ST201905

A MINIATURE

ARCHIPELAGO

HILBRE

West Kirby, Wirral, Merseyside

Almost a rite of passage for the people

of Merseyside, this crossing of the vast

sands of Liverpool Bay offers an insight

into a natural world right on the

doorstep of the metropolis. Tucked into

the mouth of the Dee estuary, Hilbre is

part of a long rocky strand featuring

wave-sculpted cliffs, arches and caves.

Even on the lowest ebb of the tide you

are pretty much guaranteed a dip from

the northern tip of the island. Maroon

yourself for the five hours or so of high

tide to explore the geology and birdlife

• there is a lot to enjoy.
  Good fact The fastest recorded
  response time to a message sent from
  Liverpool to Holyhead via the old
  telegraph station on Hilbre was 23
  seconds, faster than many broadband
  services today!
  Don’t miss The Wirral’s very own
  Ayers Rock, as you walk up the ramp to
  Hilbre. The grey seal colony hauled out
  of the water on Hoyle Bank.

ROLLERCOASTER ROUTE

WORM’S

HEAD

Rhossili, Gower, South Wales

More of an adventure than a walk,

the route takes you along the dragon’s

spine of an island full of natural

wonders. From the coast path and

across the rocky tidal causeway, you

ascend the island to reach the spiral-

shaped Outer Head, a short scramble

making for a spectacular finale.

Worm’s Head is the most westerly

point of the beautiful Gower peninsula

and each section is uniquely stunning.

Middle Head is split into two by Devil’s

Bridge, a natural rock arch, while

Low Neck is a landscape of jagged,

upended rock layers arranged row

after row with deep chasms in

between. It leaves you in no doubt as

to the massive upheavals that formed

these strata. Seabirds accompany

visitors throughout the Worm to its

raw and elemental en,d where waves

crash on the rocks below.

Good fact At Rhossili Bay, voted best

beach in Wales and in the world’s top

10, some 400 people attempted to break

the world record for the largest number

of people skinny-dipping at one time.

Don’t miss Listening to the blowhole

at Outer Head. The siren to warn

stragglers of the incoming tide.

OUTING