W al

k &

C

ycl

e

SO

UT

H W

ES

T W

IR

RA

L

A pleasant walk along the coast and then inland
up through Dungeon Wood with its waterfalls
and ancient woodland. The rise in height to one
of the highest points Wirral near Oldfield Farm
gives magnificent views over the River Dee to
Wales before returning through Heswall Dales
to the shoreline. Why not take a picnic for a
detour to the Thurstaston Visitor Centre which
is part of the Wirral Country Park and make a
day of it.

Start: Banks Road, Heswall. (Sheldrakes Restaurant
situated at the end of Banks Road, where walkers are
welcome to use their facilities during their normal
opening hours. They are hoping to offer 3 other shorter
alternative walks available from the restaurant.
Distance: 4 - 5 miles, 2 - 6 hours, including a detour to
Thurstaston Visitor Centre.
Parking: Free large car park at the start/finish.
Buses and Trains: Bus stops are located within Lower
Heswall. Heswall Railway Station is just over
2 miles away.

Start at Banks Road Car Park and walk up Banks

Road with Sheldrakes and the coast behind you. When
Banks Road bends to the right, turn left into Broad Lane.

Continue along Broad Lane. Look out for wildlife in

the hedgerows and a variety of trees, wildflowers and birds.

When you see Target Road on the left you can, as an

alternative, follow this bridleway to the beach (sometimes
difficult at very high tides). (See picture below left). Other
than at high tide follow the beach a short distance to the
stream and then climb up the steps to point .

By continuing along Broad Lane: at the end of the

lane before the driveway of the large white house, go
through the gap next to the middle gate and walk to the
end of the field.

Turn left and go through a kissing gate, then a pinch

gap onto Heswall Fields. This area is owned by the National
Trust, and if you have brought a picnic it is a great place to
stop and enjoy the views. Listen for calls of the estuary birds
that feed along the shoreline particularly the ‘peep’ call of
Oystercatchers.

At the cliff top turn right and follow the cliff along

and then keeping the hedges on your left. Aim for the
National Trust sign in the far right hand corner of the
field, past the pond and walk up the path to meet the
Wirral Way. The first track is the cycle/bridle route but
take the next left onto the footpath of the Wirral Way.

Here you can carry on up the Wirral Way to

Thurstaston Visitor Centre, part of Wirral Country
Park, returning the same way, (an extra mile in total).
or

Take the path to Dungeon Wood on the right, onto

footpath 72. ‘Dungeon’ is Old English for wooded dell.

Follow the path

until you see a small
bridge on your left,
cross it and walk up
the steep steps, then
bear right along the
edge of the dell. Pass
the waterfall on your
right, the path then
crosses the stream
eventually meeting the
path that runs between
Thurstaston and
Heswall.

Turn right and follow the path to Oldfield Farm,

past the farm to Oldfield Road. This area has great
views over the Dee to Wales and is close to the highest
point in Wirral.

Walk along Oldfield Road until you reach the

entrance track to Heswall Dales on your right.

Walk down the track and follow it left. At the

Rangers House keep left to the information board.
Follow this permissive bridleway along its obvious
course turning right and then ever downwards to the
road known as Bushway, where you turn right along
this short cul-de-sac.

Turn left at the end of Bushway onto Pipers Lane,

then turn right into Delavor Road, over the bridge and
follow the road round to the right. This is Banks Road,
therefore follow it round to the left returning to the car
park, the coast and Sheldrakes.

WALK 3 Heswall Dales & Fields

Starting and finishing at Wirral Country Park,
this route follows the predominantly off road
Wirral Way to Parkgate where you can enjoy
views across the Gayton Sands Reserve to
North Wales.

Start: Wirral Way - at Wirral Country Park,
Station Road, Thurstaston
Distance: 7.5 miles

With the car park behind you, head off to the left

down the Wirral Way towards Heswall. This section of
the route continues for approximately 2 miles, off road
and is relatively flat for easy cycling. After which, the
Wirral Way trail comes to a brief end and it joins a
residential road, Davenport Road.

