Days out in 2010 FAMILY DISCOUNT VOUCHERS INSIDE!!

Wirral Days out in 2010 FAMILY DISCOUNT VOUCHERS INSIDE!! Simon Webb

Welcome A secret haven of coast, countryside, wildlife, history, art, theatre and heritage nestled between the River Mersey and the River Dee in North West England, Wirral is waiting to be discovered. Less than 30 miles from beautiful North Wales, historic Chester and the cultural delights of Liverpool, Wirral is perfectly placed for a short break with something of interest for everyone and all you could want for a day out. Whether you are looking for family fun, championship golf courses, action watersports, scenic walks, charming villages, museums, galleries, parks, gardens or contemporary theatre, Wirral will leave you spoilt for choice. In 2010, Wirral will be celebrating a Year of Food and so there is no better time to visit and savour a classic cream tea or a meal in one of our gourmet gastropubs and, unwind at any one of our friendly guest houses or hotels. KEY. Toilets X ing > Café/Restaurant S Shop Tel: 0151 666 3188 VC Visitor Centre < Guide Dogs Only E Baby Changing Cycle Racks - Disabled Access Merseyrail Station Quality Assured Visitor Attraction How To Get Here WAles southport st Helens liverpool M53 WirrAl lime st. liverpool John lennon CHester BY RAIL If you are travelling to Wirral by train, a local rail network connects to the national rail network via Liverpool Lime Street Station. For rail timetables and regularly updated rail news, call Merseytravel on 0151 227 5181 or visit www.merseytravel.gov.uk For national rail enquiries, visit www.nationalrail.co.uk BY ROAD The M53 motorway forms the spine of Wirral and connects to the M56, which in turn meets the M6. Widnes M56 Tel: 0870 608 2 608 (Traveline Merseyside 8am- 8pm 36 days a year) M6 Wigan Warrington Crewe Bolton Crewe MAnCHester M6 M56 stockport Manchester Both Liverpool and Chester are around 30 minutes drive away, Chester via the motorway, and Liverpool by one of two tunnels, either the Kingsway (Wallasey), or Queensway (Birkenhead). Tunnel charges apply. BY FERRY A direct cross-river service operates between Liverpool, Birkenhead and Seacombe/ Wallasey, 7 days a week. For timetables please call 0151 330 1000. Norfolk Line ferries, operate from Birkenhead s Twelve Quays terminal. For more information, routes and schedules, visit www.norfolkline.com. The Williamson & The Priory The Williamson Art Gallery houses one of the best art collections in the North West of England featuring British watercolour paintings and decorative art collections including Liverpool Porcelain and Birkenhead's Della Robbia Pottery. Always on show is the largest single display of ship models in the area, focusing on Cammell Laird shipbuilders, their contribution to marine history and the Mersey Ferries. In addition to the permanent collection a great effort is put into a programme of temporary exhibitions featuring local artists. Tuesday to Sunday & Bank Holidays 10am-5pm. Closed between Christmas & New Year..XS <- Nearest rail station: Birkenhead Priory is home to the oldest chapel on Merseyside, still in use, providing an oasis of calm in what is now an industrial setting. Benedictine monks lived here four centuries ago, tending to travellers, farming the land and operating the Mersey Ferry. St Mary s Tower provides wonderful views of the Liverpool skyline and stands as a memorial to the submarine HMS Thetis that sank in Liverpool Bay in 1939 with the loss of 99 lives. Summer Wed-Fri 1pm-5pm Winter Wed-Fri 12noon-pm. Weekends 10am-pm.. X S <- (Priory limited) Nearest rail station: Hamilton Square Tel: 0151 652 177 email: williamsonartgallery@wirral.gov.uk Williamson Art Gallery, Birkenhead CH3 UE Birkenhead Priory, Birkenhead CH1 5JH 1 1a Wirral Archives Service Wirral Archives Service cares for and offers public access to thousands of historical records relating to Wirral s past. Researchers are welcome to consult original documents and other sources free of charge. The Service can provide records for those interested in family history, local history, and maritime and industrial history. In 2008 the Service relocated to a state-of-the-art facility, based in the Cheshire Lines building on Canning Street in Birkenhead, not far from Hamilton Square Station. Wirral Archives Service also provides talks, group visits, school visits, and monthly Saturday morning workshops, on a variety of family and local history topics. Simply contact the Archivist for further