Index to all the walks on this blog

WALKING THE ENGLISH COAST THE EASY WAY BLOG

INDEX

So that the walk guides can be easily located from previously published posts in the archive they are listed here.

Photos on walks 1-45 and 78 to 112 were ,

‘mashups’ of poorer quality, the rest are better when I acquired a digital compatible camera.

WALK NO TITLE DATE PUBLISHED

LEG ONE BROADSTAIRS TO BERWICK UPON TWEED

1 Broadstairs to Westgate on Sea (Kent) August 2010

2 Westgate on Sea to Herne Bay (Kent)

3 Herne Bay to Faversham (Kent) September 2010

4 Faversham to Sittingbourne (Kent)

5 Queenborough to Minster (Isle of Sheppey) October 2010

6 Warden to The Ferry Inn/Harty Ferry (Isle of Sheppey)

7 Elmley Marshes to Dutchman’s Island (Isle of Sheppey)

8 Circular walk around Chetney Marshes (Isle of Sheppey)

9 Lower Halstow to Gillingham (Medway)

10 Chatham to Rochester via St Mary’s Island (Medway) November 2010

11 Frindsbury to Hoo to St Werburgh on Hoo Peninsula (Medway)

12 Grain, Allhallows on Sea and Yanlet Creek (Isle of Grain-Kent)

13 All Hallows on Sea to Cliffe (Isle of Grain, Kent)

14 Cliffe to Gravesend (Medway) December 2010

15 Tilbury to Stanford Le Hope (Essex)

16 Canvey Island (Essex)

17 South Benfleet to Southend on Sea (Essex) January 2011

18 Southend on Sea to Great Wakering (Essex)

19 Rochford to Wallasea Island (Essex)

20 North Fambridge to Burrnham on Crouch (Essex) February 2011

21 Burnham on Crouch to Tillingham (Essex)

22 Bradwell on Sea to St Lawrence (Essex) March 2011

23 St Lawrence to Maylandsea (Essex)

24 Maylandsea to Goldhanger (Essex)

25 Goldhanger to Tollesbury (Essex)

26 West Mersea to Brightlingsea (Essex)

27 Lee over Sands to Clacton on Sea (Essex) April 2011

28 Clacton on Sea to The Naze (Essex)

29 Kirby Le Soken to Thorpe Le Soken (Essex)

30 Dovercourt, Harwich and Mistley (Essex)

31 Stutton to Chelmondiston (Suffolk) May 2011

32 Nacton to Felixstowe (Suffolk)

33 Felixstowe to Butley (Suffolk)

34 Orford to River Alde opposite Aldeburgh + return + The Maltings June 2011

35 Aldeburgh to Southwold (Suffolk)

36 Kessingland to Lowestoft (Suffolk)

37 Lowestoft to Great Yarmouth (Norfolk) July 2011

38 Great Yarmouth to Winterton on Sea (Norfolk)

39 Sea Palling to Mundesley (Norfolk)

40 Overstrand to Sheringham (Norfolk) August 2011

41 Sheringham to Stiffkey (Norfolk)

42 Stiffkey to Burnham Overy Staithe (Norfolk)

43 Burnham Overy Staithe to Brancaster (Norfolk) September 2011

44 Thornham to Heacham (Norfolk)

45 Kings Lynn to Sutton Bridge (Lincs) October 2011

46 Spalding to Boston (Lincs)

47 Boston to Wrangle (Lincs)

48 Skegness to Chapel to St Leonards (Lincs) November 2011

49 Chapel St Leonards to Mablethorpe

50 Theddlethorpe St Helens to Saltfleet and back (Lincs)

51 Cleethorpes to Immingham (Lincs) December 2011

52 Goxhill Haven to Hessle (Yorks)

53 Hessle to Hull (Yorks)

54 Hedon to Thorngumbald via Paull (Yorks) January 2012

55 Kilnsea to Spurn Head and back (Yorks)

56 Withernsea, Aldbrough, Mappleton, Hornsea, Skipsea (Yorks)

57 Bridlington to Flamborough Head (Yorks) February 2012

58 Flamborough Head to Filey (Yorks)

59 Filey to Scarborough (Yorks)

60 Scarborough to Ravenscar (Yorks) March 2012

61 Ravenscar to Whitby (Yorks)

62 Whitby to Staithes (Yorks)

63 Staithes to Redcar (Yorks) April 2012

64 Middlesborough, North Gare Sands, Hartlepool (Durham)

65 Hartlepool to Seaham

66 Seaham to Sunderland (Tyne and Wear) May 2012

