Best walks near Bromborough by train

West Kirby Station to Hoylake Station (Cheshire)

1h from Bromborough Rake, with one change.

great views over the Dee to Wales and Hilbre. A coastal walk that runs along a sandy beach and firmer paths through reed beds and saltmarsh, with short residential stretches at each end. There is soft sand at the start and end and the sand can be wet near the West Kirby end. Almost the entire route is now part of the King Charles III England Coast Path. The coast here is a nature reserve with abundant birds and plants.

3km.

The beach section should not be walked at high tide; an alternative is signposted along nearby roads when the tide is in.

A healthy number of shops, bars and cafés at both ends.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bebington Station to Ellesmere Port Station (Cheshire)

6m direct from Bromborough Rake.

A straightforward but largely suburban route through residential areas and on many roads, broken up by lovely wooded areas: an old railway walk, the wooded Dibbinsdale valley along the River Dibbin, the picturesque village of Port Sunlight. There are some muddy field paths approaching the golf course and making it foot-only. Passes through Dibbinsdale, now a wetland wildlife area with reedbeds, via Otter's Tunnel. Ten stations along the way with frequent services. Refreshments and shops near Bromborough station.

16km.

Hooton Road (B5133) is busy with fast cars and has poor visibility to cross to a narrow, overgrown pavement. Muddy field paths near the golf course.

Lunch: Garden centre on the A41 has refreshments and toilets; cafes and shops near Bromborough station.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Birkenhead Central Station to Bebington Station (Cheshire)

6m direct from Bromborough Rake.

An urban walk with green breaks through the suburbs of Birkenhead: well-paved residential roads with a gradual uphill start, a pleasant crossing of Mersey Park with river views, an unpaved but quiet road through the historic Rock Park estate. Mostly accessible and though maybe a bit steep in places. Crosses Mersey Park with views over the river to Liverpool, and Rock Park, a once-exclusive private estate of historic houses now bordered by the busy A41. Edges Port Sunlight near the finish. A short diversion at Rock Ferry reaches the old pier and the Refreshment Rooms pub.

5km.

Lunch: Shops along the way; the Refreshment Rooms pub is a short diversion at Rock Ferry.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Birkenhead Central Station to Liverpool Lime Street Station (Cheshire)

15m direct from Bromborough Rake.

fab views of the Liverpool skyline. A short, accessible city-centre and waterfront walk through Liverpool's wide, pedestrianised shopping streets to Pier Head, crossing the Mersey by ferry and then along functional roads through Birkenhead. Fully accessible apart from one avoidable flight of stairs near Lime Street and some kerbs on the Birkenhead side. Crosses the Mersey by ferry (a combined bus/train/boat Saveaway ticket can be cheaper off-peak); a riverside path from Woodside, open dawn to dusk, may be a better alternative to the Birkenhead road walk. Both ferry ports have full facilities.

Easy: 4km, moderate ascents.

The route requires the Mersey Ferry — check timetables in advance, as services and terminals can be closed. A flight of stairs soon after Lime Street can be avoided via the slope. Busy road crossings on the Birkenhead side.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Wallasey Grove Road Station to Birkenhead Central Station (Cheshire)

15m direct from Bromborough Rake.

the views make it worth it. To the west, across the Wirral to the river Dee and north Wales beyond; to the east, over the Mersey and Liverpool. A route through some of the nicest parts of north Wirral: well-paved residential roads, a Forestry Commission nature reserve, boardwalk across marshy ground, a climb up the sandstone ridge of Bidston Hill with great views, ending through Birkenhead Park. Footpaths can be muddy and even flooded near the railway and the hilltop is often muddy and uneven; foot-only due to terrain and steps. Climbs Bidston Hill past a lighthouse, observatory and old windmill, with ancient rock carvings (a possibly thousand-year-old horse's head). Ends through Birkenhead Park, the first municipal park in England and the inspiration for New York's Central Park. A few shops and pubs at Claughton.

9km.

The footpath alongside the railway lies in a swamp and can be muddy or flooded, though always passable. Access to Bidston station is via a stepped footbridge; a stepped descent into Birkenhead Central.

Lunch: Pubs and shops at Claughton; a visitor centre cafe in Birkenhead Park.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Liverpool Lime Street Station to Prescot Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Bromborough Rake.

A long urban route that swerves the busier highways of the direct route for quieter residential roads, parks and footpaths. Begins on well-paved major roads with good crossings, then takes in residential streets, parks, a disused-railway cutting and a footpath alongside a river. Entirely hard-surfaced and well-paved and but tiring for the feet. Passes through Newsham Park and along the Liverpool Loop Line on the West Derby cutting, a quiet disused railway carved from stone. Shops at both ends and along the route.

