Extract: The Mersey Estuary: A Travel Guide by Kevin Sene

Today I have something a little different for you, an extract from The Mersey Estuary: A Travel Guide by Kevin Sene.

Stretching for around thirty miles to the coast, the Mersey Estuary is perhaps best known for Liverpool’s spectacular waterfront and the Mersey Ferry. But there are many other hidden gems along its shores, including waterside parks, sandy beaches and poignant reminders of the days of steamships and sail.

The Mersey Estuary is hugely varied. Docks and industrial works sit alongside nature reserves and waterside parks. Even its appearance is transformed during the day as mudflats and sandbanks are covered by the incoming tide.

The headwaters lie in the hills of the Peak District, but the tidal influence begins in Warrington. Here a tidal bore arrives on the highest tides, and there are many signs of the town’s seafaring past.

Approaching Widnes and Runcorn, sandstone outcrops force the Mersey through the Runcorn Gap, site of the impressive Silver Jubilee Bridge. Nearby are medieval Norton Priory and Halton Castle, while the Catalyst Science Discovery Centre explores the more recent industrial past.

The wide areas of mudflats beyond are important feeding grounds for migrating birds and are best seen from reserves on the northern shores. There are more expansive views from hills to the south. 

The estuary then narrows again between Liverpool and Birkenhead where sights include Albert Dock, Birkenhead Priory and the iconic Three Graces, along with the Mersey Ferry.

The coast is first reached at the seaside resort of New Brighton and the estuary finally ends at Formby Point, an area of sand dunes, beaches and pinewoods, with a population of red squirrels.

About this guide

This guide suggests places to visit around the estuary with a maritime theme, from its uppermost reaches in Warrington to the coast at New Brighton and Formby Point. As well as the better known attractions, it includes a host of destinations relating to the history, environment and wildlife of the area. These will be of interest to local residents and visitors alike. The Listings sections later highlight some examples.

The book is divided into two main sections, each with three chapters. Part One, Places to Visit, describes sights along the Liverpool, Wirral and Cheshire shorelines and in the Upper Estuary between Runcorn, Widnes and Warrington. It includes indicative route maps and descriptions for fifteen walks and cycle rides, ranging from trips of a couple of hours to a full day out. Brief summaries appear throughout on topics of general interest, such as the histories of the Mersey Ferries, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, and the three transporter bridges which once spanned the Mersey.

Part Two, Estuary Themes, describes the natural and maritime history of the estuary. Chapter 4, Rivers and Tides, considers topics related to the natural environment, such as the underlying geology, efforts to clean up pollution, and the pioneering work on tidal prediction in the region. Visit suggestions include trips to the source of the Mersey and one of the lost rivers of Liverpool. It also has useful tips on estimating tide times and viewing the Mersey Tidal Bore.

Chapter 5, Maritime Connections, looks at the history of the Port of Liverpool and the various docks upstream at Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Widnes and Warrington. It also describes canal links to other towns and cities, including the Manchester Ship Canal. Current operations are also considered, such as the popularity of Liverpool as a cruise ship destination and the navigational challenges in the estuary. Suggestions for places to visit include former lighthouses and reminders of the overhead railway that once stretched the length of the docks.

Chapter 6, Wildlife, considers the marine life and waterbirds found around the estuary and the habitat and nature reserves on its shores. Insights are also included into the life cycle of the salmon, spectacular bird displays called murmurations, Liverpool’s famous Liver Birds and the peat bogs that once lined the valley floor. As well as ideas for places to visit, it includes tips on birdwatching, bird photography and spotting seals, dolphins and porpoises around Liverpool Bay.

The Further Reading sections at the end of each chapter suggest places to look for more information, including the original sources for the quotations that appear throughout.

Kevin Sene is a scientist and writer with an extensive knowledge of the maritime history, wildlife  and environment of the estuary, and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. 

Now based in  Edinburgh, he is a regular visitor to the area having lived in Warrington for many years, and also posts  articles on the Mersey Estuary, Cumbria and beyond at https://www.meteowriter.com.