LOCAL
Adjacent to the farm is Royden Park. It is open to the public, with a walled garden, fishing lake and a miniature railway. From Royden Park there are miles of fabulous walks through farmland, heath and woodland and paths to the Wirral Way, a disused railway line that has been turned into a coastal walk and cycle path running 12 miles between West Kirby and Hooton in Chester.
The Wirral Way is part of the Wirral Country Park with nature trails, RSPB sites and wild life. From here the coastal path runs in both directions for the thirty mile perimeter of Wirral.
West Kirby is the local town two miles away, with independent shops, many restaurants, bistros and quirky cafés. There is a municipal sports centre and indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, bowling green, beach and promenade. The salt-water marine lake supports sailing and windsurfing. At low tide you can walk a mile across the sands to Hilbre Islands where there are rare birds and grey seals.
There are seventeen golf venues within ten miles, including the Royal Liverpool, which hosted the British Open Championship in 2006 and 2014.
Birkenhead on the North East Coast of Wirral offers many attractions, including Birkenhead Park, the inspiration for Central Park in New York, Hamilton Square’s fine Georgian architecture, the Williamson Art Gallery, the U-Boat on view at the ferry terminal and the opportunity to board the famous Ferry Across The Mersey to Liverpool.
On the outskirts of Birkenhead is Port Sunlight, founded by Lord Leverhulme as a model village to house the workers in his soap factory – once the largest in the world. It now offers a world class museum and art gallery, beautiful architecture and the Gladstone Theatre.
Liverpool, twelve miles away across the Mersey and a twenty-minute drive, or a bus, ferry or train ride away, offers world class theatres, art galleries, museums, dining and shopping.
Chester, eighteen miles away, is the only city in Britain to retain the full circuit of its ancient city walls. It was a centre for the Roman occupation of Britain and parts of the wall date back to Roman times. There is also a Roman amphitheatre and a museum dedicated to the history of the city.
The Rows, in Chester, are fascinating shopping streets on two stories and there is a cultural complex called Storyhouse with a library, theatre and cinema. Chester racecourse, The Roodee, is the oldest racecourse in England still in use.
Cheshire Oaks, Outlet Centre is famous for discount fashion stores in an open, village setting and the Colosseum leisure centre with cinemas, bowling and restaurants is nearby.
Birch Heys is within easy reach of an excellent choice of places to eat, from Michelin starred to quirky independent bistros and cafes, several within walking distance.