67 Sunderland to South Shields (Tyne and Wear)

68 Newcastle to North Shields (Tyne and Wear)

69 North Shields to Whitley Bay (Tyneside) June 2012

70 Whitley Bay to Blyth (Northumberland)

71 Newbiggin by Sea to Amble (Northumberland)

72 Amble to Craster (Northumberland) July 2012

73 Craster to Seahouses (Northumberland)

74 Seahouses to Belford (Northumberland) August 2012

75 Lindisfarne or Holy Island

76 Opposite Holy Island to Berwick upon Tweed (Northumberland)

77 Berwick upon Tweed to the border with Scotland September 2012

LEG 2 BROADSTAIRS TO LANDS END

78 Broadstairs to Sandwich (Kent)

79 Sandwich to Dover (Kent) October 2012

80 Dover to Hythe (Kent)

81 Dymchurch to D ungensess (Kent)

82 Camber sands to rye and Winchelsea Beach (East Sussex) November 2012

83 Winchelsea Beach to Hastings (East Sussex)

84 Hastings to Bexhill (East Sussex)

85 Bexhill to Eastbourne (East Sussex) December 2012

86 Eastbourne to Cuckmere Haven (East Sussex)

87 Cuckmere Haven to Newhaven (East Sussex) January 2013

88 Newhaven to Brighton (East Sussex)

89 Brighton to Worthing (West Sussex)

90 Worthing to Littlehampton (West Sussex)

91 Littlehampton to Pagham (West Sussex) March 2013

92 Pagham to Selsey (West Sussex)

93 East Wittering to Bosham (West Sussex) April 2013

94 Bosham to Southbourne (West Sussex)

95 Southborne – Thorney Island – Emsworth (Hants) May 2013

96 Hayling Island (Hants) June 2013

97 Hayling Island to Portsmouth (Hants)

98 Fishbourne to Bembridge (Isle of Wight)

99 Bembridge to Ventnor (Isle of Wight) July 2013

100 Ventnor to Brighstone (Isle of Wight)

101 Brighstone to Alum Bay (Isle of Wight) August 2013

102 Alum Bay to Yarmouth (Isle of Wight)

103 Gurnard Bay to East Cowes (Isle of Wight) September 2013

104 Porchester to Fareham then Hardway to Alverstoke (Hants) October 2013

105 Alverstoke to Bursledon (Hants)

106 Hamble Rice to Southampton (Hants)

107 Hythe, Calshot, Lepe and Bucklers Hard (Hants) November 2013

108 Lymington to Barton on Sea (Hants) December 2013

109 Barton on Sea to Christchurch (Dorset) January 2014

110 Christchurch to Bournemouth (Dorset)

111 Bournemouth to Poole (Dorset) February 2014

112 Brownsea Island and Sandbanks to Swanage (Dorset)

113 Swanage to Worth Matravers (Dorset) March 2014

114 Worth Matravers to Kimmeridge Bay (Dorset)

115 Kimmeridge Bay to Lulworth Cove (Dorset) April 2014

116 Lulworth Cove to Weymouth (Dorset)

117 Weymouth and Portland (Dorset) May 2014

118 Weymouth to Abbotsbury (Dorset) June 2014

119 Abbotsbury to Bridport (Dorset) July 2014

120 Bridport to Charnmouth (Dorset) August 2014

121 Lyme Regis to Seaton (Devon) September 2014

122 Seaton to Sidmouth (Devon) October 2014

123 S idmouth to Budleigh Salterton (Devon)

124 Budleigh Salterton to Lympstone, Topsham plus A La Ronde. November 2014

125 Exeter to Starcross (Devon) December 2014

126 Starcross to Teignmouth (Devon) January 2015

127 Teignmouth to Torquay (Devon)

128 Torquay to Brixham (Devon) February 2015

129 Brixham to Kingswear (Devon) March 2015

130 Dartmouth to Torcross (Devon) April 2015

131 Torcross to East Portlemouth May 2015

132 Salcombe to Thurlestone (Devon) June 2015

133 Thurlestone to Bigbury on Sea (Devon)

134 Mothercombe to Erme Mouth and Wembury (Devon) July 2015

135 Wembury to Plymouth (Devon)

136 Plymouth to Saltash (Cornwall)

137 Plymouth to Millbrook (Cornwall)

138 Millbrook to Seaton (Cornwall) August 2015

