Re-Imagining Hilbre

Walk, listen, record, engage

Experience Hilbre through a different lens

Walking to the island can take many forms. You can either do it alone, as part of a small or large group, in company of your pet, your camera, maybe a notebook.

I encourage you to visit Hilbre in any way you want. You can do this either in person or remotely, with your imagination. Through an audio guided tour, by listening to poetry and/or recording what you see or feel - the aim is to invite you to experience Hilbre through active engagement, with your thoughts and feelings about the landscape, and your creativity. Scroll down to access the ‘creative toolkit’ to access Hilbre.

We are all creative, no matter your age or occupation. When we find time to do so, by slowing down the pace of life, we can engage meaningfully with our environments and re connect with what is important.

Hilbre is a remarkable space to do this, a wild spot in the Dee Estuary, not far from the land. You can walk to it, if the water allows you to. Please be aware of the tide times (more information on health and safety aspects are at the bottom of this page).

Embrace this unique wild place that invites you to slow down and re-imagine what can we do when we truly engage with our surrounds.

Feedback from attendees to the launch of the first audio guided tour of Hilbre (part of the event ‘The Ecologies of Hilbre Island’ - Being Human Festival 2024).

'I loved connecting with nature, really taking the time to study the birds and connecting with the landscape in a variety of ways'

'I loved connecting with nature, really taking the time to study the birds and connecting with the landscape in a variety of ways'

'A heightened awareness of the islands as part of the whole ecology, with the life forms and natural features all interlinked and acting on each other'

'A heightened awareness of the islands as part of the whole ecology, with the life forms and natural features all interlinked and acting on each other'

'Feeling a sense of awe. Feeling inspired. Taking part in creative pursuits. Being in nature.'

'Feeling a sense of awe. Feeling inspired. Taking part in creative pursuits. Being in nature.'

Take part in research, no experience required. Collaborate to make a difference.

‘Re-Imagining Hilbre’ is part of the overall research project ‘Re-Imagining Ecosystems’ by Luciana Hermida.

To learn more about how to get involved and co-participate on the project by providing your feedback before and after undertaking the audio guided tour, please read the following Participant Information Sheet:

>> Participant Information Sheet

Your responses to the online questionnaires (before and after taking the audio guided tour) will help Luciana, the researcher to understand how people engage with Hilbre Island.

Your invaluable collaboration will also be reflected, overtime, within the local area. The more engagement and awareness generated about Hilbre, will increase the value of Hilbre as a platform to connect and re appreciate the natural world.

Engage with Hilbre Island through visual art, poetry and an audio guided tour.

CREATIVE TOOLKIT

  • Take the audio guided tour

    Connect with the islands through the geological history, the flora and fauna.

    Listen

  • Experience the island through poetry

    The islands are full of voices. Featuring the rocks, the water, the wind, the moon, the rock sea lavender and a shantyman’s ghost.

    Listen

  • Record the island through art

    Document the unique geomorphical features of Hilbre through different media.

    Find out more

IMPORTANT HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

Practical considerations before walking to Hilbre Island

Please consider the possible risks when visiting the island: (falls, illness, health-related emergencies etc). Is there any danger of participants / investigators becoming stranded and what to do in an emergency.

  • Facilities: there are no shops or fresh water on the islands, and very little shelter. There are 2 very basic compositing toilets on the island. Toilets are available at Dee Lane slipway 10am – 6pm in the summer months.

  • Clothing: always wear waterproofs, and warm clothing, and food and hot drinks in winter.

  • Footwear: wear sensible footwear as rocks, barnacles etc can cause injury.

  • Overnight stays: are not allowed.

  • Please help Protect the Wildlife: 
    All plants and animals in the Local Nature Reserve are protected.
    Please do not collect any living creatures, pick or damage the plants.
    Please avoid disturbing the roosting birds in winter.
    Please keep to the paths or rocks to avoid trampling plants or eroding soil.
    Please take your litter home with you.
    Fires are not allowed on the Islands, if you see a fire please dial 999.
    Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times on the islands which are a Local Nature Reserve

  • Check the tide times for the day they wish to visit. It is safe to cross from West Kirby 3 hours after high tide.

    Visitors must leave the island at least 3 hours before the next high tide. It takes around 1 hour to walk from the marine lake to the main island. Link to tide table:

  • Is of utmost important to follow the recommended route which is from the marine lake slipway and not from Hoylake (Red Rocks) as there is a deep muddy channel blocking the crossing.