Hilbre Island

The island group consists of Hilbre (pronounced HILL-bree) itself, Middle Eye and Little Eye. Walk out to Hilbre or its smaller (and closer) outcrop, Little Eye (be very careful of tides: read guidance on signs near the boathouse, at northern end of the marine lake). A raincoat and wellies or sturdy, waterproof walking boots are recommended for the walk across. To get to the island accepted wisdom is, when the tide is on the ebb to walk from West Kirby from the northern end of the Marine Lake to Little Eye first and then around the "back" of Middle Eye avoiding what can be impassable gullies to the "front" of the islands, and thence to Hilbre itself. Crossing when unsure of the tides can mean, at best, being isolated on the islands until the tide ebbs, or at worst, the risk of being caught between fast flowing tidal gullies. The walker should not be tempted to walk direct to Hilbre from "Red Rocks" at the end of Stanley Rd Hoylake.