Continue along Davenport Road, past Bromley Close

and Station Road to where the road bends around to
the right at Riverbank Road. At this bend, you will see
a wooden signpost that directs you back onto the off
road section of the Wirral Way again.

The route continues along the Wirral Way and

through Heswall Golf Course for a little over a mile
where you will come to the junction with Boathouse
Lane. Boathouse Lane can be busy so extra care should
be taken here.

Make a right turn onto Boathouse Lane and follow

the road down towards The Parade. Again, The Parade
can be very busy with traffic, particularly on sunny
days so do take care. The parade has many eating
establishments along it and is a good place to rest
and enjoy the view.

Continuing along The Parade, you will pass Mostyn

House School and shortly after, the road bends around to
the left. Follow it around the bend and continue up Station

Road for about 0.3miles where you will see a sign on your
left that leads you back onto the Wirral Way.

Make a left turn off Station Road onto the Wirral Way

and head back on yourself towards Heswall again. This
section of the Wirral Way is often plagued by potholes so
be aware you may be in for a bumpy ride! If you want to
avoid this, you can of course head back along The Parade
to Boathouse Lane and rejoin the Wirral Way where you
left it earlier.

After about half a mile you will come to the junction

with Boathouse Lane. Cross the road and continue
straight on along the Wirral Way for the 3 miles
(approximately) back to Thurstaston.

CYCLE 1 South West Cycle Route

ww

w .v

isi

tw

irr

al.

co

m/

coa

st&

cou

ntr

ysi

de

Heswall

Banks

Road

Poll

Hill

Dungeon

Wood

Heswall

Dales

Local Nature

Reserve

Alternative route

sometimes difficult

at very high tides

Heswall Fields

(National Trust)

Tar

get

Rd

W

IR

R

A

L

W

A

Y

P

ip

er

s L

an

e

O

ld

fi

eld

W

ay

O

ld

fi

el

d

R

oa

d

Old

field

Drive

T

ele

g

ra

ph

R

oa

d

O

ld

fi

el

d

D

ri

ve

B

ro

ad

L

an

e

R

d

Bushway

to

Church Farm

&

Thurstaston

>

to

Thurstaston

Visitor Centre

>

T

ele

g

ra

p

h

R

d

T

h

ur

st

as

to

n

R

d

P

ip

er

s

L

an

e

Oldfield

Farm

Sheldrakes

Restaurant

White

House

stile &

pinch

gap

seat

seat

seat

steps

steps

bridge

bridge

seat waterfall

stile

stile

stile

gap

pinch

gap

pinch

gap

pinch

gap

pinch

gap

Dela

vor

Start & Finish

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

2a

B

R

39

BR

40

BW 31

FP71

FP

70

FP

7

0

FP32

BW 37

FP

34

FP

4

3

FP72

B

W

4

2

WALK 3 Heswall Dales & Fields map

CYCLE 1 South West Cycle Route map

The beach at the end of Target Road.

Dungeon Wood

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

2a

5

ST

AT

IO

N

R

O

A

D

ST

AT

IO

N

R

O

A

D

Slipw

ay

Access to

beach

Steps to

beach

Steps to

beach

Dungeon

Bridge

Station Road

Bridge

TE

LE

GR

AP

H R

OA

D

to West Kirby

<

to Heswall

<

Thurstaston

Tinkers

Dell

St Bartholomew’s

Church

Caldy

Golf Course

Dee Sailing

Club

Shore

Cottage

Cottage Loaf

Thurstaston

Centre

W

IR

R

A

L W

AY

W

IR

R

A

L W

AY

Dee Cliffs

Thurstaston Visitor Centre

Heswall

Poll

Hill

Dungeon

Wood

Heswall

Dales

Local Nature

Reserve

Heswall Fields

(National Trust)

