Wirral lies between the River Dee and the River Mersey, overlooking the Welsh Hills and the spectacular Liverpool skyline. This position creates a local climate which is extraordinarily mild, thanks to the warming effect of the peninsula’s three coasts. Wirral is not only warm, it is drier than the rest of the northwest because it occupies a rain shadow created by Snowdonia to one side and the Lancashire and Lake District hills to the other. It’s a fact that Wirral is warmer, sunnier and drier than places as little as 20 miles away - and on the coast, it is warmer still (which also explains the location chosen for Ness Botanic Gardens in the 1800s).
As well as the mild climate, there is virtually no other location in the UK which is as blessed as Wirral for its wealth of different opportunities for holidaymakers…The Barnacre Cottages are ideal bases from which to explore this wonderful and unique peninsula, and its neighbouring cities of Liverpool and Chester. For more hardened “daytrippers”, excursions to Snowdonia in North Wales (1 hour), the Lake District (2 hours), Manchester (50 minutes) or The Peak District (2 hours) are all also perfectly achievable alternatives.
www.visitwirral.com is an excellent starting place for details of theatres, music, local museums and galleries, events and much more.
Golf
You’ll find lots of information at: www.visitwirral.com/attractions-and-activities/sports/golf
Royal Liverpool Golf Club www.royal-liverpool-golf.com
Local golf competition www.wirralgolfclassic.co.uk
Football
Everton Football Club www.evertonfc.com
Liverpool Football Club www.liverpoolfc.co.uk
Tranmere Rovers Football Club www.tranmererovers.co.uk
Local attractions
Chester Zoo www.chesterzoo.org Quite simply, world-beating.
Knowsley Safari Park www.knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk Famous for the amazing safari drive experience…
Ness Botanic Gardens www.nessgardens.org.uk 64 acres of bone-achingly beautiful gardens overlooking the Dee towards Snowdonia. Created in 1898 by cotton magnate and philanthropist AK Bulley (who funded many Victorian plant-hunters’ expeditions) the Gardens are planted informally and are extremely family-friendly with lots for children of all ages to enjoy including willow dens, play areas, grass labyrinth, chickens, trails and treasure hunts. For plant lovers, they are a feast!
Museums and galleries
Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ladylever
Williamson Art Gallery and Museum www.visitwirral.com/attractions-and-activities/williamson-art-gallery-and-museum-p7875
Liverpool museums, including International Slavery Museum, Merseyside Maritime Museum, Museum of Liverpool, Walker Art Gallery, World Museum… www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
www.visitliverpool.com/culture
Shopping
Cheshire Oaks www.cheshireoaksdesigneroutlet.com With a quarter-million square feet of retail space, comprising more than 145 boutiques, restaurants and cafés, Cheshire Oaks is the UK's largest Designer Outlet and a shopaholic's heaven!
Liverpool One www.liverpool-one.com With uber-stylish shopping, restaurants and entertainment close to the iconic Liverpool waterfront, this vibrant part of the city is a not-to-be-missed treat for city lovers and fashionistas.
Farmers Markets Wirral Farmers' Market is in New Ferry on the 2nd Saturday of every month; Heswall Farmers Market in The Church of the Good Shepherd Parish Hall in Heswall on 3rd Saturday of every month; West Kirby Farmers' Market in St Andrew's Church Hall, West Kirby takes place on the 4th Saturday of every month. All are open 9am – 1pm.
Beaches
Every Wirral beach where the water quality was tested in 2016 was rated as “excellent”. For more details of which Wirral beaches are best quality for swimming, will welcome dogs, or have lifeguard cover, go to: www.goodbeachguide.co.uk
Hilbre Island The four mile walk out to Hilbre Island and back (off the West Kirby shoreline) is well worth the effort. It is ESSENTIAL that the correct route is used and that setting off times take account of the rapidly-changing tides. To plan your safe trip, get full details from:
www.deeestuary.co.uk/hilbre/plan.htm
Theatres
(We regularly have cast members of the major productions stay in our cottages!)
The Floral Pavilion www.floralpavilion.com
The Everyman www.everymanplayhouse.com
The Liverpool Empire www.liverpoolempire.org.uk
Theatre guide www.liverpooltheatreguide.com
Eating out
You'll find lots of information at: www.visitwirral.com/food-and-drink
Wirral's Michelin-starred restaurant is Fraiche in Oxton village www.restaurantfraiche.com
There is an excellent range of other outlets - from fine dining in sumptuous surroundings at Hillbark Hotel www.hillbarkhotel.co.uk to excellent gastro pubs such as The Viking in West Kirby www.thevikingpub.co.uk. Simple pub food is available at the end of many of the local walks. Call the Countryside Rangers at Wirral Country Park in Thurstaston on 0151 648 4371 / 3884 for details of local walks and other wildlife activities.