16km.

The first mile or so is a busy main road on a slightly uphill slog, and crossing the motorway and roundabout near Prescot is not easy. Some sections have high kerbs and no ramps, and there are steps from Newsham Park onto Lister Drive.

Lunch: Opportunities to buy food and coffee at the dual carriageway about a third of the way along, and more shops near halfway and a pub near a main road.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Liverpool Lime Street Station to Liverpool South Parkway Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Bromborough Rake.

A mostly gorgeous route. A mostly flat, well-surfaced route, the bulk of it along a wide paved promenade beside the River Mersey estuary with gorgeous views and plus a short city-centre section and quiet suburban streets with Triassic red-sandstone walls. Fully paved with only short ramps and a brief cobbled section near Albert Dock; suitable for all wheels.

Easy: 11km, gentle ascents.

Lunch: A pub and cafe with toilets at Otterspool roughly halfway; little else on the route, so get coffee and snacks in town.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

St Helens Central Station to Lea Green Station (Lancashire)

45m from Bromborough Rake, with one change.

A short town-to-town route: leaves the centre on a tarmac canal towpath, climbs onto higher ground, crosses a retail park and then takes a tarmac track and an earth-and-stone path that can be wet and muddy through Sherdley Park before broad park paths lead to the station.

Easy: 4km, moderate ascents.

Foot-only route due to the footpath into Sherdley Park; a road near Grove's Dam is prone to flooding though passable on foot.

Lunch: Plenty of shops and places for refreshment in the retail park mid-route.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Seaforth & Litherland Station to Kirkby Station (Lancashire)

45m from Bromborough Rake, with one change.

A largely flat canal route, mainly along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath (a green, tree-shaded ribbon despite nearby roads and industry), with tarmac and earth footpaths and a wildlife area and an aqueduct over the River Alt. Some unavoidable kerbs and narrow cycle barriers. Mostly follows the Leeds and Liverpool Canal; passes the Rimrose Valley / Brook Vale wildlife area and Aintree Racecourse. Can be split at Old Roan, where there are a few shops and cafes near the station.

Easy: 12km, gentle ascents.

A stepped footbridge over a main road at the Litherland end (avoidable by crossing at the big roundabout instead); several narrow cycle barriers and a slightly muddy path under the railway.

Lunch: A short diversion at Old Roan reaches a few shops and cafes near the station.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

St Helens Central Station to Newton-le-Willows Station (Lancashire)

45m from Bromborough Rake, with one change.

A superb, mostly off-road walk along the historic St Helens/Sankey Canal towpath (tarmac or metalled earth) through peaceful countryside and with the canal a string of pools and reedbeds. Largely accessible to wheels and cycles with some width restrictions and sometimes stony or muddy surfaces; one steep tarmac climb and a stepped footbridge at Earlestown. Follows the St Helens/Sankey Canal, passing the Sankey Viaduct (George Stephenson's monument, the first major railway bridge in the world), old locks, and the 'Mucky Mountains' spoil heaps of the former vitriol works, now reclaimed by nature. Stations at both ends with working lifts.

10km.

Crossing the railway at Earlestown uses a stepped footbridge, making the route foot-only.

Lunch: Shops, pubs and eateries at both ends.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Prescot Station to St Helens Central Station (Lancashire)

45m from Bromborough Rake, with one change.

A mostly urban route that avoids the busy roads of the direct alternative, using quieter residential streets, cycle routes and footpaths, with the best sections through a park and woodland and a wildflower meadow at Thatto Heath. A short steep section through woods; one large puddle to skirt; finishes alongside a disused canal. Crosses Thatto Heath Meadows nature reserve, full of wildflowers and overlooking St Helens, where moorhens, coots and a cormorant were seen. Finishes alongside the disused St Helens Canal.

7km.

About a mile of main road near Prescot. Thatto Heath nature reserve has cycle barriers and a stile.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Hoylake Station to Wallasey Grove Road Station (Cheshire)

45m from Bromborough Rake, with one change.

Beautiful views over the Wales and Hilbre Island. A flat, easy and very accessible coastal walk, mostly on wide concrete or paved seawall and promenade with extensive beach and sea views. A section between the Old Gunsite and Leasowe Lighthouse is unsealed and stony and blown sand can impede wheels in a couple of places. Easy to return on Merseyrail. Refreshments and toilets at Derby Pool, the Green Hut and in Hoylake.

Easy: 10km, moderate ascents.

Watch out for cyclists, as the shared cycle and walking paths are confusing and hard to avoid. Blown sand can impede progress in places.

Lunch stop: the Green Hut.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route