The best walks and hikes around Shotwick Park

Find the pirates grave

Originally called the New Tower, the Water Tower stands at the end of a crenellated retaining wall in an area now known as Tower Gardens. The spur wall connects the Water Tower to Bonewaldesthorne Tower, located at the northwest angle of the main walls. The lower area where the Water Tower stands was once covered by the River Dee before the river silted up and receded. The Water Tower was built in 1322 by the mason John de Helpeston for the sum of 100 pounds and remains largely unchanged today. The Water Tower's purpose was to guard Chester's port. Now that the river has receded, the "Tower Gardens" area is a pleasant place to relax in fine weather. There is a children's playground and a bowling alley at the Water Tower. Source: http://www.discoverchester.co.uk/

A great vantage point to view Burton marshes the River Dee and the North Wales coast !

Well priced good food. Especially enjoy the cake

Would recommend heading from Wales into England at sunset. Riding into the setting sun in such a tranquil spot

A 'tip' rather than a 'highlight' "The station is not staffed and only has basic amenities (departure screens, waiting shelters and timetable poster boards on each platform). Step-free access is available to both platforms, but transfer between them requires the use of a level crossing at the end of the platforms towards the bridge. The Chester Millennium Greenway cycle route runs adjacent to the station and provides access to the northbound platform. The route also connects the station to Shotton." You can't buy tickets at the station but you can buy them online or on board from the ticket inspector. From Bidston, where the trains terminate in one direction, you can join the Merseyrail network to travel onwards to the Wirral and Liverpool. Sources; https://tfw.wales/places/stations/hawarden-bridge https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawarden_Bridge_railway_station

The view from the bridge gives a great perspective of the 'canalisation' of the River Dee - a straight 5 mile section of the river. In the distance you can just make out the Queensferry and Flintshire Bridges. "The Saltney Ferry Footbridge in Flintshire was built in 1968 to replace a ferry that crossed the River Dee. The ferry service had been operating since 1790 and was run by the Manifold family.  Ferry service history  The ferry service began in 1790 and was run by the Manifold family The ferry service was a 12-seat service that operated from 5 AM–9 PM The ferry carried babies, coffins, and was used for chain-making and sea-going industries The ferry service ended around 1966 Footbridge construction The footbridge is a four span reinforced concrete structure  The bridge is approximately 100m long and 2.14m wide  The bridge was built with a removable central section to allow boats with tall masts to navigate upstream  The bridge is suitable for pedestrians and cyclists  River Dee The River Dee has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC)." Various sources; AI Summary https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-30532480 https://www.jenningsbce.co.uk/saltney-ferry-foot-bridge/ https://sealandcommunitycouncil.co.uk/about/local-history/

"The Jubilee Bridge (also known as the Blue Bridge) is a double leaf rolling bascule bridge which spans the River Dee at Queensferry, Wales. The bridge was built by Sir William Arrol & Co. between 1925 and 1927.  It takes its name from an earlier bridge on the same site which was completed during the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897. The abutments of the old bridge are still visible at both sides to the left (facing north) of the current bridge. The remains can be seen at low tide near the abutments. By the 1960s shipping had ceased on the River Dee. The bridge's lifting mechanism was removed and the roadway fixed permanently in place. In 2005 the Jubilee Bridge was awarded Grade II Listed building status by Cadw." Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jubilee_Bridge_(Queensferry)