The Wirral Peninsula is ten miles long and seven miles wide and
is situated between Wales and Liverpool. Hoylake is located on the
northwest tip of the coast of the Peninsula, between the mouth of
the River Dee estuary and the Irish sea.
The area is conveniently located just 15 minutes drive from the
major town of Birkenhead, 20 minutes from Liverpool (approx 12 miles)
and 30 minutes from the Roman town of Chester (approx 20 miles).
The M53 is approximately a 10 minute drive. Two stations, Hoylake
and Manor Road, provide easy rail access through to West Kirby,
Liverpool and Chester.
The peninsula experiences a moderate climate with higher than average
sunshine and lower than average rainfall.
The name Hoylake was derived from ‘Hoyle Lake’, a channel of water between Hilbre Island and Dove Point. During the 19th century Hoylake, then known as Hoose, was a small traditional seaside fishing village. Since the silting up of the River Dee the fishing industry ceased to be economically viable and today Hoylake is a largely residential town, with a lively town centre nightlife.
A good selection of shops, restaurants and bars are located along
the main
thoroughfare of Market Street which runs between the village of
Meols to the west and the seaside town of West Kirby to the east.
Accommodation is plentiful, both in and around the locality, ranging
from a variety of hotels and guesthouses to camping and caravan
parks.
Hoylake’s extensive promenade stretches from the King's Gap to Meols Parade and eventually to Moreton Shore. There are superb views of Liverpool Bay and on a clear day Blackpool Tower is visible on the horizon.
Hoylake is home to the world class Royal Liverpool Golf Club, which has hosted the British Open and the Walker Cup. The British Open revisited Hoylake in July 2006, after a gap of 39 years, where Tiger Woods retained the Claret Jug for a second consecutive year. In 1980 Hoylake-born golfer John Ball Junior became the first Englishman to win the Open.
With banks of around a quarter of a mile offshore, Hoylake has become one of the premier sites for Sand Yachting in Britain. Championship events are held on an annual basis and in September 2007 Hoylake hosted the European Sand Yacht Championships.
The Hoylake Lifeboat station, permanently located along the seafront, holds an annual open day attracting thousands of visitors from far and wide. Amongst many organised activities the public are invited to view the lifeboats and watch spectacular air displays by a variety of aircraft, including The Red Arrows.
There are two disused lighthouses in Hoylake named "Upper
Lake" and "Lower Lake" Lights. The lower light is
located next to the Lifeboat Station and the upper in Valentia Road,
where it now forms part of a private dwelling.
Hoylake Laundrette – 632 3916
Hoylake Library –632 2754
Hoylake Post Office – 632 4973
Hoylake Youth and Community Centre – 632 2889
West Kirby Concourse – swimming pool, badminton, basketball,
local societies – 929 7801
Sailing club –632 2616
Lawn Tennis Club – 632 3491
Hoylake Social Club -
Royal Liverpool Golf Club -
Rugby Club - 632 2538
Wirral Sand Yacht Club – 632 1766
OPEN SPACES
Cheshire Oaks – Designer outlet village and Approximately 20 minute drive.
Dee Estuary - One of the UK’s most highly protected wildlife resources. During the winter months the mudflats and salt marsh of the estuary support over 15% of the UK population of wader and wildfowl.
Hilbre Island – Local Nature Reserve and bird sanctuary situated
a mile or so off the coast. It is surrounded by water at high tide.
A colony of Atlantic Grey Seals inhabits the West Hoyle Bank close
to Hilbre. The island is
accessible by crossing the sands at West Kirby at low tide. Tide
times are continuously on display. Look out for the islands famous
dinosaur footprint.
Parkgate – Famous for ice-cream and views over to Wales.
Royden Park - An area of sandstone outcrops (continuation of Thurstaston Common) with heathland, birch scrub, gorse, pine woods and mature woodland.
Thurstaston Common/Hill – Part of Wirral Country Park. Triassic red sandstone outcrop. Spectacular panoramic views of North Wales and Liverpool.
Wirral Country Park - Opened in 1973. One of the first designated country parks in Britain. The Wirral way, a 13-mile long footpath running parallel to the coast from West Kirby through to Heswall and Parkgate, passes through woodlands rich in wildlife, low cliffs and miles of sandy beach with grassy headlands. Visitor centre at Thurstaston with bird hide, snack shop and rest room. 250,000 visitors annually. Cycle hire available – Tel. 0151 512 6046
Firkin House – 632 4968
Kings Gap Court Hotel – 632 2073
Pendragon Guest House – 632 5344
Rockland Guest House – 632 4249
Wyngate – 632 4277
PUBLIC HOUSES
Green Lodge Hotel – 632 2321
Hoylake Lights – 632 1209
Jack Rabbit Slims – 632 7545
Lake Hotel – 632 7900
Plasterers Arms – 632 3023
The Blue Anchor – 632 6218
Boulevard – 632 3344
Cabin snacks – 632 4432
Carob – 632 6097
Curry Garden – 632 3821
Eskimo – 632 0011
Indira Tandoori – 632 3978
Jade Garden – 632 2421
Julian’s – 632 6241
Lino’s – 632 1408
Ming Dynasty – 632 0018
Arrowe Park Hospital - 0151 678 5111
Wirral Borough Council - 0151 606 2000
Cheshire County Council - 0845 11 333 11
Town bus station – Merseytravel – 236 7676
Train Information 08457 48 49 50
Taxis – 0151 632 6000 / 0151 632 5997
• Helen Forrester, author of Twopence to Cross the Mersey
was born in Hoylake.
• The former Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman was born in Hoylake.
• Former actress and Labour MP Glenda Jackson was born in
Hoylake.
• James Bond actor Daniel Craig was brought up in Frodsham,
near Chester, and then Hoylake where he attended Hilbre
High School and played for Hoylake Rugby Club.
• Paul and John Duffy, from the band The Coral, grew up in
Hoylake.
• John Lennon’s first wife Cynthia moved from Liverpool
to Hoylake after their divorce in 1968. Cynthia
also grew up in Hoylake as a child.
• Julian Lennon spent much of his early life in Hoylake.
