Thurstaston - Hill & Common - Royden Park - Thurstaston

A circular walk over Thurstaston Common and with wide panoramic views of the Dee estuary and distant Liverpool bay and through a National Trust nature reserve. This is the largest and best area of natural heathland in Merseyside and is designated a site of special scientific interest. The common is a mixture of heathland and smooth red sandstone, with several varieties of heather, gorse and birch and also large areas of mixed woodland. Apart from the short stretch of uneven ground over rocks at the start, most of route is along well-worn and firm paths and tracks. Just after the tea rooms as you approach the end of the walk, take a short diversion to Thor’s Stone (photo on right), a large sandstone outcrop and a place of local romantic legend. Geologists and historians think that the rock is a natural formation similar to a tor, arising from periglacial weathering of the sandstone, which was later exploited by quarrymen in the 18th and 19th centuries.

This walk is good for children, senior citizens, anyone in-between and excellent for dogs, but unfortunately no good for wheelchairs and buggies. Suitable footwear will be anything with flat soles in summer, but boots are best in winter as you may encounter soggy sections. There are refreshments and toilets at the Cottage Loaf pub on the A540 just north of Thurstaston. At weekends the café at Royden Park, and ice cream van may be available, and you will be passing the Bently Farm tea rooms near the end of this walk. There are several picnic places and bench seats scattered along the route.

England - North England - Cheshire - Wirral

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Walk id: 7595

Walk grade

Easy Walk

Length

2.8 Miles

Height gain

95 Metres

Duration

1 Hours 17 Mins

Average rating

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