Parkgate Walk

Grade: Easy
Distance: 5km/3 miles
Time: 2 hours
Start: Old Baths car park, Parkgate | what3words: ///thin.twist.glee

Map: OS Explorer 266
Terrain: Generally flat along good surfaces (short grass over golf course).
Barriers: 2 kissing gates, no stiles.
Toilets: Several PHs and cafes along the way. Public toilets are also signed off the Parade.

Parkgate, with its tremendous views across the internationally important Dee Estuary towards the Welsh Hills, provides the setting for this fascinating, yet gentle walk.

The town was once a bustling port, but the ships are now a distant memory. The silting of the river has left a rich marsh which, at high tides during the winter months, provides some of the most spectacular bird watching in the North West of England.

At that time of year, the marsh is home to thousands of waders and wildfowl, which in turn attract peregrine falcon, merlin, hen harrier and short eared owl.

This walk follows the line of the old sea wall, with its vista across the estuary. It then moves inland using the route of a disused railway line, now rich in wild flowers and butterflies.

Finally the walk returns along Parkgate's Parade with its pubs, restaurants and shops selling home-made dairy ice cream.