Families flock to Wirral attractions over holiday weekend

Apr 25 2011

Crowds flocked to New Brigton beach at Easter

WIRRAL’S most popular tourist attractions are enjoying a bumper Easter as crowds pack in to lap up the sunshine.

Wirral’s Ness Gardens, proved a hit with visitors wanting to enjoy the sunshine on their doorstep.

Director Kevin Reid said: "Our bike racks have been absolutely bursting with club cyclists, tandems and family bikes. People are looking to alternative forms of transport now that petrol is more expensive."

But with Easter Egg trails through the gardens and planting master classes on offer, visitors from farther afield have been tempted to pay a visit, too.

"I’ve spoken to people from Christchurch, New Zealand, Germany, Glasgow and Newcastle today," Mr Reid added.

Wirral Country Park also benefited from a weekend of wonderful weather, with more than 1,500 visitors enjoying the sunshine there.

Information Ranger James Carson said: "We’ve had a Raptor Rescue weekend where people have been able to see birds of prey such as owls – it’s been really popular. The good weather has brought in a lot of people, and the car parks and overflows have been full."

The coastline was also a top destination for sun seekers, but Liverpool coastguard reported that beachgoers on the coast were enjoying the sun and sand in safety.

A Coastguard spokesman said: "It’s Easter and it’s absolutely gorgeous, so it’s to be expected, but so far we’ve only had routine call-outs."

On Good Friday summer started early when Merseyside basked in glorious 23°C sunshine.

Thousands of tourists streamed into the region to enjoy the sizzling weather at beaches and attractions. Locals and day-trippers soaked up the Easter sun. Our photographers snapped people catching some rays in New Brighton.

And while temperatures today are likely to cool off, Met forecasters said that Merseyside could be well placed to soak up the best of the next Bank Holiday weather, too.

A Met spokeswoman said: "We are expecting a bit more cloud, and somewhere in the region of 17°C on Monday.

"The region might get some rain towards the end of the afternoon, but it will probably be fairly light.

"It’s too early to put details forward about next weekend, but for the whole of the UK we are saying southern and central parts will be more unsettled and conditions will generally be brighter in the North and North West."