© Val Burnett
 

The Hilbre Telegraph Lookout building on the main island was built in 1841 and now houses an exhibition relating to the wildlife and history of the Hilbre Islands. Volunteers from The Friends of Hilbre are on duty on special “Friends’ Days” when this building will be opened by them for visitors for some of the stated time {see list below}. Seal watching using the telescope will be available if the weather is suitable.

Please note that members of the public can visit the Hilbre Islands’ Local Nature Reserve throughout the year.

Guided walks by the Rangers can be booked, when available, as advertised in their newsletter on-line. Enquire at Wirral Country Park Tel. 0151 648 4371 (10am – 4pm, 7 days a week).

The Friends of Hilbre volunteers do not guide visitors across the shore to the islands.

Please check the tides before you cross.

For information on tides and group permits (essential but free of charge for groups of 6 and over) please contact: Wirral Country Park (10 – 4pm, 7 days a week).

 Tide times and safe crossing times are posted monthly by the Ranger Service on the notice board at Dee Lane slip way, by the shore, in West Kirby. The ‘safe route’ map to Hilbre is also on the notice board.

Please refer to the section Planning Your Trip To Hilbre to ensure you are familiar with precautions to take when visiting the islands. 

March
Saturday 27    Hilbre Friends’ Day You can cross at any time after 11.30 am GMT
                       and must start back no later than  4.30 pm GMT
                       The hour moves forward on Sunday 28 March 2010

April
Sunday 11       Hilbre Friends’ Day You can cross at any time after 12 noon  BST
                        and must start back no later than 5.00 pm BST

May
Sunday 23       Hilbre Friends’ Day You can cross at any time after 10.30 am BST
                        and must start back no later than  5.00 pm BST

June
Sunday 6         Hilbre Friends’ Day You can cross at any time after  9.30 am  BST
                        and must start back no later than  4.00 pm BST

July
Sunday 4         Hilbre Friends’ Day You can cross at any time after 10.00 am BST
                        and must start back no later than  2.00 pm BST

August
Saturday 21     Hilbre Friends’ Day You can cross at any time after  1.00 pm  BST
                        and must start back no later than  6.00 pm BST

September
Saturday 4       Hilbre Friends’ Day You can cross at any time after 11.00 am BST
                        must start back before 5.00 pm BST

October
Sunday 3         Hilbre Friends’ Day You can cross at any time after 10.30 am BST
                        and must start back no later than  5.00 pm BST

The hour moves back on Sunday 31 October  2010

SAFE CROSSING TIMES BETWEEN WEST KIRBY AND HILBRE
Always start your walk to Hilbre Island from Dee Lane slipway, West Kirby.
Always leave Hilbre Island by the recommended times. 

PLEASE RESPECT THE WILDLIFE
ON THE HILBRE ISLANDS’ LOCAL NATURE RESERVE