Head to the lighthouse for fun in the North West’s natural environment

England’s beautiful North West is encouraging nature virgins to ease themselves into the natural environment this summer by following the motto of ‘To the Lighthouse’. Their former function and location makes lighthouses some of the best hubs for enjoyment of the natural environment, as demonstrated by two iconic landmarks on the North West coast – the lighthouses at Leasowe, on the Wirral Peninsula, and at St Bees, on Cumbria’s Western coastline.

Heading to Leasowe Lighthouse, on Leasowe Common, in the North Wirral Coastal Park, around a half a mile from the M53, opens up a world of opportunity for outdoor leisure.

The lighthouse is celebrating its 100th anniversary of being out of service on July 15, having been last lit on July 14, 1908. A Heritage Open Day, on July 15, will enable visitors to enjoy a guided tour of this maritime symbol – the oldest brick-built lighthouse in Britain. It is also open from 1pm-4pm on the first and third Sundays of the month during summer.

Visitors climbing the 101-foot tall, seven-floor lighthouse earn their reward once they have climbed the 130 steps. Views of Bidston, Caldy, the Welsh Hills and out over the Irish Sea are stunning vistas for even those knowing little about nature, whilst watching ships out at sea, or heading towards the mouth of the River Mersey brings its own pleasure.

Those who happen to own binoculars can also watch a wide array of birdlife around and about the coastline. Spring brings an abundance of wading birds to the North Wirral coast, the most common being Oystercatchers, Dunlins, Sanderlings, Turnstones, Lapwings, Curlews and Bar-Tailed Godwits.

Right next to Leasowe lighthouse standing water, a wildflower meadow and a reed bed, each tempt particular types of wildlife, whilst to the West the small horse paddock-sized fields are attractive to Wheatears making their Spring migration.

The park is a wonderful place to spend time, boasting four picnic areas, refreshment kiosks, pitch and putt course, walks and even horse riding.

By taking a walk to the Leasowe Sand Dunes area of the park, or driving to the Gunsite Picnic Area car park, visitors can get crabby, exploring rock pools, with net in hand, in search of sea creatures.

This exploratory activity can reveal plaice, flounder, dab and sole, crustaceans such as prawns, shrimps, shore and green crabs, sea-snails like winkles and periwinkles, sea anemones and even starfish at low tide. Seaweed types such as spiral, bladder and serated wrack can also be found, along with the shells of crabs that have moulted and gobies hiding under stones.

St Bees lighthouse, on the West Coast of Cumbria, built in 1822, is no less a hub of things to do in the natural environment. It lies on the only designated heritage coast between Anglesey and the Scottish border - the starting point for Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk. The lighthouse is situated 2.5 miles into this walk, which seems to start by heading off in the wrong direction for those wishing to walk east. Wainwright certainly did not want the keen walker to miss this stretch of coast!

The walk starts at the lovely St Bees beach and is commemorated with an impressive plaque. It then quickly ascends the cliffs of St Bees Head – 300 ft (90m) high in places. Absolutely stunning views accompany passage towards the lighthouse, with both the Isle of Man and Scotland on the horizon.

This coast is rich in heritage and legend. St Bees is named after Irish Princess, Bega, who built a nunnery here in 650, having escaped marriage to a Viking and flung herself on the mercy of the Lord of the Manor. When she requested more land, the Lord said she could have only have this if it were covered in snow the next day – highly unlikely In June. Miraculously, snow arrived right on cue!

St Bees Head, where the lighthouse is situated, is home to a RSPB nature reserve, where England’s only colony of Black Guillemot breed. Puffins, Stonechats, Kittiwakes, Herring Gulls and Red-legged Guillemot also abound.

The cliff-side walk is not hard to tackle, albeit a little close to the cliff edge, and is well worth the effort, for the wonderful views and photo opportunities and the glorious, fresh, sea air.

Diverting down into Fleswick Bay, one mile between St Bees Head and St Bees, enables the visitor to indulge in some of the best beachcombing opportunities in the country. Typical driftwood and shell finds are supplemented by those of interesting, precious gem stones, of many different hues.

Dark caves in the red sandstone cliffs offer pointers to the smuggling heritage of the area, as well as providing the opportunity to see some graffiti left by Victorian visitors who adopted this stretch of coast as their holiday haven.

Taking the coastal walk to the impressive maritime centre of Whitehaven also enables the visitor to learn more about this area’s natural jewels, if they visit the newly refurbished Beacon. Here, powerful binoculars can be trained on the horizon and the interaction of man and nature over the centuries can be fully appreciated across several floors of exhibits. You can even present the weather forecast!

Both the Wirral Peninsula and Cumbria’s West Coast have wonderful accommodation in which to unwind after a day out and about, whether that be in a Victorian bath, where champagne is on ice, or in a spa hotel, where tired muscles can be massaged and revived.

For more information about the Wirral go to visitwirral.com and for details about the Western Lake District go to western-lakedistrict.co.uk or golakes.co.uk.

To find out more about opportunities in North West England’s natural environment, visit naturaleconomynorthwest.co.uk.