Port Sunlight River Park

All the photos on this page were taken during a walk around the Port Sunlight River Park this morning.

The park is an old landfill site that has been turned into an open space on the banks of the river Mersey, for people to enjoy. It gives excellent views across and along the river. There’s a freshwater lake rich in wildlife. There’s a scenic waterfront with a path along it, which also passes through the Shorefields Nature Park. There’s a minor hill with views across the river and the Wirral towards North Wales, well-maintained paths lead up it.

Before conversion the site was an eyesore from across the Mersey in Liverpool and from the historic Port Sunlight Village. It also restricted public access to the river. Apparently, the waste towered up to 37 meters into the air, it attracted flies to the area, and it stunk. The conversion cost £2.4 million.

The site is maintained by volunteers from the Friends of Port Sunlight River Park.

There’s a cafe, run by the local organisation, Autism Together.

Gas from the landfill is extracted and piped to a nearby power plant to be converted to electricity.

I followed the riverside path from Shorefields to the park’s cafe. I was going to have a cup of coffee, but they only sold filter coffee. I then followed one of the paths up the hill before returning to Liverpool. The views from the top are great. Underneath you there is millions of tons of rubbish rotting away.

The park is popular with people out walking their dogs, people out jogging, people just having a walk and people like me, photographers. I was concentrating on taking photos of the river and missed lots of other photo opportunities, I shall have to return to take more photos. When the sun’s a bit stronger and there are no clouds.

All of the above photos look along the river towards it’s mouth.

The river Mersey looking towards Runcorn

Looking towards the ICI works at Runcorn.

Looking towards the ICI works at Runcorn.

One of the many footpaths.

Getting There

I got the bus there and back, the 464 from Liverpool to New Ferry. It takes just over forty minutes and terminates at the Shorefields Nature Park. The River Park is a short walk from the last bus stop. Just walk across the grass towards the river, when you reach the path turn right. There is parking, but not a lot of it. I tried to get there by car earlier this year and failed to find the car park. It’s not easy to find.

Two Pubs on the Way Back

The bus back to town passes the Rose and Crown. This is a Thwaites pub that’s a regular in the Good Beer Guide; it’s well worth a visit. It’s a pub for the community. Last year John and I had an excellent session there after our walk around Shorefields.

It also passes a micro pub called the Hoptimist. I’ve never been there, but it’s in this year’s Good Beer Guide and sounds like the sort of pub I’d like. I’ll have to visit the park again as an excuse to visit it.