Spike Island — Attraction in England

The Tran Pennine Trail goes right through this coastal area so I've split the route into two halves, East and West, using Spike Island as a central point. All trails are firm and well kept but I would recommend stout footwear in the winter months.

At the moment the canal is experiencing issues and is practically drained. Hopefully this situation will be rectified soon but I have taken a bit of author's licence here and included photos taken recently, before these issues began.

To get there use satnav reference WA8 0DG. Car parking is free and there is a cracking Boathouse cafe on site. To follow this route turn right at the canal then cross over the lock gate bridge and keep to the estuary edge. At the end of that path you'll see a Trans Pennine sign to follow up the estuary, underneath the new Gateway Bridge, with good views out over the marshlands. I went up as far as the Future Flower art work and turned around there. Back at the sign, keep the canal on your right and return to the Boathouse. The second leg is to the west, past the unmistakable Jubilee Bridge with the old rail bridge by its side. On this side there are more stunning views of the bridges and the estuary. You can continue along the Trans Pennine Trail as far as you like, I turned around at the steps and smaller foot bridge over...

Easily accessed canal and River Mersey waterfront with a large population of water birds, Swans, Geese, Gulls, Ducks, Coots etc. Bird seed bags available at the Yacht Club office next to the (Excellent) Xena's Cafe. Small kids should be held firmly as the swans though friendly are quite big compared to a kid. They will feed from your hand, but be prepared to have them accidentally grab your fingers, no paying, but might frighten a young child. Best to wear gloves perhaps, or scatter the seed on the floor, not in the canal. Good walking area, part of the Trans Pennine Trail. Great riverscape for photography. UPDATE:- A shadow of it's former self due to a lack of water in the canal, caused by the closure of the power station. The local councils had a few years notice that this would happen, and did nothing. Shame on them. Still a nice place to visit with the cafe and panoramic views, but the birdlife is...

Spike Island is a beautiful short walk around what is a historical location for the area. There are lovely wooded and fielded areas to sit and enjoy the day, you can watch the river Mersey passing under the Mersey gateway bridge or the boats on the canal.

If boats are what your interested in the boat club on the bank of the canal is open to new members, with a food shop open to the public. Or if more historical boats are your thing, just on the far side of the island (at low tide) you will be able to see the shells of several flat boats that used to sail up and down the Mersey carrying supplies.

With a play area, an all weather football pitch for kids and also the Catalyst museum situated off the car park, this is really the perfect...