Fancy getting stranded on a desert island? Try Hilbre Islands Local Nature Reserve. Little Eye, Middle Eye and Hilbre Island lie at the mouth of the Dee Estuary. The islands are reached by foot from West Kirby and are cut off from the mainland for up to five hours out of every 12. You cross the sands when the tide is out.

The piping cries of seabirds are the theme music to a walk here as the islands' shores and mudflats provide feeding and roosting grounds for waders from September onwards. Looking west from the south west tip of Hilbre at low tide, you can see Atlantic grey seals on the sandbanks.

Before doing this walk you need to find out tide times, as you must set out from West Kirby on the recommended route at least three hours before high water, 3.5 hours on tides 9.5 metres and higher. Tide tables can be bought locally and are on display at Dee Lane slipway, or ring 0151 648 4371 / 3884 for tide times.

Ordnance Survey Map: OS EXP 266 (N)