WalkHilbre
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About WalkHilbre

An independent planning aid for the Hilbre Island crossing in the Dee Estuary, made by Page & Place.

Who makes WalkHilbre

WalkHilbre is made by Page & Place, the studio that designed and built it.

It exists as an independent planning aid for the walk to Hilbre Island: the walk is one of the most beautiful in the UK, but it can be dangerous for the unprepared. We turn published tide predictions into a calculated crossing window that is easier for everyday walkers to read.

What WalkHilbre is not

WalkHilbre is not Wirral Council, the RNLI, HM Coastguard or an official tide authority, and it is not affiliated with any of them. It supports and links to their official guidance. A calculated window is an estimate, not permission to cross: check the Dee Lane noticeboard before setting out. Read how the window is calculated and our editorial policy.

How the tracker works

WalkHilbre processes current and forecast information from several sources:

  • NTSLF Hilbre predictions High and low water times and heights fetched directly from the National Tidal and Sea Level Facility at the National Oceanography Centre, and used with its permission.
  • Harmonic tide modelCross-checks NTSLF high waters and shapes the predicted tide curve between NTSLF high and low waters.
  • Environment AgencyObserved water levels from the real-time flood-monitoring API, used for surge calibration and shown as a separate line.
  • Open-MeteoWeather forecasts (wind, visibility, rain, sunrise and sunset) proxied through the WalkHilbre API.
  • LiDAR and Carto mapsPrecomputed inundation overlays and route context.

Transparent data sources

WalkHilbre fetches NTSLF Hilbre high and low water predictions directly from the provider. NTSLF publishes them in GMT and Chart Datum without meteorological effects. WalkHilbre converts them to local Europe/London display time and derives the calculated crossing windows from adjacent high waters. The predicted tide curve passes through those NTSLF high and low waters and, like them, excludes weather effects. Observed water level from the Environment Agency gauge at Liverpool Gladstone Dock is shown as a separate line.

Hilbre predictions from the National Tidal and Sea Level Facility (NTSLF), © National Oceanography Centre, Liverpool.

Responsible tourism

The Hilbre Islands form a Local Nature Reserve within the internationally protected Dee Estuary. The estuary includes SSSI, SPA, SAC and Ramsar designations, whose legal boundaries and protected features are not identical. Respect wildlife, keep dogs on short leads, take litter home and remain on established paths.

Respect wildlife

Take litter home

Stay on paths

Source: Wirral Council management plan

In the press

Contact

Questions, corrections or feedback are welcome on the contact page. Our editorial policy explains how pages are checked and corrected.