details. Monday to Friday, 9.30am-.30pm Saturday, 10am-1pm. Please note that access to Wirral Archives Service is via Shore Road. There is no public parking available at Cheshire Lines, but there are car parks at Bridge Street, Woodside and Elgin Way..XS - access & WC Nearest rail station: Hamilton Square Tel: 0151 606 2929 email: archives@wirral.gov.uk Cheshire Lines Building, Canning Street, Birkenhead, Wirral CH1 1ND 2 Mere Brook House Brian Mellor at Claremont Kitchen Win a gourmet retreat in Wirral with Mere Brook House & Claremont Farm Kitchen Celebrated for its coast, countryside and award winning farmer s market, enter our competition for a chance to taste the delights of Wirral for yourself. Simply answer the question below to enter the competition to win a luxury bed and breakfast stay in Mere Brook House s stunning balcony room and two places on a Claremont Farm Kitchen cookery course of your choice (subject to availability). Where in Wirral is Claremont Farm Kitchen? Is it? a) Bebington b) Hoylake c) Wallasey Please send your entry on a postcard with your name and address and where you picked up this leaflet to: Wirral 2010, Destination Marketing, Wirral Council, North Annexe, Brighton Street, Wallasey, Wirral CH 8ED or fill in your entry online at /WAP All entries to be submitted by 31 October 2010* *The winner will be chosen at random from all the entries by the competition organisers on 1 November 2010. The winners will be notified by post. There is no cash alternative. For full terms and conditions please see /WAP www.merebrookhouse.co.uk www.claremontfarm.co.uk www.merseytravel.gov.uk www.wirral.gov.uk under Leisure and Culture 133MAR10SK

Mersey Ferries Lady Lever Art Gallery Floral Pavilion 3 5 6 A ' for the People' was the aim of Joseph Paxton when he designed as the first publicly funded park in the world in 187. Just as important now as it was then it was declared a Grade I Historic in 1995 by English Heritage. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the play area, stroll, cycle, jog, fish and can play a variety of sports. Cappuccino s coffee shop at the information centre provides a sheltered place to relax and unwind and hosts a varied programme of events and exhibitions. Please call for further information. Open daily from dawn to dusk. Visitor Centre open daily 9.30am-pm. Closed 2 & 25 December and 1 January.. Tel: 0151 652 5197 email: birkenheadpark@wirral.gov.uk Drive, Birkenhead, Wirral CH1 HY. X>VC - There is no better way to experience Wirral than from the deck of the famous Mersey Ferry. Take the ferry as part of the BIG Mersey Adventure to learn about the area s fascinating history and to see its spectacular sights. Combine your ferry trip with a visit to Spaceport, our space themed attraction at Seacombe ferry terminal or the U-boat Story, a World War II U-boat and visitor centre at Woodside ferry terminal. Ferries sail daily from Woodside, Seacombe and Liverpool Pier Head terminals. Please visit our website or call for further timetable information and prices. Hamilton Square for Woodside Ferry Terminal. James Street for Pier Head Terminal, Liverpool. Tel: 0151 330 1000 Victoria Place, Seacombe, Wallasey Wirral CH 6QY.X>S -<E One of the most beautiful collections of fine and decorative arts in the UK, nestled in Port Sunlight village. Home to world class masterpieces including British 18th and 19th century paintings by Millais, Rossetti, Gainsborough, Turner and Constable, English furniture dating from the 16th century, Wedgwood and Chinese porcelain displays. Changing temporary exhibition displays and a varied events programme throughout the year means there is always something new to see or do at the gallery. The refurbished Activity Rooms provide a space for our younger visitors to play and create their own artworks and for the family to discover together the amazing William Hesketh Lever. Open daily: 10am-5pm. Closed 25, 26 December and 1 January. Bebington. Tel: 0151 78 136/0151 78 178 (group bookings) email: ladylever@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk Port Sunlight Village, Wirral CH62 5EQ Simon Webb The Floral Pavilion Theatre and Conference Centre is Wirral s premier entertainment venue. With the original theatre dating back to 1913 this exceptional venue offers the perfect blend of a heritage rich destination and up to the minute facilities. Shows include challenging drama, live music, dance, children s entertainment, large scale musicals and pantomime. The