COMPILED BY LAURA NORMANSELL

May 1st to 31st

Wirral Walking Festival

The biggest walking festival on the Wirral Peninsula, with over 100 guided walks, which have been organised into various themes, such as ‘History and Heritage’ and ‘Habitats and Wildlife’. Take short walks around historic villages or longer walks through the countryside and around the coast. Highlights of the festival include a series of walks to mark the 40th Anniversary of Wirral Country Park and the Annual Wirral Coastal Walk.

www.visitwirral.com/

May 3rd

Bat Talk and Walk

A talk and slideshow about bats in the visitor centre at Birkenhead Park, followed by a guided walk in the park, looking for bats. Suitable for children aged 8+

www.wirral.gov.uk/

May 12th

Oxton Secret Gardens

Discover over 20 gardens in the conservation village of Oxton, all within walking distance of each other. From tiny courtyards and front garden plots, to spacious borders and landscaped lawns, each one created by locals who open their gates to raise funds for charity.

Secret Gardens at Birkenhead is organised by The Oxton Society. Wander around the village and enjoy refreshments in pubs, restaurants and street stalls; live music and arts and crafts. Children’s activities too. Accompanied under-18s go free.

Ticket sales: www.oxtonsociety.org.uk or ring 07963 248268

May 18th

Wirral’s Biggest Sponsored Dog Walk

A four mile sponsored walk, in aid of Wirral Hospice St John’s, which provides care and support for patients with severe and progressive disease. The walk begins and ends at Wirral Country Park and heads along the Wirral Way through Cubbins Green and down to the beach.

www.wirralhospice.org

May 19th

Port Sunlight 5K and 10K run

Take part in the second Port Sunlight 10K run, voted the second best 10K event in the Runners’ World Races of The Year poll, to raise money for the Stroke Association. There is also a 5K run around Port Sunlight.

www.stroke.org.uk

May 19th

Wirral Coastal Walk

This walk follows the Wirral coastline from Seacombe Ferry to Thurstaston Country Park and allows walkers to raise funds for a charity of their choice. Organised by the North Wirral Rotary Club, this 15-mile walk has attracted 75,000 walkers who have raised £6 million over 25 years.

www.wirralcoastalwalk.org

June 6th to 9th

Wirral Folk on the Coast Festival

The ninth Wirral Folk on the Coast Festival includes a craft fair, mini concerts, workshops in song writing, guitar playing and building and much more. There are five main stage concerts, including ‘Show of Hands’ and Dougie Maclean, a recent winner of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award. This family-friendly festival also offers camping.

www.wirralfolkonthecoast.com

June 8th

World Environment Day 19th Anniversary

Ness Gardens celebrate World Environment Day with a ceremony to recognise their role in helping to improve the environment, guided walks of their potager, weather station activities and exhibits from wildlife partners.

www.nessgardens.org.uk

June 9th

The 2013 Wirral Bikathon

A 14 or 28 mile course starting and finishing at Arrowe Country Park to raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, which funds research into finding a cure and improving treatment for leukaemia, lymphoma and other blood disorders, such as Hodgkins disease.

www.wirralbikeathon.com

July 14th

Babe The Sheep-Pig

Illyria Theatre, the open-air touring company, presents Dick King-Smith’s classic, Babe The Sheep-Pig, in beautiful Ness Gardens. Suitable for all ages 5+

www.nessgardens.org.uk/