Introduction
I made a late change to my plans today, and I’m so glad I did. I avoided the storms that were in the hills to the east, and enjoyed a super walk in pretty countryside around the village of Irby.
It was a decent day, reasonably warm with lots of sunshine. Rain was often nearby but I barely felt a sprinkle!
Irby is just under an hour’s drive from Cheadle Hume – motorway virtually all the way on the M56 and M53.
The 5.6 mile walk took took 2 hours 45 minutes, plus 15 minutes for lunch, but I dawdled along, and added a little extra distance at Thurstaston Common, exploring the lovely heath, and great views over the Dee estuary.
This is a great walk for dogs to stretch their legs in the secure woodland and over the common. There’s just a few short roadside sections.
I parked on the lengthy lay-by parallel to Thingwall Road, use postcode CH61 3UD, and I walked in a clockwise direction.
The walk is on OS Explorer Map 256 .
Harrock Wood And Irby
After crossing the road, I entered Harrock Wood, a narrow strip of deciduous woodland, with a small stream. It’s very pleasant.
At the end of the wood, I turned right to cross the stream I could use either of the two available methods!
There was some threat in the skies as I traversed a field to the village of Irby.
Irby has a small, busy shopping area, with at least a couple of pubs. The Anchor looks inviting!
Thurstaston Common
I followed the signpost to Thurstaston, skirting a field past some houses, and across another field that was filled with birdsong.
At the end of the field was the first of several “Wirral gates” – a crafty hinge mechanism to lift the 3 cross rails, unlike any I’ve seen elsewhere!
At the A540, there is another pub, The Cottage Loaf.
Just beyond the pub is an entry to Thurstaston Common, an important lowland heath, owned by the National Trust. The map shows that there is a car park here, and this is worth noting if you just want to explore the common and Royden Park Country Park beyond – say on a day trip to the area with children. Royden Park has toilets too.
Following the path, I turned left at the primary school, and headed up to the viewpoint.
These two pictures were taken 20 seconds apart and show the varying weather conditions that were around today!
I spent about 45 minutes meandering over the common, enjoying the varying landscapes.
There is a wealth of interesting birdlife on the common. I had a great view of this jay, a usually quite timid bird.
I reached the boundary of the common and Roydon Park and made my way through the pleasant open mixed woodland.
On To Arrowe Country Park
Leaving the common, I passed a restored wild flower meadow.
And then on to Irby Quarry, before joining a fairly quiet lane.
Lo and behold, yet another attractive pub, The Irby Mill!
I ignored the bridleway on the right, that would lead quickly back to my car – I planned to use this bail out if the weather had turned nasty! At a junction with a minor road, I took a path across the fields. Hay was being cut in the fields, whilst, rather sadly, a skylark was singing heartily above – no chance if you’ve nested here, I thought.
Meanwhile, I don’t think this fellow was looking for skylark nests – buried treasure was his hope.
I entered the woodland, home to a pretty stream.
The path led upstream to a fishing pool.
Another narrow wood followed, the track forming an avenue with many very tall majestic trees – oak, sycamore, beech, ash and birch, with the larger ones all tagged and numbered by the Council.
To my left through the trees were the well manicured fairways of the parkland Arrowe Park Golf Course, quite busy on this fine Thursday.
From here it was a short stroll down the extended lay-by to the car.
This walk was so much better than I’d expected, having a really wide range of landscapes. I would recommend a visit here for walkers of all ages and abilities!
And Finally….
Here’s something new. Nathan Connolly is the Snow Patrol guitarist, and I really like this debut debut solo album, Strange Order Of Things , aided by lots of guests.
This is Ghost, featuring vocals by Ailbhe Reddy