The Wirral: Heswall, Brimstage and Thornton Hough

	Tidal Channel at Heswall
	The Dee Shore near Heswall
	The Dee Shore at Heswall Fields The coast between Heswall and Thurstaston has a distinctly different character from that just a little further up the Dee estuary. The water comes right up at high tide and there are substantial sandstone cliffs.
	Clifftops at Heswall Fields
	Countryside near Heswall
	Heswall from The Fields The growth of Heswall dates from the early 18th century, when wealthy merchants set up holiday homes here, attracted by the scenery, fresh air and favourable climate. The construction of a railway lines between Hooton and West Kirby in 1886 (now demolished and forming the Wirral Way) and Wrexham to Bidston in 1896 (the current rail link, connecting to Liverpool), spurred further development as an up-market commuter village. Heswall includes the Wirral's highest point, Poll Hill, at 354 ft (108 m), and many parts have superb views over the Dee estuary towards Wales, especially the older part, Lower Heswall, nearer the shore. Today Heswall, including Gayton, is still one of the most sought after residential areas in the region, with prices to match.
Heswall in Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England (1848) The parish is pleasantly situated, rising obliquely from the banks of the Dee, and commanding a fine view of that river and of the Welsh coast; it comprises by computation 3000 acres, of which 1800 are waste. The land in cultivation is chiefly arable, producing excellent crops of wheat; and the substratum abounds with red sandstone, used for building. Above the village is a fine tract of common, rising to the height of 475 feet above the level of the sea.
Gayton in Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England (1848) William III slept at Gayton Hall, the ancient seat of the Gleggs, in June 1689, previously to embarking for Ireland. The township comprises 670 acres, of which the soil is clay and sand. There is a ferry over the Dee into Flintshire, the estuary at this place being nearly four miles broad.
	The Dungeon from Heswall Fields
	Pond in Heswall Fields One of a number of little ponds in the peaceful Heswall Fields area.
	The Dungeon A surprisingly deep and narrow (for the area) little wooded ravine between Thurstaston and Heswall. The name is probably from the Old English dunge or denge meaning land next to the marsh.
	The Dee Estuary from the Dungeon
	Heswall Dales, Heswall Heswall Dales is a Local Nature Reserve and a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest of 180 acres (72 ha) on the western edge of Heswall. It is an attractive sloping area of gorse and heather with birch and oak scrub from where there are superb views over the Dee estuary to the Welsh hills.
	Heswall Dales, Heswall The Wirral Country Park Trail passes through Heswall Dales
	The Old Mill, Gayton This sandstone windmill in Gayton was built in around 1760 and was last recorded as being in use in the 1880s.
	Thornton Hough Thornton Hough's current appearance has its origins in the 1860s with the building developments of Huddersfield textile manufacturer Joseph Hirst, including All Saints church and vicarage. However, most is due to William Lever, who moved into Thornton Manor in 1888. The half-timbered houses, like those at Port Sunlight, are his inspiration, replacing pretty, though insanitary, thatched cottages. He was also responsible for St. George's church and many other buildings. So the present village, though set prettily around its green, is somewhat contrived.
	Thornton Hough
	Thornton Manor, Thornton Hough William Hesketh Lever, founder of the soap factory at Port Sunlight (there's money in muck) moved to the original gothic-style 1840's house here in 1888 and purchased it in 1893. It was completely rebuilt in 1896-7 in the present curious blend of Elizabethan and Dutch. This is the start of the Lever Causeways, long tree-lined avenues constructed by William Lever to fast-track him from his country seat to Port Sunlight without having to be inconvenienced by any local yokels.
	Thornton Manor Gatehouse, Thornton Hough Ostentatious or what?
	Brimstage Hall, Brimstage Brimstage village is over 1000 years old and is still relatively unspoilt. The tower of Brimstage Hall dates back to at least 1350, possibly 1175. The main part of the hall is 16th century. The outlying buildings have now been converted into craft shops and restaurants.
	The Wheatsheaf, Raby Tucked away in the tiny hamlet of Raby, the Wheatsheaf, known locally as The Thatch, is probably the oldest surviving pub in the Wirral. It dates back to 1611 as a pub, but it seems that there was a smallholding here with a license to brew and sell beer as early as the 13th century. The pub has been extended tastefully, but the bar area is complete with beams, old wooden partitions and settles and bags of atmosphere.
	Old Cottage, Raby This cottage, one of several very old buildings in Raby, dates from the early 17th century.
Thingwall in Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of England (1848) Thingwell [Thingwall] comprises 360 acres, the soil of which is partly clay and partly sand; it stands high, and is almost destitute of trees. The land is in general very inferior, and interspersed with large masses of red sandstone, which in many parts is quarried from the surface.