Group and school visits to Hilbre Island

Contact the rangers first

The council's Hilbre page says: "to arrange a school or group visit contact us by email". The address published there is wcp@wirral.gov.uk. It gives no group size limit, fee, lead time or phone number.

Older council documents describe a permit scheme for larger groups. We cannot confirm whether or how it applies today, so ask. Tell the rangers your date, the number of adults and children, and your planned crossing times.

The council's management plan says the rangers assist schools and other groups visiting the islands, and that the Day Room is used by visiting groups.

The byelaws printed in the management plan say a person under 16 must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or over. Ask the rangers whether any permit applies to your party.

Leader checklist

• Count everyone at Dee Lane, on Hilbre and again before you start back.
• Walk at the pace of the slowest member. The recognised route is about 2 miles and 45 to 60 minutes each way for an individual walker.
• Start back earlier than the calculated leave-by time, not at it.
• Carry a first aid kit, water, food, spare warm layers and a charged phone. There is no shop and no fresh water on the islands.
• Keep the group together on the recognised route via Little Eye and Middle Eye. Do not use shortcuts.
• Tell someone not on the walk where you are going and when you expect to return.
• If anyone is in danger or rescue is needed, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

Plan around the tide

WalkHilbre's calculated window opens 3 hours after high water and closes 3½ hours before the next high water. The close is the latest time to be back on the mainland at Dee Lane. Start back from Hilbre by the calculated leave-by time, 60 minutes before that. The Friends of Hilbre leaflet uses a three-hour return margin; WalkHilbre retains the current RNLI page's more conservative minimum of three and a half hours.

Wirral Council's management plan gives 8pm as the latest time to be on the islands. The tide may require a much earlier departure, and RNLI advice is not to walk to the islands in the dark or fog. An estimate — not permission to cross. Check the Dee Lane noticeboard before setting out.

Open days

Friends of Hilbre hold open days with refreshments, and publish dates at hilbreisland.info. When we checked, the Friends said open day dates for 2027 were coming soon. Open days do not change the tide timing.

The Telegraph Station is open on regular open days or by arrangement with the ranger.

Reserve rules for all groups

• No camping or overnight stays.
• No barbecues or open fires.
• Do not collect living creatures or pick or damage plants. All plants and animals in the reserve are protected.
• Keep to paths, take litter home (there are no bins) and keep dogs on a short lead.