W

IR

R

A

L

W

A

Y

P

ip

er

s L

an

e

O

ld

fi

eld

W

ay

O

ld

fi

el

d

R

oa

d

T

ele

g

ra

ph

R

oa

d

A

54

0

R

oa

d

to Thurstaston

>

Wirral

Country Park

& Thurstaston

Visitor Centre

T

ele

g

ra

p

h

R

d

T

h

ur

st

as

to

n

R

d

P

ip

er

s

L

an

e

Oldfield

Farm

Sheldrakes

Restaurant

White

House

Dela

vor

Station R

oad

Church

Farm

Tesco

Banks

Road

Seaban

k Road

Heswall

The

Beacons

Park We

st

D

av

en

p

o

rt

R

o

a

d

2

1

Start & Finish

W

Parkgate

Gayton

W

IR

R

A

L

W

A

Y

W

IR

R

A

L

W

A

Y

ACCESS TO
WIRRAL WAY

Golf Course

Golf Course

Backwood

Hall Farm

Playing

Field

The

Boathouse

Inn

Gayton Sands RSPB

Nature Reserve

Boathouse L

ane

Golf

Club

House

Boat

hous

e La

ne

windbl

own tre

es

Gayton

well

T

h

e

P

ar

ad

e

Bevyl Road

Brooklands Rd

Cott

age

Lan

e

W

ell

L

an

e

Gayton

Farm Road

Station R

oad

W

o

o

d

L

an

e

L

ei

g

h

to

n

R

o

ad

CY

CL

E

RO

UT

E

56

W

IR

R

A

L

W

A

Y

Seaban

k Road

Riverb

ank Ro

ad

Heswall

The

Beacons

Park We

s

D

av

en

p

o

rt

R

o

a

d

3

4

5

6

7

WIRRAL

CHESHIR

E WEST

& CHEST

ER

THURSTASTON VISITOR CENTRE

Map

Map 1

(North)

Map 2

(South)

Countryside code

From a gentle stroll or relaxing picnic to a long-
distance walk or heart-pumping adventure, the
countryside provides every opportunity for
enjoyment and relaxation.

If you follow the Countryside Code wherever you go,
you will get the best enjoyment possible and you will
help to protect the countryside now and for future
generations.

• Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs.
• Leave gates and property as you find them.
• Protect plants and animals, and take your

litter home.

• Keep dogs under close control.
• Consider other people.

Cycle safety

• Before each journey spend a few minutes

ensuring that your bike is in good working
order, paying particular attention to brakes,
tyres and the steering system.

• Wear bright clothing and a cycle helmet.

At night front and rear lights and a red rear
reflector are legally required and get you seen.

• When riding on roads always follow the

Highway Code.

© Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey 100019803. You are not permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form.

Suggested walk route

Footpath
Bridleway
Byway

Footpath
Bridleway
Cyclepath and part of Wirral Circula
Public rights of way number
Railway station
Residential
Country parks/public open spaces
Rivers/streams
Accessible ponds
Bus stops
Car park
Public houses
Cafe
Toilets
Kiosk
Viewpoint
Information
Picnic site
Church
Wirral Circular Trail
Wirral Council boundary

FP1

Public Rights of Way:

Permissive Routes:

KIOSK

Key

Suggested cycle route
Cyclepath
Railway station
Residential
Country parks/public open spaces
Rivers/streams
Accessible ponds
Car park
Public houses
Cafe
Toilets
Kiosk
Viewpoint
Information
Picnic site
Church
Wirral Circular Trail
Wirral Council boundary

KIOSK

Key

Wirral Country Park

© Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey 100019803. You are not permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form.

© Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey 100019803. You are not permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form.

