Route Summary
An easy ride along the former Cheshire Lines Committee railway.
| Grade |
Easy |
| Distance |
15km / 9¼ miles |
| Time |
2 hours |
| Start |
Broad Green railway station |
| Map |
OS Explorer 275 Liverpool |
| Terrain |
Mostly purpose-built cycle paths |
| Toilets |
None |
| Contact |
Merseyside Travelwise: 0151 330 1253
National Wildflower Centre: 0151 738 1913 |
Tried this route? Let us know what you think! Send your reviews and comments to
mail@merseyforest.org.uk.
This route is based on the Loop Line Path, an old railway line which has been converted to a footpath and cycleway. Until the 1960s, a major use was by frequent night-trains carrying fresh cabbages, cauliflowers etc. from the farms of the Lancashire Plain to London's huge Nine Elms vegetable market.
You will also pay a visit to the National Wildflower centre, a visitor attraction with a difference. The emphasis is on creative conservation and putting wildflowers back into Britain. It's open from the start of April until the end of September but the café remains open throughout the winter except weekends.
Court Hey Park can be traced back to 1783 when it was a field forming part of the Lord Derby Estate. The grounds were acquired by Robertson Gladstone (1805-1875) who was elder brother to the four times British Prime Minister William Gladstone.
Public transport links
Route Directions (refer to map above)
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Begin in the Broad Green station car park.
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Turn right on Thomas Lane under the motorway.
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Turn left on Bowring Park Road.
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Descend the ramp on the right to join the Loop Line Path.
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Just after passing under a pedestrian bridge turn left at the crossroads of paths.
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Turn left at the road.
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Take the next right.
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Turn left and enter Court Hey Park.
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Turn right on the path that skirts the National Wildflower Centre.
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Turn right on to the path that cuts diagonally across the park.
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Rejoin Chelwood Avenue.
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Turn right.
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Turn left on to Baldwin Avenue.
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Turn left on to Castletown.
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Take the path from the end of the road.
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Turn left at the Loop Line Path, and follow it for about 4½km (3 miles).
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When you reach a fork, bear right. You are now entering Halewood Park.
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Bear left at a second fork.
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Don't cross the railway bridge, but turn left along the railway.
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Turn right just after the pond.
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Turn right at the T junction of paths.
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Turn left around the visitor centre.
