What to bring to Hilbre Island

Footwear and clothing

• Sturdy footwear that can get wet and muddy. Wirral Council says the walk is over wet sand and rocks and that walking barefoot is not recommended.
• Friends of Hilbre say walking boots or wellingtons help you negotiate the pools and slippery rocks. Sharp objects can be hidden in the sand.
• Waterproofs and warm clothing, whatever the forecast. Friends of Hilbre also advise food and hot drinks in winter.
• Sun protection. There is little shelter on the sands or the islands.
• A spare pair of socks is a cheap extra if you expect wet feet.

Water, food and toilets

Friends of Hilbre say there are no shops or fresh water on the islands, and Wirral Council lists no café. Friends of Hilbre sell tea and coffee on their open days only. Pack drinking water and a snack or picnic for the whole trip, including the walk back.

Use the public toilets by the Marine Lake before you set out. They cost 30p, and open 10am to 6pm from May to September and 9am to 4.30pm from October to April. Basic composting toilets are mentioned for the island, but do not rely on them.

Phone and watch

Carry a fully charged phone. Wirral Council says mobile reception on the islands depends on your network provider, so do not rely on it for tide checks once you are out there.

Check today's calculated leave-by time on the WalkHilbre home page before you leave Dee Lane, and wear a watch or keep a clock handy so you can start back on time. Tell someone not on the walk where you are going and when you expect to return.

Torch and light

A torch is a backup, not a plan. The RNLI advises not to walk to the islands in the dark or fog, and Wirral Council's management plan gives 8pm as the latest time to be on the islands. A torch does not change either.

Useful extras

• Binoculars for grey seals and birds. Watch from a distance and never approach.
• A bag for your litter. There are no bins on the islands.
• A small first aid kit. It weighs little, and it is on the leader checklist for groups.
• A camera, kept at a distance from seals and roosting birds.

What not to bring

Barbecues and open fires are not allowed on the island, and camping and overnight stays are forbidden. The reserve byelaws also prohibit metal detectors and picking plants or collecting animals.

Wirral Council's Hilbre page does not mention drones. Natural England's Dee Estuary factsheet reports drones flown low over roosting birds, and the Civil Aviation Authority publishes the Drone Code. See the FAQ before you think of flying one. Dogs must be on a short lead; see Hilbre Island with dogs.

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. An estimate — not permission to cross. Check the Dee Lane noticeboard before setting out.

Questions and answers