Approx. 10-15 minutes walk

mile

0

½

Km

0

1

0.5

Approx. 10-15 minutes walk

mile

0

½

Km

0

1

0.5

Km

Approx. 10-15 minutes walk

mile

0

0

1

½

0.5

A

M53

WIRRAL

M53

WIRRAL

679Nov11SK

Du

ng

eon

W

ood

-

W al

k 3

W al

k &

C

ycl

e

SO

UT

H W

ES

T W

IR

RA

L

A pleasant walk along the coast and then inland
up through Dungeon Wood with its waterfalls
and ancient woodland. The rise in height to one
of the highest points Wirral near Oldfield Farm
gives magnificent views over the River Dee to
Wales before returning through Heswall Dales
to the shoreline. Why not take a picnic for a
detour to the Thurstaston Visitor Centre which
is part of the Wirral Country Park and make a
day of it.

Start: Banks Road, Heswall. (Sheldrakes Restaurant
situated at the end of Banks Road, where walkers are
welcome to use their facilities during their normal
opening hours. They are hoping to offer 3 other shorter
alternative walks available from the restaurant.
Distance: 4 - 5 miles, 2 - 6 hours, including a detour to
Thurstaston Visitor Centre.
Parking: Free large car park at the start/finish.
Buses and Trains: Bus stops are located within Lower
Heswall. Heswall Railway Station is just over
2 miles away.

Start at Banks Road Car Park and walk up Banks

Road with Sheldrakes and the coast behind you. When
Banks Road bends to the right, turn left into Broad Lane.

Continue along Broad Lane. Look out for wildlife in

the hedgerows and a variety of trees, wildflowers and birds.

When you see Target Road on the left you can, as an

alternative, follow this bridleway to the beach (sometimes
difficult at very high tides). (See picture below left). Other
than at high tide follow the beach a short distance to the
stream and then climb up the steps to point .

By continuing along Broad Lane: at the end of the

lane before the driveway of the large white house, go
through the gap next to the middle gate and walk to the
end of the field.

Turn left and go through a kissing gate, then a pinch

gap onto Heswall Fields. This area is owned by the National
Trust, and if you have brought a picnic it is a great place to
stop and enjoy the views. Listen for calls of the estuary birds
that feed along the shoreline particularly the ‘peep’ call of
Oystercatchers.

At the cliff top turn right and follow the cliff along

and then keeping the hedges on your left. Aim for the
National Trust sign in the far right hand corner of the
field, past the pond and walk up the path to meet the
Wirral Way. The first track is the cycle/bridle route but
take the next left onto the footpath of the Wirral Way.

Here you can carry on up the Wirral Way to

Thurstaston Visitor Centre, part of Wirral Country
Park, returning the same way, (an extra mile in total).
or

Take the path to Dungeon Wood on the right, onto

footpath 72. ‘Dungeon’ is Old English for wooded dell.

Follow the path

until you see a small
bridge on your left,
cross it and walk up
the steep steps, then
bear right along the
edge of the dell. Pass
the waterfall on your
right, the path then
crosses the stream
eventually meeting the
path that runs between
Thurstaston and
Heswall.

Turn right and follow the path to Oldfield Farm,

past the farm to Oldfield Road. This area has great
views over the Dee to Wales and is close to the highest
point in Wirral.

Walk along Oldfield Road until you reach the

entrance track to Heswall Dales on your right.

Walk down the track and follow it left. At the

Rangers House keep left to the information board.
Follow this permissive bridleway along its obvious
course turning right and then ever downwards to the
road known as Bushway, where you turn right along
this short cul-de-sac.

Turn left at the end of Bushway onto Pipers Lane,

then turn right into Delavor Road, over the bridge and
follow the road round to the right. This is Banks Road,
therefore follow it round to the left returning to the car
park, the coast and Sheldrakes.

WALK 3 Heswall Dales & Fields

Starting and finishing at Wirral Country Park,
this route follows the predominantly off road
Wirral Way to Parkgate where you can enjoy
views across the Gayton Sands Reserve to
North Wales.

Start: Wirral Way - at Wirral Country Park,
Station Road, Thurstaston
Distance: 7.5 miles

With the car park behind you, head off to the left

down the Wirral Way towards Heswall. This section of
the route continues for approximately 2 miles, off road
and is relatively flat for easy cycling. After which, the
Wirral Way trail comes to a brief end and it joins a
residential road, Davenport Road.

