The Mersey Estuary - Kevin Sene

 

Description

Stretching for around thirty miles to the coast, the Mersey Estuary is perhaps best known for Liverpool s spectacular waterfront and the Mersey Ferry. But there are many other hidden gems along its shores, including waterside parks, sandy beaches and poignant reminders of the days of steamships and sail.

The Mersey Estuary: A Travel Guide provides suggestions for places to visit along the estuary, from its upper reaches in Warrington to where it meets the sea at New Brighton and the Sefton Coast. Along the way, the book calls in at Widnes, Runcorn, Ellesmere Port, Port Sunlight, Birkenhead, Liverpool and Formby Point, and includes an interesting mix of walks and cycling routes, ranging from a couple of hours to a full day out. Readers will also discover some less well-known sights, including lighthouses, a castle, medieval buildings, and a transporter bridge, one of only eight left in the world.

For those interested in the history, environment and wildlife of the estuary, there is also an introduction to its nature reserves, geology, canals and bird life. Other topics include the development of the Port of Liverpool, including its famous Liver Birds, and how the estuary has been cleaned up in recent decades so that even salmon have returned. There are also tips on birdwatching and photography and on where to see seals and the Mersey s little-known tidal bore.

With stunning colour photographs, The Mersey Estuary: A Travel Guide is a must-read for travellers to the area and local residents alike.

Review

I love Liverpool and have visited several times for work and pleasure, often going to and from Birkenhead. When walking around Liverpool I always use the Radio City Tower as my identifier of where I am, as you can see it from most places. But I would love to go further afield, but where and how?

This is where this book comes in as an invaluable guide to not only Liverpool but the surrounding area too. The book contains walking and cycling routes with a guide to what events are on each year and the time to visit. 

Over the years I have been told by colleagues that the Wirral has the most wonderful scenery and wildlife, but again, if you are not a local how do you find it? Well this guide has it all covered. With what wildlife you can see and photos to help you identify them too. 

The book is so full of the most beautiful photography from scenes, buildings, wildlife and even murmurations. It's a joy just to browse through and look at the photographs, some bringing back memories for me. Especially so at the moment, with not being able to go far, I feel like I've had a day out with this book. 

There's also information on the maritime history of the area and of course the legendary Liver Birds. Together with further reading outlined either in the form of another book or online resources. If you love the Mersey area or want to know more about it,  then this is the book for you. I can definitely see some trips being planned to see in person the wonderful places in this guide. 

I'm giving this book a well deserved 5 out of 5 stars. I just can't tell you enough how much I've enjoyed it. My thanks to Random Things Tours and Matador Books for a copy of the book to review.

KEVIN SENE is a scientist and writer with an extensive knowledge of the maritime history, wildlife and environment of the estuary, and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Now based in Edinburgh, he is a regular visitor to the area having lived in Warrington for many years, and also posts articles on the Mersey Estuary, Cumbria and beyond at https://www.meteowriter.com.