Welcome To Wirral

Oak, Beech and Sweet Chestnut dominate the high canopy, towering above stands of Silver Birch, Sycamore and younger trees. Beneath these a dense shrub layer of Holly and localised patches of Rowan, Yew and Rhododendron provide vital cover for nesting birds. On the woodland floor in spring, Wood Anemones, Wood Sorrel and Lesser Celandine can be found and carpets of Bluebells cover the ground beneath the Oakwood. In summer the tall spikes of purple and white Foxgloves can be seen and dense thickets of Bramble buzz with insect life. One of the most noticeable insects is the Speckled Wood butterfly which can be seen 'dancing' in shafts of sunlight which reach through the canopy in summer. In cool, shaded areas of the woodland, mosses, ferns and fungi thrive.

Commonly seen are the Bracket fungi on living and dead Birch and Beech trees. Bright yellow clusters of the Sulphur Tuft fungi can be seen on the tree stumps and the distinctive smell of the Stinkhorns lingers in the Beechwoods in late Summer,

Birds

The wide variety of berries, nuts and invertebrates in the woodland provide abundant food for birds and in spring the woodland rings with the sound of bird-song. Blackbird, Thrush, Blue and Great Tit, Collard Dove, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Robin, Wren and Chaffinch are some of the more familiar residents. But with patience, Nuthatches, Coal Tits, Long Tailed Tits and the tiny mouse-like Tree Creepers can also be seen. The brightly coloured Jay is common in Eastham Woods and in the autumn can be seen collecting acorns. The rhythmic drumming of Great Spotted Woodpeckers and the laughter like 'yaffle' call of Green Woodpeckers echo around the woods in spring. In summer the sharp eyed Sparrowhawk can, be seen circling above the tree tops searching for small birds and at dusk the familiar call of Tawny Owls can be heard throughout the woods.

Mammals

Most of the animals in Eastham Woods are nocturnal and are active at dusk and dawn. Foxes, Hedgehogs, Woodmice and Weasels may be seen searching for food at dusk and several species of bat hunt flying insects around the woods and surrounding grassland. The familiar Grey Squirrel is the most easily seen mammal, being active during the daytime foraging for food.

At Eastham, they have become very tame and will regularly accept food from visitors.

The Mersey Estuary

The cliffs at Eastham Country Park provide superb sites for viewing the flocks of waders and ducks on the estuary.

Twice daily the tide floods in from the Irish Sea covering the sandbanks, mudflats and saltmarsh. As the tide begins to ebb, Dunlin, Redshank, Turnstone and Curlew can be seen below the cliffs feeding amongst the mud and weed. Rafts of Shelduck, Mallard, Teal and Pintail can be seen out on the channel.

The Mersey Estuary is recognised as internationally important for the tens of thousands of birds which overwinter there, particularly the large number of Pintail and Teal. Much of the Estuary is now designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in order to protect this vital wildlife habitat.

Please help to protect and conserve this important habitat and it's wildlife for future generations.

Local History

Since the Middle Ages, a ferry service operated across the river Mersey between Eastham and Liverpool, the early ferries being run by monks from the Abbey of St. Werburgh. By the late 1700's, up to 40 coaches each day arrived at a newly built pier, carrying passengers and goods for the ferry. Paddle steamers were introduced in 1816 to replace the sailboats, but the demand for a service declined in the 1840's with the opening of a railway link between Chester and Birkenhead Woodside Ferry. In 1846, the owner of the ferry, Thomas Stanley, built the Eastham Ferry Hotel and shortly after, the Pleasure Gardens were added to attract more visitors. The gardens were landscaped with Rhododendrons, Azaleas, ornamental trees and fountains. Attractions included a zoo, with bears, lions, monkeys and antelope, an open air stage, tea rooms, bandstand, ballroom, boating lake, water chute and a loop-the loop roller coaster. Entertainers performed in the gardens during summer, and included Blondin, the famous tight-rope walker who once wheeled a local boy across a high wire in a wheelbarrow.

In 1894, the Manchester Ship Canal was opened by Queen Victoria, bringing added prosperity to the area and a Jubilee Arch was built at the entrance to the Pleasure Gardens in 1897 to commemorate her Diamond Jubilee. In its heyday Eastham Ferry was known as the 'Richmond of the Mersey', but its popularity declined during the 1920's and the last paddle steamer crossing took place in 1929. The Pleasure Gardens fell into disrepair during the 1930's and the Iron pier and Jubilee Arch were later dismantled. In 1970, to commemorate European Conservation Year, the area was designated a Country Park and today, it is once more a popular place of recreation.

General Information

Eastham Country Park is situated on the Wirral bank of the River Mersey and provides superb views across the estuary with its abundant birdlife and busy shipping lanes. The 100 acres of broadleaf woodland offers opportunities for peaceful walks, birdwatching and orienteering. A network of surfaced paths provide access throughout the woodland.

A Visitor Information Centre, Rangers office and toilets are situated in the courtyard adjacent to the main carpark (coaches welcome). Picnic areas are provided on the open grassland close to the river and in the Tea Garden which serves refreshments and snacks during spring and summer. Two public houses are situated on the riverfront.

Ranger Service

The Eastham Country Park Rangers are based in the courtyard close to the Visitor Centre. The role of the Rangers is to help you enjoy your visit and to manage the park for the benefit of both visitors and wildlife.

