Walks you can reach from Bank Hall by train

Bootle New Strand Station to Kirkby Station (Lancashire)

3m direct from Bank Hall.

A route that begins with well-paved, gradually uphill road walking through the suburbs, then becomes a green walk on the tarmac path of an old railway, along a canal and through narrow natural paths in undergrowth and with a steep dip in one place. Part of the route follows the Trans-Pennine Trail along an old railway line; it passes Aintree Racecourse.

Easy: 10km, gentle ascents.

The barriers at the Barlow's Lane crossing are very narrow, and parts of the path have subsidence and a steep dip.

Lunch: Shops at the Black Bull on Rice Lane, and shops at the Kirkby end.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bootle New Strand Station to Liverpool Lime Street Station (Lancashire)

3m direct from Bank Hall.

A direct, easy-to-follow route, about half along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal towpath with well-made paths, interesting bridges and former industry and half urban through mainly residential streets into the city centre. Light-controlled crossings make the urban half safe; one section away from the canal has stairs with a short wheel detour.

Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Seaforth & Litherland Station to Bootle New Strand Station (Lancashire)

3m direct from Bank Hall.

A very short, direct and functional urban route, well-paved with good tarmac footpaths and making good use of green space along the edge of a small park and a detour behind a leisure centre. Flat and fully accessible. A pleasant green detour runs around the back of Bootle Leisure Centre.

Easy: 1km, flat terrain.

Lunch: Shops close to the Bootle end and a single shop at Litherland.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Seaforth & Litherland Station to Kirkby Station (Lancashire)

5m direct from Bank Hall.

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

Formby Station to Southport Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Bank Hall.

A scenic route. A scenic, easy-to-follow coastal walk on generally well-maintained paths, leaving Formby through a golf course and pine forest and then following the Trans Pennine Trail beside sand dunes and marram grass before a roadside stretch into Southport. Mostly flat; the woods have rougher pounded-earth paths with rises and falls. Follows the Trans Pennine Trail for a section; both ends are on the same railway line, and the walk can be started from Freshfield station.

13km. Flat terrain.

There is a footbridge and gated, signalled level crossings near Formby that are not accessible to all; the path can get sandy in places.

Lunch: Coffee shops at both ends.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Southport Station to Burscough Junction Station (Lancashire)

45m direct from Bank Hall.

A long route mixing well-paved residential roads, earthen and tarmacked footpaths, long unpaved embanked roads with no verges, field paths crossing turf fields and farmland, with stiles and little footbridges and level crossings. The final section follows a canal and drops into reedbeds. Can be split at New Lane station, which the route passes.

17km. Flat terrain.

A long, unpaved and often busy verge-less road built on embankments, including a humpback bridge over an old railway line that hides oncoming vehicles to the last minute, makes for a hair-raising and potentially dangerous section. Two level crossings with stair-stile access.

Lunch stops in burscough: the Farmer's Arms, or the Slipway.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route