Wirral Way and the Old Quays

Description

(D/A) From the corner, walk up Boathouse Lane, away from the estuary. Take the steps on the left down to the Wirral Way, turning right under the bridge. Follow the Way for ¾ mile, crossing a footbridge over a road partway along.

(1) At a fork, turn right down a cobbled path. On emerging into Springcroft, walk out to the main road and climb the steps opposite next to a World War II pillbox and rejoin the Wirral Way beyond. Pass under a road bridge, then after 250 yards turn right on a footpath signposted to Old Quay.

(2) At the road, turn left and pass a house. When the road bends right, take the track straight on. Ignore a footpath on the left, then at the end of the hedged track bear right on an obvious path across the field to a footbridge. Follow the path beyond to the scant remains of Neston Old Quay.

(3) Cross the stone stile on your left and follow the obvious path alongside the estuary. When you meet a road, continue past the Harp Inn to view the remains of Denhall Quay.

(4) Turn and retrace your steps to the footbridge at Neston Old Quay. Cross the footbridge and then a second over a larger stream, and then a third, before bearing left to a kissing gate. Turn right and follow a sometimes muddy path alongside an extensive reedbed, with intermittent boardwalks and a gappy hedge and fence on the right. At the boundary of a property, turn right alongside a fence to reach the road.

(5) Turn left into Manorial Road South. At the end of the road, a short footpath leads to the continuation of the road. When the road bends right, take a footpath on the left, which leads between houses and emerges on the estuary, before skirting the gardens to meet the Parade.

(6) Cross over and follow the Parade, with the estuary on your left, back to the Boathouse.(D/A)