139 Seaton to Polperro (Cornwall)

140 Polperro to Fowey (Cornwall) September 2015

141 Fowey to St Austell (Cornwall)

142 St Austell, Megavissey, Gorran Haven (Cornwall) October 2015

143 Gorran Haven to Portloe (Cornwall)

144 Portloe to Falmouth (Cornwall)

145 Falmouth to Helford Passage (Cornwall) November 2015

146 Helford Passage to St Keverne (Cornwall)

147 St Keverne to Lizard (Cornwall)

148 Lizard to Mullion (Cornwall)

149 Mullion to Praa Sands (Cornwall)

150 Praa Sands to Marazion and St Michaels Mount (Cornwall) December 2015

151 St Michaels Mount to Penzance and Newlyn (Cornwall)

152 Newlyn to Porthcurno (Cornwall)

153 Porthcurno to Lands End (Cornwall)

THIRD LEG LANDS END TO BRISTOL

154 Lands End to St Just (Cornwall)

155/156 St Just to Zennor and Zennor to St Ives (Cornwall) January 2016

157 St Ives to Hayle (Cornwall)

158 Hayle to Portreath (Cornwall)

159 Portreath to Perranporth (Cornwall)

160 Perranport to Newquay (Cornwall)

161 Newquay to Mawgan Porth (Cornwall)

162 Mawgan Porth to Constantine Bay (Cornwall) February 2016

163 Constantine Bay to Padstow (Cornwall)

164 Rock to Port Issac (Cornwall)

165 Port Issac to Tintagel (Cornwall)

166 Tintagel to Crackington Haven (Cornwall)

167 Crackington Haven to Bude (Cornwall)

168 Bude to Morwenstow (Cornwall)

169 Morwenstow to Hartland Quay (Devon) March 2016

170 Hartland Quay to Clovelly (Devon)

171 Clovelly to Westward Ho! (Devon)

172 Westward Ho! To Bideford (Devon)

173 Bideford to Barnstaple (Devon)

174 Barnstaple to Woolacombe (Devon) April 2016

175 Woolacombe to Ilfracombe (Devon)

176 Ilfracombe to Coombe Martin (Devon) May 2016

177 Coombe Martin to Lynton (Devon)

178 Lynmouth to Porlock Weir (Somerset)

179 Porlock Weir to Minehead (Somerset)

180 Minehead to Watchett (Somerset)

181 Bridgewater and Combwich cicular walk (Somerset) June 2016

182 Highbridge to Weston super Mare (Somerset)

183 Clevedon to Portishead, Severn Beach and Bristol July 2016

FOURTH LEG GRETNA GREEN TO CHESTER

184 Gretna Green to Carlisle (Cumbria)

185 Carlisle to Bowness on Solway (Cumbria)

186 Bowness on Solway to Anthorn (Cumbria) August 2016

187 Skinburness – Silloth – Maryport (Cumbria)

188 Maryport to Workington (Cumbria)

189 Workington to Whitehaven (Cumbria)

190 Whitehaven to Sellafield (Cumbria) September 2016

191 Sellafield to Bootle Station (Cumbria)

192 Bootle Station to Millom (Cumbria)

193 Askam in Furness to Walney Island and Barrow in Furness (Cumbria)

194 Barrow in Furness to Ulverston (Cumbria) October 2016

195 Grange over Sands, Arnside and Morecambe (Cumbria)

196 Fleetwood to Blackpool (Lancs)

197 Blackpool to Freckleton (Lancs) November 2016

198 Southport to Formby (Lancs)

199 Crosby to Liverpool

200 Liverpool to Cressington December 2016

201 Liverpool to West Kirby (Wirral)

202 Chester

Walk 202 Chester

Walk 202 Chester

(Fourth leg of English coastal walk – Gretna Green to Chester)

Map: L/R 117

Distance: 2 to 4 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Terrain: pavement, cycle path

Access: Parking (paid)

Public transport: Main line train links

Although Chester is not strictly a coastal town I thought it gave a bit of symmetry to finish the walk by walking to the border with Wales. This can be done by following the cycle path marked on the OS map up to the border. I could not find a marker to say ‘Wales’ but there was a lot of work taking place on the banks when I went..

