Although only about 3½ miles (5½ km) in length, this is a lovely walk throughout. There is a lot of variety, with the shore at Heswall, the peaceful Heswall Fields, the pretty ravine of the Dungeon and the heathland of Heswall Dales. Do try and do the walk at high tide - the views over the Dee estuary are always fine but are greatly enhanced by the presence of the sea. There is a bar cum smart restaurant, Sheldrakes, near the start (end) of the route, a great place to enjoy a drink outside taking in the view. The route involves some not too taxing gradients and includes soft sand, good paths, fields and quiet lanes. Walking boots are desirable.

The relevant Ordnance Survey 1:25000 Explorer map is No. 266. For further information on the locations visited, click on the images.

	Detailed mapping and satellite photography for this walk courtesy of Bing Maps
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Start at the large car park [1] near the end of Banks Road and walk down to the shore, where Sheldrakes bar and restaurant [2] is on the right. Head right along the shore, past many moored boats. The route soon becomes a fine stretch of sand. Look out for a prominent sandy path [3] leading up the embankment by a little stream. Follow this to arrive in the Natural Trust's Heswall Fields.

Keep to the left of the field nearest to the coast. The ground steadily rises and the views open out. Skirt around a clump of scrubbery and head for the far corner of the field [4], where there is a particularly fine vantage point by a fenced-off ravine. Turn inland alongside the hedge with a nice view of Heswall to the right.

To the left you can see the higher ground around the Dungeon. Pass through a gate where there is a clearly defined path to follow. This area is dotted with little ponds. Go through another gate to reach the Wirral Way. Turn left and then shortly right at the sign for the Dungeon. This is a very pleasant path that soon leads you the the dell at the Dungeon [5].

It is worth exploring up the right hand side of the stream for a better look at the rocky landscape, but this is a dead end. At the bottom of the dell, cross over the stream and head up the steps. There is a bench at the top - a nice place to rest and take in the view. Bear right at the top of the steps and keep going uphill, following the path through the trees. At the end, go right along the path signposted to Heswall.

At the end of this path, an ancient looking stone style leads to a track past Oldfield Farm [6] and on to Oldfield Road. Keep along Oldfield Road until you pass a large residential care home on the right. Just after this on the right is the entrance to Heswall Dales. Shortly after the entrance, turn left following the waymarked Wirral Country Park Trail. This descends through a lovely area of heathland before emerging on Bush Way. Go right and then immediately left along Pipers Lane. Turn right along Delavor Road and cross the bridge over the Wirral Way into Banks Road. Follow this back to the start. After dumping your gear in the car, you may now partake of well-deserved refreshments at Sheldrakes.