Continue along Davenport Road, past Bromley Close

and Station Road to where the road bends around to
the right at Riverbank Road. At this bend, you will see
a wooden signpost that directs you back onto the off
road section of the Wirral Way again.

The route continues along the Wirral Way and

through Heswall Golf Course for a little over a mile
where you will come to the junction with Boathouse
Lane. Boathouse Lane can be busy so extra care should
be taken here.

Make a right turn onto Boathouse Lane and follow

the road down towards The Parade. Again, The Parade
can be very busy with traffic, particularly on sunny
days so do take care. The parade has many eating
establishments along it and is a good place to rest
and enjoy the view.

Continuing along The Parade, you will pass Mostyn

House School and shortly after, the road bends around to
the left. Follow it around the bend and continue up Station

Road for about 0.3miles where you will see a sign on your
left that leads you back onto the Wirral Way.

Make a left turn off Station Road onto the Wirral Way

and head back on yourself towards Heswall again. This
section of the Wirral Way is often plagued by potholes so
be aware you may be in for a bumpy ride! If you want to
avoid this, you can of course head back along The Parade
to Boathouse Lane and rejoin the Wirral Way where you
left it earlier.

After about half a mile you will come to the junction

with Boathouse Lane. Cross the road and continue
straight on along the Wirral Way for the 3 miles
(approximately) back to Thurstaston.

CYCLE 1 South West Cycle Route

ww

w .v

isi

tw

irr

al.

co

m/

coa

st&

cou

ntr

ysi

de

Heswall

Banks

Road

Poll

Hill

Dungeon

Wood

Heswall

Dales

Local Nature

Reserve

Alternative route

sometimes difficult

at very high tides

Heswall Fields

(National Trust)

Tar

get

Rd

W

IR

R

A

L

W

A

Y

P

ip

er

s L

an

e

O

ld

fi

eld

W

ay

O

ld

fi

el

d

R

oa

d

Old

field

Drive

T

ele

g

ra

ph

R

oa

d

O

ld

fi

el

d

D

ri

ve

B

ro

ad

L

an

e

R

d

Bushway

to

Church Farm

&

Thurstaston

>

to

Thurstaston

Visitor Centre

>

T

ele

g

ra

p

h

R

d

T

h

ur

st

as

to

n

R

d

P

ip

er

s

L

an

e

Oldfield

Farm

Sheldrakes

Restaurant

White

House

stile &

pinch

gap

seat

seat

seat

steps

steps

bridge

bridge

seat waterfall

stile

stile

stile

gap

pinch

gap

pinch

gap

pinch

gap

pinch

gap

Dela

vor

Start & Finish

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

2a

B

R

39

BR

40

BW 31

FP71

FP

70

FP

7

0

FP32

BW 37

FP

34

FP

4

3

FP72

B

W

4

2

WALK 3 Heswall Dales & Fields map

CYCLE 1 South West Cycle Route map

The beach at the end of Target Road.

Dungeon Wood

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

2a

5

ST

AT

IO

N

R

O

A

D

ST

AT

IO

N

R

O

A

D

Slipw

ay

Access to

beach

Steps to

beach

Steps to

beach

Dungeon

Bridge

Station Road

Bridge

TE

LE

GR

AP

H R

OA

D

to West Kirby

<

to Heswall

<

Thurstaston

Tinkers

Dell

St Bartholomew’s

Church

Caldy

Golf Course

Dee Sailing

Club

Shore

Cottage

Cottage Loaf

Thurstaston

Centre

W

IR

R

A

L W

AY

W

IR

R

A

L W

AY

Dee Cliffs

Thurstaston Visitor Centre

Heswall

Poll

Hill

Dungeon

Wood

Heswall

Dales

Local Nature

Reserve

Heswall Fields

(National Trust)

