Travel Tips

Hilbre is the largest of 4 islands off West Kirby - Tanskey Rocks to your left are barely visible - and is home to much wildlife. To reach Hilbre Island start at the slipway near the north end of West Kirby Marine Lake. The distance is about 4 miles (note no refreshments are available on the island). Plan your visit around the tide times as Hilbre is cut off for several hours per day. The notice board by the slipway gives full tide information or phone Wirral Country Park Visitor Centre on 0151 648 4371.

Don't walk directly to Hilbre as the sand is unsafe - walk towards the left hand island called LITTLE EYE. When you reach Little Eye turn right way towards MIDDLE EYE.

The rocks are a glorious red colour with amazing striations cut into them over the years.

Middle Eye has lovely grassy paths which you can reach from steps on the right-hand side next to a wave-cut arch in the rocks. On the left-hand side is Smuggler's Cove. The islands were said to be the haunt of smugglers and wreckers long ago. Continue to Hilbe Island itself, passing many rock pools, to a path on left-hand side of the cliff. On Hilbre the legend of Lady's Cave is where a dying girl was cast up after throwing herself from a ship to avoid an arranged marriage.

Footprints of a prehistoric reptile called CHEIROTHERIUM have been found on Hilbre. Today though you can see grey seals around the islands on the sandbanks in the distance. The generator (mound of grass with a low brick chimney) used to power lights during world war II, making Hilbre look like a ship and thus attracted german bombers away from Wirral and Liverpool.

You will need some binoculars to see the seals basking on the sand banks or a camera with a BIG zoom!