These tranquil hidden islands are only a short drive from Manchester

While beautiful nature spots may be few and far between here in Manchester city centre, there is actually an abundance of hidden gems located among the region’s outskirts.

And three of those somewhat less hidden beauty spots come in the form of the Hilbre Islands, three tidal islands boasting beautiful views, rare wildlife and even seal-spotting.

Hilbre is the largest island of the three, followed by Middle Eye and Little Eye.

The trio of islands are situated just off the West Kirby coast, at the mouth of the Dee Estuary, and are the ideal location for those wanting panoramic views of North Wales, the Wirral coastline and, on a clear day, Liverpool’s skyline.

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Like most remote islands, the Hilbre Islands don’t have a lot in term of facilities, so visitors are advised to bring their own food and drinking water to have on hand throughout the day.

There are toilets situated on the island, and dogs are more than welcome.

But what the islands lack in shops and restaurants, they certainly make up for in wildlife and scenery, with one of the most popular spots been the Hilbre Island Bird Observatory, which often welcomes rare species of visiting birds.

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According to Visit Wirral, its unique location makes it one of the ten most important estuaries in Europe for overwintering wildfowl and waders.

Particularly in the summer, visitors can also see seals swimming in the distance, explore the coastal rock pools and enjoy a picnic along the waterfront.

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However, if you’re planning a trip to the Hilbre Islands, timing is essential.

The rocky peninsula is cut off from the mainland by the tide for up to four hours out of every twelve.

So if you are planning a visit, you must allow yourself enough time to leave Hilbre at least three hours before high water, or longer if any of your party walks slowly.

It is of the utmost importance to remember to check tidal times before visiting. Tide tables are on display at Dee Lane slipway, though you can also get an idea of the tide times here.