The Friends of Eastham Country Park are a group of people who are committed to helping the Ranger Service to look after and promote the Country Park. If you are interested in joining the Friends, please contact the Rangers Office.

How to get there

Eastham Country Park lies approximately 1 mile from the M53 Motorway junction 5) and is reached locally by the A41 (New Chester Road) and Ferry Road via Eastham Village. Public Transport - the nearest Merseyrail Station is Bromborough (approximately 1 mile distance). A bus services is available along the A41 to Bromborough and Eastham Village to Eastham Ferry. Please ring Merseytravel Telephone: 051-236 7676 for further details.

Further information is available from:

Rangers Office, Eastham Country Park, Ferry Road, Eastham, Wirral, CH62 OBH

Telephone: 0151 327 1007

l Visitor Centre

The Visitor Centre forms part of the courtyard which used to be the stables and out-buildings for the hotel. Following the designation of the Country Park in 1970, the cobble stones were laid in the yard and the blacksmiths forge was brought from Flaybrick Cemetery in Bidston. Further information about the wildlife and history of the area can be seen on display here.

2 Eastham Ferry and Hotel

The Hotel was built by Thomas Stanley in 1846. Along with the adjacent Pleasure Gardens, the Hotel attracted visitors from far and wide. To the rear of the Hotel stood a large ballroom that held regular dances. An elegant Victorian glass veranda on the front of the Hotel symbolised the grandeur of the era. A sandstone jetty opposite the Hotel is the remains of the ferry landing stage built in 1878. The last regular service from here ran in the 1920's. The brass plaque on the plinth was unveiled by the Mayor at the opening of the Country Park in 1970. The small sandstone building close to the jetty was once the ticket office where visitors could buy a ticket for the paddle steamers "Ruby", "Pearl" and "Sapphire".

3 Manchester Ship Canal

Construction of the canal began at the end of the last century to connect industrial Manchester with the busy port of Liverpool. The deep water channel can be seen marked by red and green buoys. The Queen Elizabeth II dock was built after World War II to provide a berth for large ships. Barges, tugs and oil tankers can be watched at high tide entering or leaving the locks.

4 Pleasure Gardens

The Rhododendrons and Laurels in this area are the most visible signs of the Victorian ornamental gardens. The Rhododendrons still provide a spectacular display of colour in late spring. Azaleas, Yew and Monkey Puzzle trees can also be seen here. Amongst the bushes lie the remains of two fountains and a bear pit, once part of the 19th century zoo. The adjacent grass area was the site of the stage and bandstand where entertainers performed.

5 Ivy

Many of the trees in this part of the wood are covered by a dense growth of evergreen Ivy. Ivy is not a parasite and does not damage the trees but simply uses them for support as it climbs towards the light. It provides vital cover for nesting birds, it's autumn flowers attract bees and butterflies and it's berries are an important winter food for wildlife.

6 Beech Grove

A cathedral like atmosphere is created here by the magnificent mature Beech trees. These are not native to the area but were widely planted in the 18th century to enhance the landscape and provide future timber needs. Many of these trees are nearing the end of their life span and are showing signs of old age. Beech nuts or 'mast' are a major source of food for many birds and mammals. The hard outer cases of the nuts cover the ground here in autumn.

7 Wildlife Pond

Sweet Chestnut The wildlife pond is situated on the remains of the Victorian water chute, once part of the pleasure gardens amusements. The pond was constructed in 1992 to provide an all year round water source for wildlife. Trees surrounding the pond were felled to allow light to reach the water and surrounding ground. This has encouraged the growth of pond plants and woodland flowers. Many of the woodland birds can be watched here, drinking and bathing or feeding at the bird table in winter.

8 Long Plantation

The woodlands here contain many Sweet Chestnut trees which produce edible nuts, protected by spiky cases. Many of these trees have been 'coppiced', a traditional form of management that involves cutting down the tree to a stump from which a dense mass of new shoots emerges the following year. After several years these can be cut and used for a variety of woodland products including fencing poles. The sunlit clearings which are created allow the growth of a wealth of wild flowers. The public footpath leading from the woods here is part of an historic route that connects Eastham Ferry and St. Barnabus Church in Bromborough. The spire of the church can be seen on the horizon.

9 Oak Wood

This area is dominated by mature Oak trees, beneath which in spring grows a carpet of Bluebells. Here woodpecker holes can be seen in the dead trees and branches. Woodpeckers feed on the beetle larvae beneath the bark. Small birds such as Blue Tits and Nuthatches, as well as woodland bats may also make use of these holes

10 The New Plantation

This mound was created from the rubble of the Bromborough Power Station which until 1985 stood on adjacent land. Young Oak, Birch, Rowan, Willow and Alder trees have been planted on the mound and Rabbits can often be seen feeding here. From the top there is a superb view of the Mersey Estuary between Liverpool and Runcorn.

11 Jobs Ferry

The large sandstone blocks below the cliff are the remains of Jobs Ferry jetty. A ferry service, carrying goods to Liverpool, is believed to have been sited here from as early as the 15th century. From here, flocks of waders and ducks can be seen in winter feeding on the mud and sandbanks at low tide.

12 The 500 Year Old Oak

This huge Oak is thought to have started it's life during the reign of Queen Elizabeth the First. At this time much of the Wirral would have been wooded. This tree will have been the parent of many of the oaks which grow in this area, the acorns being spread by birds such as Jays. Here the Grey Squirrels have become very tame and will readily approach people in search of food.