: Countryside - weekend walk: Parkgate and Neston.

Byline: John Henderson 

Where is it? A circular walk around Raby, Parkgate and Neston using the Wirral Way, footpaths and lanes.

How do you get there? Starting point is the Wirral Country Park car park (GR 306775) at Lees Lane, Neston, just off the A540 Hoylake to Chester road near the Hinderton Arms.

What's the attraction? This walk is a nice contrast between quiet rural Wirral around Raby and the popular seafront at Parkgate with its fine views of the Welsh Hills.

How long is it? Six to seven miles.Let's go! From the car park turn left along the Wirral Way and, at a wooden bridge, go left up Cuckoo Lane to Chester High Road.

Cross over to Hanns Hall Road and turn left into Quarry Road. Past Roselea turn right at a lane and after a few yards go left through a metal gate and follow the footpath - first along a field edge then through woods to a T-junction where you go right to Raby Village.

At Raby turn left, right and left into Upper Raby Road, cross to a gap on the right of a farm gate and follow the path to Chester High Road. Cross to a wide grass verge and go right to The Runnell.

Walk down The Runnell into Leighton Road and after sharp left and right bends take a path on the right immediately after some houses and at a broad lane go left to a footpath on the right and walk down to the Wirral Way where there is a choice.

For a shorter walk turn left along the Way (note: at Station Road go right, then left).

For a longer walk go under the old railway bridge down to the waterfront and go left along The Parade with views across the marshlands of the Dee Estuary.

Cross over Station Road past the pub to an old slipway, walk round the wall on the left and follow a short lane to Manorial Road. Go right and at the end of the road turn right down a wide track signposted to Old Quay.

Follow the path along the water edge to Old Quay.

Note: At high tide you may have to divert along Old Quay Lane. At the Old Quay turn left, pass the Sewage Works and before reaching Old Quay Lane go right through a kissing gate. Head for a gap in the hedge and keep in the same direction to rejoin the Wirral Way meeting up with the shorter walk.

Turn right, cross over a bridge into Station Road and after passing under the railway bridge go left to walk through a park.

Rejoin Station Road and cross over to the Wirral Way and about 100 yards after the second bridge turn left into the car park at Lees Lane.

Other convenient starting points would be the car park at Station Road, Parkgate, Neston or Raby Village.