Author Archives: manonabeach

About manonabeach

On a beach…welcome to manonabeach.com, where I’ll regularly add video of my beach visits, so you can enjoy a flavour of the beach, even when you’re not there.

West Kirby Beach

View map of beach Parking available Toilets available Wirral Coastal Walk Red Rocks Marsh Nature Reserve SSSI Dog friendly Easter and Autumn school holidays, bank holidays and all summer Beach cleaned regularly Good water quality for swimming

Season: autumn

West Kirby has a busy beach, but you can find peace and quiet by walking away from the town end, where the water sports are based.  Behind the dunes is salt marsh, this area behind the beach making up the Red Rocks Marsh Local Nature Reserve.  Many birds roost here and are protected during high tides by Dee Estuary Volunteer Wardens.  You can also look out from the beach to Hilbre Island, which is accessible on foot at low tide.  In short, there’s plenty of action by the town and plenty of nature away from it, something for everyone.

Marko’s beach testimony.

A musical connection for Simon.

High tide at West Kirby.

Thurstaston Beach

View map of beach Parking available Toilets available Wirral Coastal Walk Thurstaston Common SSSI Dog friendly

Season: autumn

Thurstaston beach is largely south west facing, comprising sand and shingle.  It looks out over the River Dee and is an estuary beach, so Thurstaston attracts birds and varied marine wildlife, including occasional sightings of basking sharks.  The Dee Sailing Club slipway here is also used by cockle fishermen and pleasure boat operators, so there’s plenty to enjoy as a visitor.  It is also the finishing point for the Wirral Coastal Walk.

What the beach means to Bev and Steve.

Carole and Paul reflect.

A fine afternoon at Thurstaston beach in the Wirral Country Park.

Runswick Bay

View map of beach Parking available Toilets available Cleveland Way Marine Protected Zone SSSI Dog friendly

Season: autumn

Runswick Bay, Viking for “safe haven”, is a picturesque Yorkshire fishing village, located at the end of a valley to the sea, just like Staithes further up the coast. With its sheltered bay and attractive, red-tiled roofs, it’s a magnet for visitors, in and out of season.  One visitor favourite is a white-painted thatched cottage by the sea, a former coastguard’s house.  As well as traditional seaside activities like rockpooling and playing on the beach, this is a great place to hunt for fossils. The beautiful Cleveland Way passes above the village, offering fine views out to sea.  The village is often referred to as “Runswick” and the beach is also known as “Runswick Sands”.  In the wider area, Whitby is just five miles away to the south, with its own thriving tourist attractions and excellent fish ‘n chips.

On the beach with Ginny at Runswick Bay.

A view from above the beach.