Wirral: Spring has sprung

March 30, 2025March 28, 2025 / mikeosbornphoto / 4 Comments

When the first signs of Spring show, my instinct is to get out of the city and enjoy some fresh air.

A few weeks ago this took me from Manchester to the Wirral Peninsula near Liverpool, a place I’ve visited many times.

The little town of West Kirby on Wirral’s western edge is blessed with water, wide beaches and open skies. Is this a good place to end your winter hibernation? CONTINUE READING BELOW

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The first place I visited in West Kirby was the war memorial, an energetic walk uphill. The site, which offers views across the peninsula and Irish Sea, was bathed in buttery yellow gorse blossom.

One place that I always visit and photograph is the Marine Lake and the walkway that encircles the water. Little figures of walkers and a huge bright sky always create memorable frames.

To the north at the mercy of the tide is Hilbre Island and expanses of sand alongside shifting waters.

I also took my sun-kissed walk around the corner of the peninsula, skirting Hoylake promenade and sands which have been rewilded from beach to greenery.

This is an outing that never fails to energise and lift the mood, especially when it felt like an end to a long winter.

Walkers enjoy an early Spring walk around the Marine Lake path in West Kirby, Wirral.

West Kirby walkers enjoy Spring skies

Wirral at high tide

December 4, 2022December 4, 2022 / mikeosbornphoto / Leave a comment

November in the UK can be dank and turgid. When a day of bright blue skies was forecast, I booked a train to the Wirral, one of my favourite coastal spots. Enjoy the photos and read more below

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West Kirby is the last stop on the Wirral shuttle from Liverpool. It boasts a large marine lake, islands in the estuary and acres of sky.

But this day was different from previous visits. The tide swell was unusually high, filling the Dee estuary next to the peninsula.

Nearby Caldy Beach was underwater so I took the cliff path and enjoyed the views and winter sunshine.

After I headed back to West Kirby, the pathway which rings the Marine Lake was resurfacing. But my walk resulted in a pair of wet shoes and sodden socks!

Since that day Manchester has been cloaked in a blanket of dense cloud and is feeling truly wintry. Maybe some cheery, warm Christmas lights will provide respite from the gloom.

Wirral: Back to the beach

November 28, 2021November 24, 2021 / mikeosbornphoto / 4 Comments

The Wirral Peninsula is a favourite destination of mine. It’s a train ride from Manchester to Liverpool and then a quick hop on Merseyrail’s bright yellow shuttle.

The last stop is the town of West Kirby, familiar to me since moving north. I walked to neighbouring Caldy Beach for the first time, a sandy expanse with views of north Wales.

It was a luminous day of bright sunshine, the odd shower and cloud plumes filling the big sky. The light changed rapidly, making photography joyful and exciting.

I walked around West Kirby’s Marine Lake and walked uphill to the town’s striking war memorial – a great viewpoint.

This is a place I would return to time and again. Would you like to visit? Please leave your comments below

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End of the Wirral

August 13, 2017August 9, 2017 / mikeosbornphoto / 18 Comments

This memorable day trip started with a train from Manchester to Liverpool and then my first ride on the ‘Scouse Metro’ which takes you beneath the Mersey to Birkenhead and deeper into the Wirral peninsula. At the end of the line is the town of West Kirby.

It sits on the estuary of the River Dee as it flows into the Irish Sea, with the north Wales coast across the water. But for much of the day there’s little water as the tide is out, creating a vast expanse of open sand. This was a day of rain and leaden skies, making the sense of space even greater.

West Kirby also has a marine lake circled by a road – a natural place for walks. It adds to the sense of place in this distant part of a great northern peninsula.