Heswall Dales

Opening times

The park is open 24 hours. There are no formal car parks or toilets - car parking being restricted to local road adjacent to access points.

Things to do

  • accessing nature
  • walking
  • dog walking
  • horse riding

Designations

  • Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
  • Local Nature Reserve (LNR)
  • A small part of the site, Bush way, has been locally designated as a Site of Biological Importance (SBI)

Reasons to visit

Heswall Dales has beautiful panoramic views across the River Dee, and has interesting walks and pathways, the sights and smells are unique to Western Lowland Heath environments. The heathland was designated SSSI in 1979 and is one of the best remaining example of lowland heath in Merseyside.

Underlying the Heath is a series of geologically interesting, Triassic sandstone outcrops. The reserve possesses wet and dry heath, with birch and oak scrub, and some plant species which have a localised distribution; together with interesting lizard, butterfly, and invertebrate species this site is a haven for nature lovers.

The dominant plant of the heathland is Heather (Calluna vulgaris) drier areas of heath contain an assemblage of Bell Heather (Erica cinerea) and Western Gorse (Ulex gallii) this latter species has a distinct western distribution in Britain and is of regional significance.

The mosaic of Birch scrub and European Gorse is an important habitat for breeding birds.

Read about the natural heritage at Heswall Dales

Facilities

Rangers office.

Volunteering

The Heswall Dales volunteers meet on Wednesdays at the Rangers Office working alongside the council's South Wirral Team on a variety of environmental and site improvement tasks.

The Friends of Heswall Dales also volunteer working in partnership with Wirral Council to ensure the future of Heswall Dales.

Find out more about the Friends of Heswall Dales and what they offer.

Accessibility for people with disabilities

There is free access at all times. Although there are six access points leading into the reserve, the main route is via Oldfield Road which crosses the heath to Bushway, off Delavor Road.

By its nature, all paths and trails within the site are over rough or uneven ground and may not be suitable for wheelchairs.

Address

Heswall Dales
Oldfield Road
Heswall
CH60 6SN

View on a map

Management plan