Environment and planning
Parks and open spaces
Parks and open spaces - outdoor facilities
Welcome To Wirral
The Dungeon
The Dungeon is a steep sided, wooded valley located on a small stream which flows westerly into the Dee Estuary. It is located between Heswall and Thurstaston and covers an area of approximately 9.25 acres. To the north west of the valley is a small area of heathland which offers excellent views across the estuary to North Wales.
The Dungeon is best reached from Wirral Country Park at Thurstaston, where there is parking, a Visitor Centre, toilets and refreshments available. From here a circular walk takes you along the Wirral Way, up through the Dungeon and onto the footpath to Thurstaston village (see map). From the village you can return to the Visitor Centre via Station Road.
In 1987 the Nature Conservancy Council now English Nature, designated the Dungeon a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) because of its interesting geological exposures. The Dungeon also has a small sheltered woodland, oak scrub and heathland.
The sheltered area of woodland in the stream valley contains a variety of mature trees - Oak, Elm, Beech, Sycamore and Alder. They provide shelter for insects and woodland birds such as the Tawny Owl. Higher up the valley the Alder wood floor is carpeted with Lesser Celandine and Bluebells in spring, giving way to Red Campion and Shepherds Purse in summer.
The lowIand heath to the north west of the valley suffers from exposure to the salt laden estuary winds. The stunted oak and pine exist in the more sheltered areas. On the top bracken and small patches of Heather (Calluna vulgaris) flourish. The heath is used by foxes who take advantage of the bracken and bramble for cover. On tithe maps this area is marked "fox holes", indicating that the area has always been frequented by foxes. Due to its exposed site and thin soils, the heath has never been developed for agricultural use. The bracken gives good cover for small mammals and lizards.
The Triassic system of rocks which was laid down across Wirral 230 million years ago, can be seen in the outcrops and steep sided stream valley of the Dungeon. This rock system is made up of the Tarporley Siltstone Formation of the Mercia Mudstone Group. As you enter the valley, a fault can be seen just as the steep part of the valley sides become narrow. The fault can best be seen by walking up the stream for ten or fifteen feet from the onset of the steep sides. Here the siltstone is faulted against the older Wilmslow Sandstone formation. The rocks in the stream are often very slippery and care should be taken when walking on them.