Section 17 of 218, King Charles III England Coast Path
Birkenhead to West Kirby
11.5 miles (18.5 km). About 3½ hours, moderate.
Start: SJ 325 908. Finish: SJ 209 869. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Warning: Diversion in place. Part of this route is closed or diverted for now. In Suffolk, the National Trust says the path across Dunwich Heath and its beach is closed after a wildfire, with no pedestrian access. In Somerset, the council says three short sections near the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier (Pawlett, Chilton Trinity and Express Park) are closed for construction works, and a long-term diversion is in place around Hinkley Point C. Source: somerset.gov.uk.
Up and down
Almost flat: about 18 m of climbing and 20 m of descent; highest point 13 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Birkenhead.
- Bus stops
- Seacombe Ferry, 10 m from the start. Directions SJ 325 908Seacombe Ferry/stop A, 30 m from the start. Directions SJ 325 907Seacombe Ferry/stop B, 80 m from the start. Directions SJ 324 907
- Car parks
- Car park, 100 m from the start. Directions SJ 324 907Car park, 150 m from the start. Directions SJ 324 906Car park, 390 m from the start. Directions SJ 321 908
Getting back
The section finishes at West Kirby. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Station
- West Kirby, 360 m from the finish. Directions SJ 213 869
- Bus stops
- MEOLS DRIVE/LINGDALE ROAD, 280 m from the finish. Directions SJ 212 870MEOLS DRIVE/BY CHURCH/SUNDAY SCHOOL, 290 m from the finish. Directions SJ 212 870BANKS ROAD/GRANGE ROAD, 300 m from the finish. Directions SJ 212 868
Planning the King Charles III England Coast Path
- Planning the whole trail: nationaltrail.co.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 85%, earth, rock and mud 8%.
About 11% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 1 gate, 1 flight of steps.
No steep climbs: no kilometre gains more than about 6 m.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
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Something wrong or missing?
Tell us what to change about this section: a wrong distance, a moved start, a path that's closed.