Hoylake Off The Beaten Path Tips by sandysmith

Leasowe Lighthousse

Here's a view of the front of the lighthouse -must be terrific views of the Dee Estuary from the top. They even have a webcam now so you too can see the view. Just check out the link below.

Sea Embankment

OK enough detours - we're supposed to be heading for New Brighton :-)
The coastal path and embankment, the sea defence continues past the lighthouse on the way to New Brighton.

Beyond the lighthouse

When you have finished visiting the lighthouse make another short detour by carrying on the path going behind the lighthouse, pass some farms and you will come to some more small lakes which are often frequented by anglers....but I come up here to get a lovely reflection of the lighthouse! I think this is my favourite picture of it too ;-)

Into the fields....

A detour from the coast embankment path near the leasowe lighthouse takes you into some fields where you will discover some small ponds where you can observe local wildlife and many birds.

Approaching Leasowe

A short distance from Meols (approx 15 minute walk) a light house can be seen at Leasowe in nearby fields just the other side of the embankment path following the coast.

Ellesmere Port lighthouse

The final lighthouse (situated in South Wirral area) is located at Whitby Locks, Ellesmere Port. This light guided boats into the Shropshire Union Canal's dock complex (now the Boat Museum) from the River Mersey. It was designed and built by Thomas Telford, the renowned canal and civil engineer, in 1829. It operated successfully until the Manchester Ship Canal reached Ellesmere Port in 1891. The Ship Canal cut off the direct access to the Mersey at Ellesmere Port (although access locks were built opposite the dock entrance) and the lighthouse became redundant. It is now a listed building and is situated on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal adjacent to the Boat Museum's lower basin.
More pics and info of the boat museum - worth a visit in its own right - can be found on my Ellesmere Port page.

Bidston Lighthouse

Whilst on the subject of lighthouses here's some info on Bidston lighthouse which replaced the storm swept Lower Leasowe lighthouse.

An Act of Parliament had to be obtained for Bidston lighthouse as it is 2 miles inland. The light was installed in an octagonal stone tower 22 metres high and was built in 1771. This tower was replace by a more modern building in 1872 which was equipped with a powerful"Dioptic" light and last shone 9th October 1913.
More pics and info on my Bidston page.

New Brighton Promenade

The promenade, often a popular place for anglers too, leads right up to a lighthouse an fortress in New Brighton. Its a pleasant walk, here we are just passing a small marina (not as large as West Kirby one) with the fortress coming into view. In the distance Liverpool can be seen.

Perch Rock Lighthouse

Perch Rock Lighthouse was designed by John Foster and was based on John Smeaton's Eddystone Lighthouse of 1756. The foundation stone was laid on 8th June 1827 and took 3 years to complete. The lamp was of the revolving kind, and first shone on the 1st March 1830. The lamp last shone on the 1st October 1973, a victim of modern navigation technology. The Lighthouse was bought by Mr. Norman Kingham (who also bought the fort) for a nominal sum, on the condition he maintained the building.

It has even been used a s honeymoon suite.
Here the lighthouse can be seen when the tide is in - must be interesting carrrying the bride over the threshold as a ladder is needed to reach up to the first of the 15 iron rungs (when the tide is out too) built in to the side of the tower, these then lead up to the door!

New Brighton Lighhouse

The Lighthouse at New Brighton ( known as the Perch Rock Lighthouse) is situated where the Mersey Estuary opens out into Liverpool Bay. Formerly a wooden perch was built on the rock, a serious navigational hazard, by the city of Liverpool, in 1683. Ships that passed the perch were charged 6old pennies for maintenance costs, which were high in this case, the perch often being washed away by gales.

The modern wind machines in the background make for a great comparison of old and new technology.