Wirral is the home to many peaceful parks and pretty gardens. It’s not surprising that it attracts walkers and ramblers from all over the world. Here are 7 of the best parks in the Wirral.
It’s no secret that we love the Wirral! We’ve explored Wirral walks and beaches already in previous articles. Did you know Wirral has some really beautiful parks and woodland to explore too? Here are 7 of our favourites.
1. Birkenhead Park
Birkenhead Park runs through the centre of Birkenhead. This pretty park is generally acknowledged as the first publicly funded civic park in the world and was designed by Joseph Paxton.
A fact we love is that Birkenhead Park has influenced the design of urban parks across the World and was the major influence for the design of Central Park, New York by Frederick Law Olmsted.
Today, the park’s famous Swiss Bridge, Boat House and Grand Entrance have all been restored, along with new bridges, paths, and railings. Birkenhead Park is a Grade I listed historic landscape and conservation area, with many Grade II and Grade II* listed buildings and structures. It is a beautiful park to spend some time exploring.
Facilities and things to do here:
- Visitor centre, which holds events and has a café.
- Public toilets and baby changing available in the visitor centre.
- A children’s playground.
- Two lakes available for angling (A permit is required)
- Football pitches and bowling greens.
- A fitness trail.
- Woodland walks.
2. Royden Park
Royden Park is a large area of parkland that stretches across 250 acres of land including woodlands, meadows, fields and a lake. It is located adjacent to Thurstaston Common. There are large open spaces here with picnic tables that don’t lead onto roads. They are a nice place to stop for a picnic and enjoy a day outside.
Facilities and things to do here:
- Visitor centre with a café.
- Toilets are available.
- Exhibition areas.
- A walled garden to visit.
- Ranger-led events programme.
- Miniature railway.
- Woodland and heathland walks.
- Paid parking available here.
- Roodee Mere contains water all year and is open to the Association of Wirral Angling Clubs licence holders to fish.
3. Arrowe Park
Arrowe Country Park enjoys 250 acres of open parkland, ponds and deciduous woodland. It is located in the centre of the Wirral. We love talking out our walkie talkies here to play, or pond dip in the brook. Or we just enjoy the peaceful pathways and woodland walks.
There is a large field here which is great to visit in the summer and play outdoor games or have a picnic. If you’re lucky you might spot people flying model aeroplanes.
Facilities and things to do here:
- Red Rooms Café.
- Paid parking available here.
- Bike parking.
- Picnic facilities.
- Toilets are available.
- Municipal 18 hole golf course and pitch and putt.
- Toddler’s play area.
- Children’s adventure playground.
- Outdoor gyms equipment.
- Tennis courts.
- Bowls.
- Orienteering.
4. Port Sunlight River Park
For stunning views across the Mersey of the famous Liverpool skyline visit Port Sunlight river park. The park which was the old Bromborough landfill offers superb views over the Mersey. For the bird watchers, there is an area of salt marsh to the north which is an important area for large populations of water birds and is a site of special protection.
Facilities and things to do:
- Quiet walks.
- Birdwatching.
- Enjoy a picnic.
- Nearby Port Sunlight amenities.
5. Wirral Country Park
One of our favourites parks in the Wirral is Wirral Country Park. It was actually the first designated Country Park in Britain. You can see magnificent views of migratory birds over the River Dee. Enjoy a wander on Thurstaston Beach, have a barbecue or picnic in bbq and picnic areas.
Facilities and things to do:
- Visitor centre.
- Access to the Wirral Way which is a 12 mile long walking or cycle route with separate horse riding route self-guided trails. Maps are available from the visitor centre.
- Enjoy a picnic or BBQ with an enclosed BBQ area call the visitor centre to book.
- Ranger-led events programme.
- Visit as a school group or organised party.
- Bike hire.
- Café.
- Bird hide.
- Toilets available here.
- Baby changing.
- Breastfeeding friendly registered.
- Paid car parking.
- Group campsite and touring caravan site.
- Events field for hire.
6. Vale Park
Vale Park is a magical little park that boasts views of the River Mersey. There is even a fairy village here which is really quirky and a lovely imaginative place for children to explore. In the summer there is a bandstand here that hosts events including music and outdoor theatre.
Facilities and things to do:
- Vale House café.
- Community centre.
- Kick-about pitch.
- Children’s play area.
- Fairy garden.
7. Ashton Park
Ashton Park in West Kirby is a lovely little park and it dates back to the Victorian and Edwardian times. There’s plenty of space here to picnic and play and a lake in the centre which has a fountain and lots of wild birds you can feed. There are plenty of footpath trails that will take you onto the Wirral Way from here.
Facilities and things to do:
- Children’s play area.
- Multi-use games area.
- Junior football pitch.
- Two bowling greens and bowling pavilions. Men’s and Ladies bowling clubs.
- Grass and hard surface tennis courts.
- Toilets available here.
- Beautiful rose gardens as well as informal gardens.
Hopefully, we’ve inspired you to visit one of these parks in Wirral! Let us know any parks you love to visit in the Wirral in the comments.
