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Wasn't sure what to expect as I imagined the Wirral was some sort of superb of Liverpool. We were therefore very pleasently surprised by the countryside as we drove closer to the site. Undoubtably the Wirral is built up in places, but tends to be on the northern side. The south side, where the site is, is very much quieter and has small towns and villages. The M53 takes you most of the way and the subsequent A roads are fine for towing. Finally the Dee hoves into view and you are nearly there. Drive past the static site (which is privately owned non residential holiday homes) and the site is on the left. Drive carefully over the speed bumps some are quite vicious. Due to the previous weeks heavy rainfall, most of the grass pitches were out of use and as we were staying for two weeks it was a hardstanding for us. Not too much choice and most of the best pitches had gone. As we have dogs and there is no on site dog walk, we elected to be close to the site entrance for those early morning ablutions (for the dogs I mean). The site could do with a bit of a tidy up and is looking a bit tired, but is clean and well looked after in the normal CC fashion. The wardens were very nice and friendly particularly the chief warden who is very much a dog lover (he has two) and may not know your name but he will certainly know your dogs before many days! There is only one toilet block, which only has 4 showers each in the ladies and gents, so there could be queues, but we didn't experience any when we there and the site got pretty full at weekends. The site is a magnate for weekenders probably from Liverpool and nearby, so expect alot more noise from children and dogs, but during the week its a quiet peaceful place. Far enough away from the main roads not to be a problem, but there will be plane noises at any time day or night coming into land at John Lennon airport. Also the lane past the site leads down to a small car park, sailing club and landing stage. There is a cockle picking industry so there will be vehicle noise sometimes at night depending on the tides. Otherwise its birds singing, or the haunting calls of Curlew and Oyster Catchers.Whilst we were there the weather was very good with light winds, but it can be very windy and in July many awnings were lost and poles bent even in the sheltered areas. There are only a few pitches that overlook the Dee and you are lucky to get one. You may have to watch and wait for someone to pack up and go and make a dash for it before the rest of the campers do! Its worth it as the view is beautiful especially at night when the north coast of Wales twinkles with what looks like fairy lights. There is also a rather nice childrens play area which had some interesting games as well as the usual climbing frames.
What to do? Well it depends what you like. We like birdwatching (brilliant), Walking, goods walks in the area but very good from the site as the Wirral Way Country Park runs right past the site, so its West Kirby one way or miles and miles the other. The Visitors Centre about a half mile stroll is very good and well worth a visit. The lady on the desk was very helpful. Parkgate further along the Dee is well worth a visit. The Boathouse Inn at one end has very tasty food, but the Old Quay carvery at the other end has a very acceptable carvery for only £3.50 each. A bit of a 'Gobble and Go' but plenty of food and tastes great. The car parks on the Wirral Way all appear to be free and there are many circular walks to be had. The info room at the site has a book of walks and a 20p charge will get a photocopy.
Our son lives in Liverpool with his girlfriend, so we took the opportunity to see them and their flat on the old docks overlooking the Mersey Not far from the Liver Building so we saw the Liver Birds. I flatly refused to drive anywhere near the place, and we did have a bit of fun trying to find the place as the sat nav was of no use whatsoever, but at least we can say we've been through the Mersey Tunnel (£1.40 one way).

Would we go to the site again. Yes probably in a couple of years time. The birdwatching was good and we saw lots of different ducks and waders. Our two big spots was a Peregrine Falcon diving into packed ranks of Dunlins time and time again trying to grab one and at the RSPB reserve at Parkgate there was a young Cuckoo quite happily sitting on a post with a group of birders within 20 feet of it taking photos. Here are some piccies

A couple of more piccies over the Dee

Well done Gill,

Great report and pics.

Thanks

Guest

Those two evening pics are wonderful Gill. Seeing the peregrine falcon would have made my day - and I've never seen a cuckoo!

And a carvery meal for £3.50 each........!! Shocked

Forgot to say. There is a Tesco's at Heswall which is about 3 miles away and you will probably pass it as you drive to the site and there are a couple of local farm shops.

The Wirral Way is great for cyclists as well as walkers and even horse riders. The trail is split into two with a fairly wide hardcore surface for the walkers and cyclists and a separate trail for horse riders running alongside. There are notices all along the cyclist/walking track that cyclists must give way to walkers, but that is quite often ignored and you will need to keep an eye open for cyclists coming rather quietly up from behind. We took to walking along the horse track as it wasn't heavily used and horses tend to give more warning of their approach, only to be comfronted by a cyclist on the horse track! So if you're a keen cyclist on the bike track do give way to walkers or a least let them know of your approach. One of my dogs tends to bark at bikes and when one cyclist literally crept up behind us I wasn't able to control Jodi in time (she was on an extending lead) so the cyclist got thoroughly barked at much to his alarm.

soozeeg wrote

and I've never seen someone who is cuckoo! Shocked

Have you tried using a mirror, lover Question

Guest

What's with the fascination all you guys have with changing my posts.........?? Shocked

Gill did you have a filter on the camera lens or was that the colour of the sun ?

What a fabulous sounding place, like you i would have thought of
the wirral as being totally different to how you described it.
(what a shame it is a CC site wont be going therefore).
We are C&cc.

wee jock wrote

Gill did you have a filter on the camera lens or was that the colour of the sun ?

No filter, just late in the evening with poor light. Exactly as my eyes saw the sunset!! Laughing

Oh and whilst I was taking the photos, along with with a number of others, 3 lassies of about 13/14 with strong scouse accents wandered over and talked amongst themselves. One asked what was everyone taking pictures of. Another said The sun. What for, said the first. Cos its a sunrise said the third.

So you knew you were near Liverpool then Laughing

We have been to Wirral CC site, and we can say it really is a nice place to be. Wouldn't mind being there now Crying or Very sad

Got to work.
Ian

sounds lovely. one of my pups lives up there how nice.

jo

Newbie Joined: 12 Jun 2009 Last Visit: Today Posts: 9

We popped in her last year whilst staying a Chester and the site looked lovely and in a nice area on the wirral.....would love one of those sea view pitches....