Panoramic Lounge is an open airy space with breathtaking views of the Mersey estuary, perfect to relax in with refreshments from the Floral café. Free music events are held at lunchtime throughout the year. Box office open Monday to Saturday 11am-6pm New Brighton. Tel: 0151 666 0000 The Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton CH5 2JS.XS - access & WC Wirral s Year of Food From our very own Michelin Star restaurant, to rustic pubs, and multi-award winning tea rooms, Wirral has fantastic places to eat. In 2010 there will be a year long celebration of the quality and diversity of food in Wirral. Join us for brand new events throughout the year, with celebrations culminating in the Port Sunlight Christmas Food Fair in December. For a full programme of activities click /food or call 0151 666 3188 for a copy of the Wirral Good Food Guide.. X>S -<E www.wirral.gov.uk www.thebigmerseyadventure.co.uk www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk www.floralpavilion.com

Special Offers & Discounts Port Sunlight Museum & Garden Village Port Sunlight is a uniquely beautiful garden village created by William Hesketh Lever in 1888 for his Sunlight Soap factory workers. Port Sunlight Museum lies at the heart of the village opposite the art gallery. Step inside to discover Lever s vision and what it was like to live and work here during the Village s heyday through historic displays and hands-on interactives. Designated a Conservation Area, the village consists of over 900 Grade II listed buildings including a boutique hotel, community theatre, holiday cottages (enquire at the Museum), beautiful landscapes, gardens and public monuments. New for 2010 The Edwardian Tea Rooms experience, plus be a part of our full programme of events including family fun activities, evening lectures, village tours, Port Sunlight Festival and the Christmas Food Fair. Visit our website for details. Open Daily 10am-5pm. Closed 25 and 26 December and 1 January. A small admission charge applies to the Museum. Nearest rail station: Bebington or Port Sunlight Tel: 0151 6 666 email: info@portsunlightvillage.com 23 King George s Drive, Port Sunlight, Wirral CH62 5DX.EX>S - access Registered Charity No. 107713. Registered company no. 3719976. Voirrey Embroidery Centre Voirrey Embroidery is a specialised independent needlework Centre, beautifully situated in old farm buildings in the heart of rural Wirral. It offers a select and international range of products and is a mecca for needleworkers from far and wide. The Centre offers free textile related exhibitions, (including the renowned Annual Customers Exhibition), throughout the year and a series of very popular workshops both for the beginner and the more experienced. Not just a shop but a complete needlework experience! Open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-5pm. Open until 8pm on the first Thursday of the month. Closed Good Friday, 25 & 26 December and 1 January. Nearest rail station: Heswall or Eastham Rake. Drivers exit the M53 at Junction and take the A5137 (Heswall). Tel: 0151 32 351 email: mail@voirrey.com Brimstage Hall, Brimstage, Wirral CH63 6JA.X>S < - Disabled access limited to ground floor only and toilets. Ness Botanic Gardens 7 8 9 The stunning 6 acre gardens have won a succession of awards including winner of a coveted RHS Gold Medal display garden at the RHS Flower Show at Tatton. The Visitor Centre provides a warm welcome to this 'Cheshire Garden of Distinction', which is open all year around and includes an extensive gift shop which has a range of jewellery, china, children s, books and plants to suit all ages and pockets. Our 'Four Seasons Cafe' serves a selection of seasonal homemade meals, snacks and afternoon teas. An extensive events programme runs throughout the year including guided walks, outdoor theatre, musical recitals, Sunday lectures and children's half term activities. Pre-booked guided tours are available for groups and the Gardens have facilities for Civil weddings and family functions. Open daily 10am-5pm (February to October) and 10am-.30pm (November to January) Closed 25 & 26 December. Admission charges apply. Nearest rail station: Hooton Drivers exit the M53 at Junction, from North Wales follow A50. Tel: 0151 353 0123 email: nessgdns@liv.ac.uk Neston, South Wirral CH6 AY. E X>S - VC < Some steep gradients. Peter Corcoran Church Farm 10 Fun for all the family. Church Farm is an organic working farm, with friendly animals and a play area including a maze, go-karts, slides and a sandpit. There is a farm shop selling home-grown and locally produced organic fruit and vegetables, plus the cosy Munch coffee shop. Stroke a guinea pig, feed a goat, ride on the tractor and take a walk to see the scarecrows and the beautiful views. Kids love the Easter Egg Hunt and Santa Experience events, whilst the bloodchilling Scareshow is a Halloween must for adults and children. A Church Farm children s party is a memorable way to celebrate and the farm hosts educational visits, tailored to each school s curriculum. Winner of 2009 Wirral Tourism Award, and 2009 North West Fine Food award for Best Vegetable (asparagus). Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am-5pm and Bank Holiday Mondays. Closed between Christmas and New Year. Admission charges apply. See the website or call for more details. Nearest rail station: West Kirby or Heswall. By car: Church Farm is on the A50 between West Kirby and Heswall, follow the brown signs. Tel: 0151 68 7838 email: sales@churchfarm.org.uk Church Lane, Thurstaston, Wirral CH61 0HW. E X>S - VC < Mersey Ferries ONE CHILD FREE with a full paying adult on tickets purchased before noon. Applies to Mersey Ferries River Explorer Cruise, Spaceport entry and U-boat Story entry and any joint ticket combinations of these attractions. Offer from 1 April 10 to 1 April 11. Port Sunlight Museum & Garden Village ONE CHILD FREE with a full paying adult. Ness Botanic Gardens ONE CHILD FREE with a full paying adult. Floral Pavilion Theatre Save 10% OFF in Floral Shop (not valid on sale items or in conjunction with any other offer) Church Farm FREE REFILLS Free regular tea or Americano coffee refills in Munch coffee shop. www.portsunlightvillage.com www.voirrey.com www.nessgardens.org.uk www.churchfarm.org.uk Applies Wednesday to Friday. One voucher per customer.

IRISH SEA H o yla k e A50 North Wirral Coastal A553 Leas o w e J2 A55 J1 A553 N e w Brighton W allas e y A5027 3 Bi rk enhead 1 Tr anme r e A552 6 A551 2 1a A1 Liverpool Key 1 1a 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Williamson Art Gallery & Museum Birkenhead Priory Wirral Archive Service The BIG Mersey Adventure Lady Lever Art Gallery Floral Pavilion Theatre & Conference Centre Port Sunlight Museum & Garden Village Voirrey Embroidery Centre Ness Botanic Gardens Church Farm Mere Brook House Claremont Farm and Kitchen W est Kir b y Royden Arrowe Country J3 R ock F e r ry Thurstaston Common A50 Thurstaston 10 A551 M53 5 7 P o r t Sunlight B e bington RIVER MERSEY Train route Train station Motorway A-road Wirral Country He s w all 8 B r imstage J 11 12 A1 Eastham Country RIVER DEE A50 Eastham Crown copyright. All rights reserved Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council Licence 100019803, 2010 visit or call 0151 666 3188 for further details. gate 9 Neston J5 J6 J7

A selection of Wirral Events If you are looking for something to do while you are in the area, there is a wide range of events and experiences to discover in Wirral, whenever you choose to visit us. Highlights for 2010 include: Wallace & Gromit in Space Exhibition From Thursday 25 March Spaceport Tel. 0151 330 1333 www.spaceport.org.uk Dürer & Italy Exhibition Friday 28 May - Sunday 26 September Lady Lever Art Gallery Tel. 0151 78 136 www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk Wirral International Kite Festival Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 June The Dips, New Brighton Tel. 0151 691 8269 www.visitwirrral.com Port Sunlight Festival Sunday 25 July Tel. 0151 6 666 www.portsunlightvillage.com Wirral Food & Drink Festival Sunday 29 & Monday 30 August Claremont Farm, Bebington www.wirralfoodfestival.co.uk Hoylake Royal National Lifeboat Institution Open Day Monday 30 August Hoylake Promenade Tel. 0151 666 3188 Wirral Golf Classic Monday 13 - Friday 17 September Caldy, Heswall, Wallasey & Royal Liverpool golf courses Tel. 0151 625 999 www.wirralgolfclassic.co.uk Festival of Transport Saturday 18 - Sunday 19 September Tel. 0151 652 5197 www.bheadtransportfest.com Scareshow October Church Farm, Thurstaston Tel. 0151 68 7838 www.churchfarm.org.uk International Guitar Festival of Great Britain November Wirral venues Tel. 0151 666 0000 www.bestguitarfest.com IllumiNESS November Ness Gardens Tel. 0151 666 0000 www.nessgardens.org.uk Christmas Food Fair Saturday & Sunday 5 December Port Sunlight Village Tel. 0151 6 666 www.portsunlightvillage.com A full events list can be found at