Chester itself, is of course, an interesting place to explore. I will list the ones I enjoyed the most:

The Roman Walls – these are the most complete city walls in the UK. They can be walked around and have some interesting remains from Roman times.

The Queen Victoria Jubilee clock. It is in the Eastgate and is the second most photographed clock in England (behind Big Ben).

The shopping centre called The Rows.

The old and new cathedrals St Werburgh and St Johns.

The Roodee the oldest horse racing course still in use in the UK.

Some interesting pubs.

This is the last post on Walking the English coast apart from an index to the walks.

Walk 201 Liverpool to West Kirby (Wirral)

Walk 201 Liverpool to West Kirby (Wirral)

(Fourth leg of English coastal walk – Gretna Green to Chester)

Map: L/R 108

Distance: 14 miles or 23 km approx

Difficulty: Easy, flat.

Terrain: pavement, promenade and coastal path

Access: Parking in both places

Public transport: Ferry across the Mersey or train to Birkenhead. Train back from West Kirby to Liverpool

It is possible to continue this walk all the way round to Neston and get a train back from there. I did not do this, firstly because it was October and the light would start to go but mainly because the Wirral Country Park path is inland for the most part and is not really coastal.

On arrival in Birkenhead navigate to the river front (if going by train). The white terminal of the Mersey Ferry is prominent. Records show that there has been a ferry since the 12^th century when one was operated by Benedictine monks from their priory here. The area is best known for ship building and related industries. Two tunnels go under the Mersey, a rail one built in 1886 and one for cars etc. in 1934.

Start walking northwards alongside the river. Two landmarks to look out for on this stretch. The impressive Birkenhead Town Hall, now The Wirral Museum, and Birkenhead Park, the first publicly funded park in the UK. Enjoy the promenade with its good views across to Liverpool.

Further along is The Ferry Inn originally part of the Ferry complex of the 1880s. Nearby are information plaques on the wall detailing the ships lost in World War 2 with a connection to Birkenhead.

At the northern most end of the path is New Brighton. In the early 19^th century it had developed a reputation for smuggling, wrecking and tunnels – the latter are said to still exist. New Brighton was founded as a resort in the 1830s and was popular because of its sandy beaches. It had a tower similar to the one in Blackpool but this was dismantled in 1921 due to lack of maintenance. The lighthouse was built in 1927 although it no longer functions and is used as a private residence.

Fort Perch is a clear landmark. It was built as a defence in the Napoleonic era to protect Liverpool. It is now a naval museum.

The walk continues along the north coast for a couple of miles alongside a golf course before coming to The Leasowe Castle Hotel. The older part of this, which can be easily spotted, was built in the 16^th century. A little further along is The Leasowe Lighthouse which was built in 1763. Its construction was prompted by many losses on the sands including a ship loaded with cotton going aground in 1761. It’s cargo was left to rot and with the combination of salt and sand it hardened into a base for the new lighthouse. Nevertheless, it has been closed since 1908. as by that time the sand dunes were considered to be too unstable to support a lighthouse.

A couple of miles further along is Hoylake. Look out for the lifeboat station as it is one of the oldest in the UK having been founded in 1803. The new building opened in 2008 with an impressively sculpted statue/memorial outside. It was from Hoylake that William 111 set sail with his 10,000 strong army for the Battle of The Boyne in Ireland.

The Royal Hotel was built in the town in 1792 with the idea of developing the area as a holiday resort. A race course was laid out in the grounds but it was all demolished in the 1950s. Around the outskirts of the town is the Royal Liverpool Golf Club which has held the British Open. Several well known people have connections with Hoylake including the cyclist Chris Boardman, the actress Glenda Jackson, the actor Daniel Craig, Mike Rutherford of Genesis and Cynthia Lennon.

