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Thurstaston Common and Coast

5 miles (8 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This walk explores Thurstaston Common before heading to Wirral Country Park on the coast. It's a varied walk with woodland trails, pretty heather, hill climbs and wonderful coastal scenery to enjoy.
You can start the walk from the car park in Royden Park and then pick up the footpaths heading south across the common. Here you'll find woodland, heathland and a viewpoint at Thurstaston Hill. There's lovely views over the Dee Estuary, the city of Liverpool and the Welsh coast from here. Also look out for the striking Thor's Stone, a large sandstone outcrop and a place of romantic legend.
After taking in the views the route descends to Thurstaston Hall where you follow Station Road to Wirral Country Park.
The coastal park is the first designated country park in Britain, opening in 1973. You can climb the 60 feet high, boulder-clay cliffs where there are splendid views of the Wirral Peninsula. There's also a visitor centre and a number of pretty ponds where you can look out for a variety of wildlife.
Follow footpaths south east through the park and you will see another path leading off to the north east. This will take you to 'The Dungeon', a wooded ravine with a small waterfall. Turn left here and you will soon arrive back at the village and the common.
This walk uses a section of the Wirral Way long distance trail near the coast. You can extend the walk by picking up the popular route. Heading north will take you to West Kirby, while heading south will take you to Heswall and Neston.

Thurstaston Common and Coast OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Thurstaston Common and Coast Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

There's a cafe and other facilities in Royden park just to the north.
If you fancy a pub lunch you could head into nearby Irby and visit the historic Irby Mill. The pub is set in the old miller's cottage for the mill that once stood on this site. After being disused since about 1878 and in a very dilapidated condition, the mill was demolished in 1898. The pub has a charming interior with thick sandstone walls, low beams and a real fire. There's a small L-shaped, stone-floored bar and a lounge used mainly by diners. They serve good quality locally sourced home-made food and have a nice garden area for warmer days.
You can find the pub at postcode CH49 3NT for your sat navs. They are dog friendly.

Dog Walking

The common is a great place for dog walking. You should find a hose and water bowl at the Royden Park cafe mentioned above.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Just a couple of miles to the south there's another of the walking highlights of the area at Heswall Dales. The pleasant area of heathland has some interesting wildlife, fascinating geological features and fine coastal views. It is located on the western side of the town of Heswall. Near here you can pick up the Parkgate Circular Walk and explore the area around the delightful village of Parkgate. There's another nature reserve here with marshland, lots of wildlife and a fine coastal pub to relax in afterwards.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Merseyside Walks and the Wirral Walks pages.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Thors Stone, Thurstaston Common (geograph 2990423)

Thors Stone, Thurstaston Common

Gated Approach - geograph.org.uk - 669269

Gated Approach

Conifer, Thurstaston Common (geograph 2990429)

Conifer, Thurstaston Common

Viewpoint Marker - geograph.org.uk - 640183

Viewpoint Marker

View from Thurstaston Hill - geograph.org.uk - 42223

View from Thurstaston Hill

Gates to Thurstaston Hall - geograph.org.uk - 475215

Gates to Thurstaston Hall

Visitor centre pond - geograph.org.uk - 870031

Visitor centre pond - Wirral Country Park

Wirral coast at high tide - geograph.org.uk - 1737038

Wirral coast at high tide

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Thurstaston Common and Coast.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Thurstaston Common and Coast.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)