W

IR

R

A

L

W

A

Y

P

ip

er

s L

an

e

O

ld

fi

eld

W

ay

O

ld

fi

el

d

R

oa

d

T

ele

g

ra

ph

R

oa

d

A

54

0

R

oa

d

to Thurstaston

>

Wirral

Country Park

& Thurstaston

Visitor Centre

T

ele

g

ra

p

h

R

d

T

h

ur

st

as

to

n

R

d

P

ip

er

s

L

an

e

Oldfield

Farm

Sheldrakes

Restaurant

White

House

Dela

vor

Station R

oad

Church

Farm

Tesco

Banks

Road

Seaban

k Road

Heswall

The

Beacons

Park We

st

D

av

en

p

o

rt

R

o

a

d

2

1

Start & Finish

W

Parkgate

Gayton

W

IR

R

A

L

W

A

Y

W

IR

R

A

L

W

A

Y

ACCESS TO
WIRRAL WAY

Golf Course

Golf Course

Backwood

Hall Farm

Playing

Field

The

Boathouse

Inn

Gayton Sands RSPB

Nature Reserve

Boathouse L

ane

Golf

Club

House

Boat

hous

e La

ne

windbl

own tre

es

Gayton

well

T

h

e

P

ar

ad

e

Bevyl Road

Brooklands Rd

Cott

age

Lan

e

W

ell

L

an

e

Gayton

Farm Road

Station R

oad

W

o

o

d

L

an

e

L

ei

g

h

to

n

R

o

ad

CY

CL

E

RO

UT

E

56

W

IR

R

A

L

W

A

Y

Seaban

k Road

Riverb

ank Ro

ad

Heswall

The

Beacons

Park We

s

D

av

en

p

o

rt

R

o

a

d

3

4

5

6

7

WIRRAL

CHESHIR

E WEST

& CHEST

ER

THURSTASTON VISITOR CENTRE

Map

Map 1

(North)

Map 2

(South)

Countryside code

From a gentle stroll or relaxing picnic to a long-
distance walk or heart-pumping adventure, the
countryside provides every opportunity for
enjoyment and relaxation.

If you follow the Countryside Code wherever you go,
you will get the best enjoyment possible and you will
help to protect the countryside now and for future
generations.

• Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs.
• Leave gates and property as you find them.
• Protect plants and animals, and take your

litter home.

• Keep dogs under close control.
• Consider other people.

Cycle safety

• Before each journey spend a few minutes

ensuring that your bike is in good working
order, paying particular attention to brakes,
tyres and the steering system.

• Wear bright clothing and a cycle helmet.

At night front and rear lights and a red rear
reflector are legally required and get you seen.

• When riding on roads always follow the

Highway Code.

© Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey 100019803. You are not permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form.

Suggested walk route

Footpath
Bridleway
Byway

Footpath
Bridleway
Cyclepath and part of Wirral Circula
Public rights of way number
Railway station
Residential
Country parks/public open spaces
Rivers/streams
Accessible ponds
Bus stops
Car park
Public houses
Cafe
Toilets
Kiosk
Viewpoint
Information
Picnic site
Church
Wirral Circular Trail
Wirral Council boundary

FP1

Public Rights of Way:

Permissive Routes:

KIOSK

Key

Suggested cycle route
Cyclepath
Railway station
Residential
Country parks/public open spaces
Rivers/streams
Accessible ponds
Car park
Public houses
Cafe
Toilets
Kiosk
Viewpoint
Information
Picnic site
Church
Wirral Circular Trail
Wirral Council boundary

KIOSK

Key

Wirral Country Park

© Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey 100019803. You are not permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form.

© Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey 100019803. You are not permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form.

Approx. 10-15 minutes walk

mile

0

½

Km

0

1

0.5

Approx. 10-15 minutes walk

mile

0

½

Km

0

1

0.5

Km

Approx. 10-15 minutes walk

mile

0

0

1

½

0.5

A

M53

WIRRAL

M53

WIRRAL

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