{"id":1007340,"date":"2023-05-11T17:24:34","date_gmt":"2023-05-11T16:24:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1007340"},"modified":"2023-05-11T17:24:37","modified_gmt":"2023-05-11T16:24:37","slug":"arrowe-park-and-thurstaston-common-a-gem-of-a-short-walk-on-the-wirral","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1007340","title":{"rendered":"Arrowe Park And Thurstaston Common – A Gem Of A Short Walk On The Wirral"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I made a late change to my plans today, and I’m so glad I did. I avoided the storms that were in the hills to the east, and enjoyed a super walk in pretty countryside around the village of Irby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a decent day, reasonably warm with lots of sunshine. Rain was often nearby but I barely felt a sprinkle!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Irby is just under an hour’s drive from Cheadle Hume – motorway virtually all the way on the M56 and M53.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 5.6 mile walk took took 2 hours 45 minutes, plus 15 minutes for lunch, but I dawdled along, and added a little extra distance at Thurstaston Common, exploring the lovely heath, and great views over the Dee estuary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a great walk for dogs to stretch their legs in the secure woodland and over the common. There’s just a few short roadside sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I parked on the lengthy lay-by parallel to Thingwall Road, use postcode CH61 3UD, and I walked in a clockwise direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is on OS Explorer Map 256 .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Harrock Wood And Irby<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After crossing the road, I entered Harrock Wood, a narrow strip of deciduous woodland, with a small stream. It’s very pleasant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At the end of the wood, I turned right to cross the stream I could use either of the two available methods!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There was some threat in the skies as I traversed a field to the village of Irby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Irby has a small, busy shopping area, with at least a couple of pubs. The Anchor looks inviting!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thurstaston Common<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I followed the signpost to Thurstaston, skirting a field past some houses, and across another field that was filled with birdsong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the field was the first of several “Wirral gates” – a crafty hinge mechanism to lift the 3 cross rails, unlike any I’ve seen elsewhere!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At the A540, there is another pub, The Cottage Loaf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Just beyond the pub is an entry to Thurstaston Common, an important lowland heath, owned by the National Trust. The map shows that there is a car park here, and this is worth noting if you just want to explore the common and Royden Park Country Park beyond – say on a day trip to the area with children. Royden Park has toilets too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the path, I turned left at the primary school, and headed up to the viewpoint. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These two pictures were taken 20 seconds apart and show the varying weather conditions that were around today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I spent about 45 minutes meandering over the common, enjoying the varying landscapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There is a wealth of interesting birdlife on the common. I had a great view of this jay, a usually quite timid bird.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I reached the boundary of the common and Roydon Park and made my way through the pleasant open mixed woodland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On To Arrowe Country Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Leaving the common, I passed a restored wild flower meadow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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And then on to Irby Quarry, before joining a fairly quiet lane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lo and behold, yet another attractive pub, The Irby Mill!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I ignored the bridleway on the right, that would lead quickly back to my car – I planned to use this bail out if the weather had turned nasty! At a junction with a minor road, I took a path across the fields. Hay was being cut in the fields, whilst, rather sadly, a skylark was singing heartily above – no chance if you’ve nested here, I thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Meanwhile, I don’t think this fellow was looking for skylark nests – buried treasure was his hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I entered the woodland, home to a pretty stream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The path led upstream to a fishing pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Another narrow wood followed, the track forming an avenue with many very tall majestic trees – oak, sycamore, beech, ash and birch, with the larger ones all tagged and numbered by the Council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To my left through the trees were the well manicured fairways of the parkland Arrowe Park Golf Course, quite busy on this fine Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From here it was a short stroll down the extended lay-by to the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This walk was so much better than I’d expected, having a really wide range of landscapes. I would recommend a visit here for walkers of all ages and abilities!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here’s something new. Nathan Connolly is the Snow Patrol guitarist, and I really like this debut debut solo album, Strange Order Of Things , aided by lots of guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is Ghost, featuring vocals by Ailbhe Reddy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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