Wirral is home to many peaceful parks and pretty gardens, so it’s not surprising that it attracts walkers and ramblers from all over the world. Here are 7 of the best parks in Wirral for you to visit.
I have already shared my favourite Wirral walks and beaches in previous articles. So naturally, I thought it would be important to share a selection of Wirral’s beautiful parks! Wirral has so many parks and woodlands to explore, too. Here are seven of my favourites.
1. Birkenhead Park
Facilities and things to do here:
- The visitor centre holds events, features a gallery and has a café.
- Public toilets and baby changing are available in the visitor centre.
- There is a children’s playground.
- Two lakes are available for angling. (Permit required)
- Football pitches and bowling greens.
- Walking trails and guided walks.
- Forest school and outdoor education training.
- Parking is currently available on the park’s surrounding roads (e.g. Ashville Road, Cavendish Road, Park Road North, Park Road East, Park Road South and Park Road West).
Birkenhead Park is also known as ‘The People’s Garden’. Joseph Paxton designed the park, which opened on April 5th, 1847. From the beginning, it was a public park accessible to everyone regardless of their social class—a groundbreaking concept at the time. Today, it continues to be a welcoming space for all, embodying inclusivity and community spirit.
Frederick Law Olmsted visited the park from America in 1850. He found that the principles embodied in Birkenhead Park were revolutionary. He took them back across the Atlantic, initially applying them in his design for Central Park, New York, and then for many other national parks. Sefton Park in Liverpool is also based on its design.
At Birkenhead Park, something exciting is always happening. Events range from fairs and festivals to guided walks and charity runs.
Birkenhead Park, Park Dr, Birkenhead, Wirral CH41 4HY
2. Royden Country Park
Facilities and things to do here:
- Resource centre with a café.
- Toilets are available.
- Exhibition areas.
- A walled garden to visit.
- Ranger-led events programme.
- Miniature railway.
- Woodland and heathland walks.
- Roodee Mere contains water all year and is open to the Association of Wirral Angling Clubs licence holders to fish.
- Paid parking is available here.
I’ve been visiting Royden Park since childhood, yet it still has that same magic and is always my number one choice for a woodland walk in Wirral. Spanning approximately 200 acres, this park features woodlands, gardens, and open spaces, making it ideal for families, nature lovers, and anyone looking to spend much-needed time outdoors.
Royden Park, located in Frankby, Wirral, is managed by the Wirral Council. The park’s grounds were initially part of Ernest Royden’s estate, which included the park itself, Hill Bark house, and Thurstaston Common. Following Royden’s passing, the estate was transferred to Hoylake Council and opened for recreational use.
Today, the park boasts a visitor centre, walled garden, miniature railway, woodland walks, and a large lake called Roodee Mere, where fishing is permitted. The old coach house for Hill Bark has been converted into a cafe and resource centre.
Royden Park, Hill Bark Rd, Frankby, Birkenhead, Wirral CH48 1NP
3. Arrowe Country Park
Facilities and things to do here:
- Municipal 18-hole golf course and pitch and putt.
- Toddler’s play area.
- Children’s adventure playground.
- Outdoor gym equipment.
- Tennis courts.
- Bowls.
- Orienteering.
- Paid parking is available here.
Arrowe Country Park is located in the centre of the Wirral and offers 250 acres of open parkland, ponds, and deciduous woodland. My son and I love using our walkie-talkies here to play, dip in the brook, or enjoy the peaceful pathways and woodland walks.
There is a large field here, which is great for summer picnics or outdoor games. You might also spot people flying model aeroplanes.
Arrowe Country Park, Arrowe Park Rd, Woodchurch, Birkenhead, Wirral CH49 5LW
4. Port Sunlight River Park
Facilities and things to do here:
- Quiet walks.
- Birdwatching.
- Cafe.
- The toilets available here are in the Cafe.
- Nearby Port Sunlight amenities.
- Parking for 10 cars. Additional parking is available on Dock Road North.
Port Sunlight River Park has been revitalised from a former landfill into a beautiful 28-hectare park. This popular community spot features numerous walkways, diverse wildlife, wildflowers, and wetlands. It offers the public an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature!
The park, which was the old Bromborough landfill, offers superb views over the Mersey of Liverpool’s skyline. For bird watchers, there is an area of salt marsh to the north, which is important for large populations of water birds and is a site of special protection.
The Land Trust’s current managing partners at Port Sunlight are the Conservation Volunteers, who manage the park on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the Land Trust.
Port Sunlight River Park, Dock Road North, Bromborough, Wirral CH62 4TQ
5. Wirral Country Park
Facilities and things to do here:
- Visitor centre.
- Access to the Wirral Way, a 12-mile walking or cycling route with separate horse riding routes and self-guided trails.
- Enjoy a picnic or BBQ with an enclosed BBQ area.
- Ranger-led events programme.
- Bike hire.
- Café.
- Bird hide.
- Toilets are available here.
- Baby changing.
- Paid car parking.
- Group campsite and touring caravan site.
One of my favourite parks in the Wirral is Wirral Country Park, the first designated Country Park in the UK. Nestled by the beach, this stunning park features woodlands, expansive grassy areas, and picnic spots. There are designated BBQ areas along Station Road that you can use freely or reserve in advance during peak times.
Additionally, the visitor centre near the Wirral Way is a great place to pause during longer walks. Flissy’s Coffee Shop is conveniently situated next to the park’s car park, just off the Wirral Way if you need refreshments.
You can stay at the Wirral Country Park Club Campsite. The campsite spans 2,000 acres and features several pitching areas, all of which are beautifully separated by trees and shrubs. Some pitches even offer views of the Dee Estuary; it’s an ideal spot for families, cyclists, and walkers. This campsite is conveniently located for those planning to visit Liverpool or explore North Wales. Find more information here.
The Wirral Country Park, Station Rd, Thurstaston, Wirral CH61 0HN
6. Vale Park
Facilities and things to do here:
- Café.
- Community centre.
- Kick-about pitch.
- Children’s play area.
- Outdoor gym equipment.
- Fairy garden.
Vale Park is a magical spot to spend a leisurely hour or two. Whenever friends with young children visit me, we often head to Vale Park. It offers beautiful views of the River Mersey and plenty of room to play and appreciate nature.
A standout feature of this park is the enchanting fairy village, which captivates my son. He loves to create stories about the fairies living there and enjoys searching for them among the trees.
The park features a bandstand that hosts various summer events, including live music and outdoor theatre performances. This makes it a fantastic location for kids. We often stroll through this park after spending time in New Brighton.
Vale Park, New Brighton, Wallasey CH45
7. Ashton Park
Facilities and things to do here:
- Children’s play area.
- Multi-use games area.
- Junior football pitch.
- Two bowling greens and bowling pavilions.
- Grass and hard surface tennis courts.
- Toilets are available here.
- Beautiful rose gardens as well as informal gardens.
Ashton Park in West Kirby is a lovely park that dates back to Victorian and Edwardian times. There’s plenty of space here to picnic and play, and a lake in the centre has a fountain and many wild birds you can feed. There are also plenty of footpath trails that will take you onto the Wirral Way from here.
The Friends of Ashton Park and Wirral Council have a very active partnership and work closely to manage the park. Their website has loads of information and the latest events.
Ashton Park, Westbourne Rd, West Kirby, Wirral CH48 4DH
Please note that I will provide separate detailed articles for each park in the future, including all you need to know and information about their history. Hopefully, this overview article has helped you pick one of these parks in Wirral! In the comments, let me know if you would love to visit any parks in Wirral.
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