston road

subway

Hadlow Roadrailway station

2

3

1

28

Anti-clockwise

Clockwise

© Crown copyright and database rights 2011. Ordnance Survey 100019803.

28 - 29

53

5133

B5133

heath la

ne

heath lane

National Cycle Network Route 56

NCN

Route 56

HOOTON ROADbenty

heathlane

bridge

dalehey

Willaston

Hooton

n

HootonStation

N

429

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Clockwise:Hooton - Willaston

Having entered the Wirral Way and WirralCountry Park from Hooton Rd, follow this track along in the direction of Willaston.

Although walking and cycling is permitted from Hooton,horses are then allowed from Heath Lane and westwardstowards Neston. NCN Route 56 turns left at Heath Lanewhich continues south onto Chester. Continue on underHeath Lane railway bridge to the old Hadlow Roadrailway station. At the main Hadlow Rd crossing, thepicturesque village Willaston and all its facilities areavailable on the right. Otherwise continue along theWirral Way and pass under the Chester High Rd A540subway towards Neston.

29 - 28

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South Wirral

Hooton - Eastham Village

Hooton

Hooton is a small settlement atthe start of the A550 which isthe main road to Chester andNorth Wales from the A41, just south of the M53. Via theHooton Road (the B5133 toWillaston) is Hooton Station

for the Liverpool and Chester mainline railway. Alongsidethe station is the old railway line that now forms theWirral Country Park route to Neston and West Kirby.

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Eastham Village

Discover the ancient Church ofSt Mary’s, the war memorialand village cross, and meanderthrough the twists and turns ofthis medieval village. Stop tomarvel at the 1,500 year oldyew tree in the churchyard

before continuing on to explore the Victorian buildings ofthis conservation area, many of which are Grade II listed.

3

Eastham Village.

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St Mary’s Church

Built in 1152AD, St Mary’s isthe beautiful church at the heartof Eastham Village, mentionedas ‘Estham’ in the DomesdayBook. Take time to admire theancient building, with its broachspire, stunning stained glass

windows by Kempe and the churchyard with its lych gateand ancient yew trees.

War Memorial

The cross located on theChurch side of the warmemorial in the picture dates back to 1891. The warmemorial itself is to honourthose that lost their lives in the Great European War

between August 1914 - November 1918.

2

4

56

South Wirral

Hooton - Eastham Village

B5133

A550J5

M53

heath la

ne

heath lane

heath lane

M53

VIL

LA

GE R

OA

D

A41

new chester road

LOW

FIELDS AVE.

NCN

Route 56

HOOTON ROAD

benty

heathlane

bridge

eastham rake

dalehey

stanleylane

underpass

warmemorial

THORNLEIGH

AVE.

CROST

HW

AIT

E

AVE.

eastham

rake

MIL

L PARK

DRIV

E

EA

STH

AM

Tesco

kingsleyave.

norleyave.

Hooton

Eastham

Eastham RakeStation

HootonStation

N

3

1

24

31

29

30

Anti-clockwise

Clockwise

© Crown copyright and database rights 2011. Ordnance Survey 100019803.

57

Anti-clockwise:Hooton - Eastham Village

From Hooton Station it is necessary for walkers andcyclists to take a separate route.

Walkers: From the Hooton Rd railway bridge at thestart of the Wirral Country Park/Wirral Way, with HootonRailway Station to your right, turn right along the HootonRd for a short distance until you get to Dale Hey on your left.Turn left into Dale Hey and go to the end, then turn right onto the footpath. Follow this footpath along and through theline of trees until you reach the field. Enter the field and veerleft in between some newly laid out copses and continue tothe underpass under the M53. On exiting the underpass, follow the path to the roadwhere you turn right and follow the road keeping the houseson the left and the fields on the right. Follow the hedge linealong across the open space with the playground until theroad turns left into Thornleigh Avenue and then right intoCrosthwaite Avenue. Follow this around until it goes into Mill Park Drive and up to the junction with Eastham Rake at Tesco’s. Turn right to the main traffic lighted junction with the A41.

Cyclists: From the Hooton Rd railway bridge at thestart of the Wirral Country Park/Wirral Way, with HootonRailway Station to your right, turn left along the HootonRd. At the first main junction on the right turn right intoBenty Heath Lane. Continue along and turn right intoEastham Rake and follow this road under the M53 passingEastham Rake Railway Station on your left. Continue alonguntil you reach the main traffic lighted junction with theA41. All cyclists must take care along this road section.

Both walkers and cyclists continue over the A41crossroads and go straight on towards Eastham Village.Follow Stanley Lane to the War Memorial where you forkleft and then immediate right in Eastham Village intoFerry Rd, following the signs for Eastham Country Park.

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29 - 31

29

31

58

South Wirral

Hooton - Eastham Village

Clockwise:Eastham Village - HootonOn entering Eastham Village turn left from Ferry Rd intoEastham Village Rd and then almost immediately right infront of and keeping to the right of the Great EuropeanWar Memorial and continue past St Mary’s Parish Churchon your left. Continue along and cross the traffic-lightedjunction with the A41.

Walkers: In front of the Tesco store, walkers turn leftinto Mill Park Drive, left into Crosthwaite Avenue and leftagain into Thornleigh Avenue. Following the road aroundto the right keeping the fields on the left. Continue over thegrass area (with the playground on the right) into KingsleyAvenue with the woods and fields on the left.

The M53 can be seen ahead and as Kingsley Avenue veersright. The route turns immediate left into LowfieldsAvenue. Follow that round to the right and then turn leftonto the public footpath under the M53 subway oppositeNorley Avenue. (To access Eastham Rake Station, continuestraight on, keeping the woodland on your left until youcome to the main road. Turn left and Eastham Rake Stationis on the right).

31

Lowfields Woods next to the M53.

59

After the underpass, fork left across the field between the fenced areas of new woodland. Keep left of the gatedfield and climb the stile to follow the footpath through to the woods. The path turns right and then left out into Dale Hey.

Walk to the end of Dale Hey and turn right at the main road, past the Hooton pub and Hooton Station is on the left.

Cross over this busy road on the bridge over therailway line, and take the path signposted to the WirralCountry Park/Wirral Way, immediately after the bridge on the left.

Cyclists: Continue straight on, passing the Tescostore on the left. Follow the road named Eastham Rakepast Eastham Rake Station on the right to the end ofEastham Rake. Turn left into Benty Heath Lane towardsHooton, and then soon after turn left into Hooton Rd. The route turns right into Wirral Country Park/WirralWay just before the railway bridge at Hooton Station.

All cyclists must take care along this road section.

30

29

31 - 29