On the walk between Hoylake and West Kirby is Red Rocks Nature Reserve. The sand dunes provide homes for a variety of flora and fauna including the natterjack toad.

West Kirby is at the mouth of the River Dee. Three islands can be seen across the sands: Little Eye, Middle Eye and Hilbre. Notices warn that incoming tides are dangerous. There is a designated safe crossing when the tide is out to reach the islands and guides organise open days to ensure safety. On the land side are Coronation Gardens and further down on the coast side is a 32 acre lake and paddling pool bordered off from the sea. It was rebuilt in 1985 to provide a better facility.

Photos show: across the Mersey from Birkenhead with ferry terminal; New Brighton Beach and Trench Fort; Lifeboat station at Hoylake; beach at West Kirby.

Walk 200 Liverpool to Cressington (alongside the Mersey)

Walk 200 Liverpool to Cressington (alongside the Mersey)

(Fourth leg of English coastal walk – Gretna Green to Chester)

Map: L/R 108

Distance: 6 miles or 10 km approx

Difficulty: Easy, flat.

Terrain: concrete paved river walk

Access: Parking in both places

Public transport: Frequent trains between Cressington and Liverpool Central.

Although the walk starts near the Liver Building, Liverpool itself has much to offer of interest. At least a day can be spent looking around. I particularly enjoyed the Walker Art Gallery, The Roman Catholic Cathedral (known locally as Paddy’s Wigwam), Liverpool Cof E Cathedral designed by Gilbert Scott and, at 189 metres, the longest in the world, The Slave Museum, Rodney Street (for old photographic NT studio and pyramid tomb), The Philarmonic Pub and Matthew Street (Cavern Club). Some others are mentioned below on the walk.

Soon after The Liver Building is the Liverpool Cruise Terminal – a floating structure oepned in 2007. A bit further along is The Titanic Memorial which is dedicated to the 224 engine room staff who lost their lives. They remained at their posts supplying electricity and other amenities so others could survive. On the land side you cannot miss the impressive Port of Liverpool Building formerly the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board offices. Clad in Portland stone it is a listed building. In front of the building is the statue of Sir Alfred Lewis Jones a shipowner who was the founder of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

Departures for the world famous ferry across the Mersey are on the riverside. Past this point are a number of sculptures to admire. These include: Captain F J Walker 1896-1944 dedicated to him and all those who fought in the Battle of the Atlantic in World War 2; sculptures outside the Museum of Liverpool celebrating 2008 when the city was the European Capital of Culture; the propeller from the Lusitania which was torpedoed in 1915 with the loss of 1201 lives; the Working Horse Monument marking the importance of horses which for 250 years pulled goods around the city; Billy Fury the pop singer who died at 42. Near the Tate Gallery are sculpted figures commemorating the 9 million people who emigrated from Liverpool to the New World. I could go on!

This area, part of the Old Albert Dock, was a complex of buildings opened in 1846. It was a base for the Atlantic Fleet in World War 2. Near here is The Beatles Experience – I did not have time to go in here though.

Continue the walk past the Liverpool Museum (although you will need to wander back away from the river as well to appreciate all that is on offer in this former docks area). On the front is The Old Pilot Office in use between 1883 and 1978. It was the base for the service which is still use today, that of providing a pilot to vessels entering and leaving the Mersey.

Further along is The Liverpool Arena and the Ferris wheel. After this there is less hustle and bustle as the walk passes park land alongside the Mersey. Otterpool Promenade was opened in 1950 and was made by landscaping a waste disposal site. The name derives from the otters that inhabited a tidal creek that joined the River Mersey.

This walk is quite pleasant although the industry at Garston and beyond gets ever closer. You are nearing the end when you spot the large pink sculpture called Sitting Bull near to the river side at Aigburth. This is a sculpture created for a local garden festival in 1984. The walk for this part of t\he coast finishes at Cressington.

Photos show: Working horse sculpture, Albert Dock, Liverpool; part of Albert Dock; Otterpool; Sitting Bull, Aigburth.