Hilbre Island Things to Do

Want to see what the islands look like right bow??
Well you can as there is a web cam for Hilbre Island :-)
Just click on the link below:
Using th links on this site there is even a slide show availbale.

As you walk around Middle Eye to Hilbre Island you must surely notice the rocks which are a glorious red colour with amazing striations cut into them over the years. The rock is unter Sandstone (also present on the Wirral forming the rocky ridge from West Kirby to Thurstaston). It is thought that the islands were part of the mainland until the end of the last ice-age, about 10,000 years ago. The increased water levels caused by the melting ice cut a channel between West Kirby and what are now the 3 Hilbre Islands .

On Hilbre Island a generator (mound of grass with a low brick chimney) was used to power lights during world war II. This made Hilbre look like a ship and thus attracted german bombers away from Wirral and Liverpool.

Footprints of a prehistoric reptile called CHEIROTHERIUM have been found on Hilbre. Today though you can see grey seals around the islands on the sandbanks in the distance. Many birds flock to the estuary too and this is a good spot for watching bird life.

Don't walk directly to Hilbre as the sand is unsafe - walk towards the left hand island called LITTLE EYE. When you reach Little Eye turn right towards MIDDLE EYE. Middle Eye has lovely grassy paths which you can reach from steps on the right-hand side next to a wave-cut arch in the rocks. On the left-hand side is Smuggler's Cove. The islands were said to be the haunt of smugglers and wreckers long ago.

During the walk to Hilbe Island itself, many rock pools can be seen around - great place for kids to go looking for crabs and to dip their buckets in to see what they can find ;-0