After moving to the Wirral a few years ago, I’ve been constantly on the lookout for hidden gem walks to take my dog.
Funnily enough, I've actually visited Eastham Country Park several times, before I realised that it had some surprisingly unique attributes. The stunning park in Eastham is smack bang next to the River Mersey and covers an area of about 100 acres.
It features a cute picnic area, a good sized field for plenty of dog ball throwing, and is surrounded by beautiful woodland. I had no clue that the park was home to an old bear pit, with is something you don't usually hear often.
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The bear pit was constructed in 1874, and was home to Bruin the bear. According to an information board still visible today at the park, the pit is around 15 feet deep and substantially built up with stone work.
The Liverpool Mercury reported that year that the grounds was home to a white camel, a brown bear, a black swan and several monkeys. What remains, is a stunning area of woodland with intriguing reminders of what was once a very popular zoo.
Today, of course, the bear pit looks a little different, surrounded by bright green gates for public safety. When visiting Eastham Country Park last weekend, I was utterly gobsmacked at the sheer history that the area had.
Back in the day, a day out at Eastham’s 'pleasure gardens' involved entertainment including a café, zoo, a bandstand, an open air stage and much more. Where any of the animals came from or went to is said to 'still remain a mystery' with only the enclosures still visible.
The park features an old map showcasing what the area used to be, and it was vast to say the least. It even featured a boating lake and a ‘Loop the Loop’ for thrill seekers.
Although Eastham Country Park is a lot more peaceful and quaint now, it still possesses that quirky charm that makes it such a pleasant walk. Although woodland walks can be lovely, there’s something so intriguing about the history this incredible place has.
When walking through the park, I overheard a number of people that had made the trip to see the old zoo. Considering I had no clue this park used to be one, I was absolutely enthralled.
For those keen walkers who are after a change of scenery, or a slice of the unknown, I’d highly recommend taking a trip to Eastham Country Park. Not only does it offer serene surroundings and tranquility, but it also offers something a little different.
Walks can become a little stale, but this walk is far from it. I’ll definitely be taking a trip there again to take a look at the bear pit.
You can find Eastham Country Park at Ferry Rd, Eastham, Wirral CH62 0BH.
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