One of the joys of the Mersey Estuary in Liverpool, Wirral and Cheshire is that there are many unexpected sights, such as a castle, a windmill, a pagoda and a transporter bridge. I thought I would share some from ‘The Mersey Estuary: A Travel Guide‘ and some others here too.
Liverpool waterfront. One of the most beautiful sights in the world, Liverpool’s waterfront, seen here from Port Sunlight River Park, another great place to visit.
Liverpool’s Mountain. This sculpture called Liverpool Mountain was created by the artist Ugo Rondinone. It was installed in 2018 alongside Tate Liverpool at Royal Albert Dock and is more than ten metres tall.
Warrington Transporter Bridge. This transporter bridge in Warrington is one of only eight left in the world, and there is an active campaign to see it restored. There were once three across the Mersey, two in Warrington and a much larger bridge across the Runcorn Gap between Widnes and Runcorn.
Dunlin murmurations. In winter with luck you may see dunlins or knots perform an amazing aerial dance called a murmuration. Pickerings Pasture near Widnes is one possible viewpoint or, as in this photo, along the north Wirral coastline, just outside the estuary.
Ocean-going ships in Warrington. Warrington once had a port on the Mersey and ocean-going ships still pass Liverpool on route to Warrington and Manchester via the Manchester Ship Canal. This ship is entering Latchford Locks in Warrington.
Mermaid Trail. This sculpture of a mermaid is one of five in the New Brighton Mermaid Trail. It is based on an 18th century legend and was created by local sculptor Barry Canning-Eaton.
Starling murmurations. During late autumn and winter, starlings often gather together towards dusk, and here are pictured near the Silver Jubilee Bridge between Runcorn and Widnes. The bridge has a similar design to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
A cross between a lamb and a banana? This original superlambanana in Liverpool was designed by Japanese artist Taro Chiezo, and stands 5 metres tall. It inspired smaller replicas around the city, including several at Liverpool waterfront.
Red squirrels. On the Sefton Coast, where the Mersey Estuary meets the sea, the pinewoods of the National Trust’s Formby reserve shelter one of the few remaining red squirrel populations in the region. Read more on the estuary’s wildlife here.
Bidston Windmill. There has probably been a windmill at Bidston Hill near New Brighton since the 16th century and the present structure was used for milling flour from 1800 to 1875.
Hale Giant. This statue in Hale commemorates John Middleton, the so-called Hale Giant, who was born in the 16th century and stood more than nine feet tall.
Pirates on the Mersey? The Black Pearl is a community art installation near New Brighton, built from driftwood to resemble a pirate ship. It is seen here a few years ago, with Liverpool waterfront in the distance.
A Chinese pagoda. This pagoda is at Liverpool Festival Gardens, which were created for the 1984 Liverpool International Garden Festival, which attracted more than three million visitors. Some visitors arrived by special Mersey Ferry services laid on for the occasion.
A castle. The ruins of Halton Castle lie on a sandstone outcrop in Runcorn with great views towards Widnes, Warrington and beyond. The first defences were probably built in the 11th century although the present-day remains are from a later period.
A radar tower. This unusual structure at Crosby Beach once housed the control centre for the port, and is seen here behind one of the Another Place statues: a hundred cast iron men gazing out to sea.
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Mersey Tidal Bore. On the highest tides, an amazing wave called a tidal bore sometimes travels upstream from near Hale Head to Warrington. Here it has just passed the Silver Jubilee Bridge between Runcorn and Widnes. Read more about tidal bores here.
Many of these photographs are from The Mersey Estuary: A Travel Guide. This describes places to visit around the estuary and its history, environment and wildlife, including walking and cycling routes and many unexpected sights in Liverpool, Wirral and Cheshire. See www.troubador.co.uk for more information including media news (see ‘Author News’), book reviews and a short video about the book.