Attractions and Places To See around Whitford - Top 20

Just found this. Excellent illustration of why you should pay attention to tide times, stick to the advised route and not take shortcuts. https://source.rnli.org.uk/share/CFB0B7E7-BC63-45C2-82D0F553BCCEA397/?fbclid=IwdGRjcASANHBjbGNrBIA0QGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHuUkzjggvSxUyRKflngRK0O2fpur4j1VoeGxHoAq7xZFvEO4ECU-ce1vEz45_aem_YWdncwBwrx9zPbXLbKK3pPYV4ofH&brid=YWdncwEpfE2M_KNMw79W7pNqlxBe&viewType=grid

Update on Amenities: There are now two composting toilets on Hilbre Island.

A nice little stop with the pooch and I both getting an ice-cream, plenty of seating outside in a big garden right next to the waterfall

handy car park for the climb up moel Arthur and to walk a piece of the offas dyke path

As Dave has pointed out it is absolutely necessary to check out the tide times. Rule of thumb is that you must start your return journey frim Hilbre Island at least three hours before high tide. Please check with the RNLI Life Guards before you set off. They are very helpful and have expert knowledge of the area, the route and the tides.

Hilbre Island is the last and largest island of three that you come to in the Hilbre Island archipelago in the River Dee estuary. Covering 11.5 acres. There aren't any amenities on the island - no toilets, no refreshments - so bring a picnic and cross your legs 😁 However, I found the island to be very 'atmospheric' for some reason and for want of a better word. Don't be tempted to take what appears to be a much shorter route from Hoylake - there be shifting and muddy 'sands'. The safe route from West Kirby is marked out by RNLI Life Guards who use their 4x4 vehicles to mark the path with their tyre tracks shortly after low tide. If you venture off the path you will go from clean, firn, compacted sand to sand covered with a slimy, slippery coating of mud. You can find a good history of the islands on Wikipedia here; https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hilbre_Islands

Watersports are popular here but windsurfers and kite surfers are asked not to come within 100 metres of the tide line to allow bathers to safely enjoy the clean waters. There is free parking along the nearby promenade along the length of the marine lake and a pay and display car park closer to the beach at Dee Lane. West Kirby has a number of bars, cafes, sandwich shops and a large supermarket. Please note: West Kirby Beach is within the West Kirby ‘No Alcohol Zone’ and alcohol taken onto the beach will be confiscated by the police.

This busy little beach is only 300 metres long but it lies between a kilometre of sand dunes and a further 2 kilometres of vast sand flats exposed at low water towards Hoylake and the popular marine lake which is one of the best facilities of its kind in the North West. Easy flat access straight from the pavement onto the beach is important for some visitors and ice cream and coffee shops as well as toilet facilities are only a few metres away from the main entrance at the end of Dee Lane. Lifeguards in their distinctive red and yellow uniforms patrol the beach and the tide line as far out as the 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).