New Ferry Butterfly Park | Reserves and species

Situated next to Bebington railway station, Wirral, New Ferry Butterfly Park is an oasis of green tranquility in densely populated urban area. Originally abandoned railway sidings, its industrial past has been put to good use as a home for wildlife. On the thin, nutrient- poor soils which overlie old railway track beds, there are now carpets of wild flowers, including wild carrot & occasional bee orchids. The lime waste from a water softening plant has been used to create a calcareous grassland, with all the specialist wildflowers which depend in this habitat, while drifts of coal dust have transformed into acidic grassland dominated by common bent, sheep's sorrel & bird's-foot trefoil. Up to 26 species of butterfly have been recorded here, with 18 species breeding on site - giving the park its rather apt name.

How to find us:
By train: The park is next to Bebington Station on the Merseyrail Liverpool-Birkenhead-Chester Line. Cross to the southbound platform if necessary (tunnel under tracks), exit by the gateway to the car park, and walk left to the north end of the car park. The Butterfly Park is just to your right through the gates.

By bus: Routes 110,118,119, 410 stop by Bebington Station on the Old Chester Road or Bebington Road. Walk under the railway bridge on Bebington Road if necessary, and take the road between the bridge and Aldi, signed to the station car park and Butterfly Park.

By car: From M53 J4: Take B5137 signed Bromborough, at traffic lights turn left (B5136). Follow road, taking 2nd exit at small roundabout, until you see the railway over-bridge. Go straight on under bridge and turn first left, where signed to station car park and butterfly park (between the over-bridge and Aldi). The park is at the top of the slope.

From Birkenhead: Follow A41 to south end of Rock Ferry Bypass. Take 3nd exit (carefully - this is not a normal roundabout and there is a give way) onto Bolton Road Port Sunlight. At T junction turn right alongside railway. At next T junction turn right and immediately left into car park approach road (between over-bridge and Aldi).

Sat-nav users: the Aldi by the approach road is CH62 5BJ.

Reserve details

Trust:

Cheshire Wildlife Trust

Trust Website:

http://www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk

Size:

2.00

Short Description:

An urban nature reserve developed on a former railway coal yard, goods yard and water softening plant.

Smartphone Description:

An urban nature reserve developed on a former railway coal yard, goods yard and water softening plant. The different industrial substrates of the past are reflected in the differing types of grasslands found here: acidic, calcareous, nutrient poor & nutrient rich. Important breeding site for at least 16 species of butterfly and the lower pond homes smooth newts, water scorpions and dragonfly nymphs

Location

Address:

Howell Road, adjacent to Bebington Station Car Park, Bebington

Town:

New Ferry

County:

Cheshire

Postcode:

CH62 5BJ

Grid ref:

SJ 333 850

Facilities

Visitor centre:

Shop:

No shop

Picnic Area:

Opening hours:

See below

Toilets:

No toilets

Disabled toilet:

No disabled toilet

Baby changing facilities:

No baby changing facilities

Dogs:

Dogs must be on lead

Access:

Yes

Access info:

Open Sundays from the beginning of May to the second week in September, between 12 noon and 4pm. Open every second Sunday in the month from September to April for volunteer work days between 10am and 3pm. Please note: not open if weather too wet. Please call 0151 327 5923 for more information. A guided group visit can be arranged please call to organise a date and time.

Parking:

Yes

Parking info:

Disabled parking on-site, limited other parking but plenty on surrounding roads

Contact details

Reserve manager:

Hilary Ash/Paul Loughnane

Reserve phone number:

0151 327 5923 / 0151 645 8937

Photos

Photo:

Admission

Admission fee?:

Admission amount:

Location type:

Wildlife or nature reserve