These mindful walks to Hilbre island started in 2021. They are designed to be safe, enjoyable, slow paced and relaxed. This is not a hike.
Hilbre island in the Dee estuary, is a hidden spiritual gem of the North West of England, a stone’s throw from Liverpool, Manchester and only 3 hrs from London.
The island has been a spiritual place since the Dark Ages(Early Medieval). Named after St Hildeburgh an Anglo-Saxon saint, it became a place of pilgrimage after the ‘miracle of the sands’ in the 12th century. Since the Victorian era, it has been popular with all those keen to be in nature and take in the revitalising sea air.
In the context of the 21st century, Brene Brown, an American sociologist captures the island’s mystique in her book “Rising Strong” where she talks about spirituality, “Spirituality is recognising and celebrating that we are all inextricably connected to one another by a power greater than us all, and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and belonging. Practicing spirituality brings a sense of perspective, meaning and purpose to our lives.”
Walking the island can be a spiritual experience where we can find solitude and mindfulness in nature. The Hilbre Wellness Walk is a gentle, slow-paced experience focused on listening to all of our senses. Most of all, it is a way to walk (and not “hike”) surrounded by nature and without expectation.
These experiences are all planned to start two hours after high water, which gives ample time to get there and back before the next high tide. This walk is for individuals capable of a three-hour moderate Sunday afternoon (7 km) walk, and you must be aware that is can be slippery and uneven underfoot on the island.
It will be necessary for all participants to wear sensible shoes, have access to waterproofs and have sufficient drinks and snacks during the experience (we do not supply these). The weather can be very changeable and if inclement the activity will be postponed or cut short at the discretion of the group leader.