This is the heart of the Estuary and its importance is recognised by its designation not only as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) but also as a Special Protection Area and Ramsar site. Perhaps the best way to approach the impressive emptiness of this inner estuary is to walk or cycle the modern promenade that starts from the Pier Head.

The route - now part of the Mersey Way Trans-Pennine Trail - runs past the exciting new waterfront developments of the south docks before joining the older promenade extending past Otterspool and Cressington. The fast-improving prospects for fishing mean sea anglers are now a common sight all along this waterfront. Beyond Garston you can follow the Mersey Way through the newly-created Speke and Garston Coastal Reserve to the home of the Liverpool Sailing Club. From here there are amazing views of the Wirral coast and the industries of Ellesmere Port and Eastham. Hale beach has walks on low cliffs and panoramic views across the sandbanks and mudflats, where you may catch superb flying displays by oyster catchers, dunlin, knot and redshank.

Also linking into this route you will find two attractive country parks - Halewood Triangle Country Park and the local nature reserve of Pickerings Pasture which holds Green Flag status for its outstanding contributions to nature conservation and local community facilities. Close by is one of the country's most intriguing ancient monuments - Hale Duck Decoy was built in the seventeenth century to attract and capture ducks and is one of only three remaining in the country.

Speke Hall is one of Britain's finest Tudor houses, while the birdsong, rabbits and pheasants of adjoining Stockton Wood, just yards from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, typify the contrasts around the Mersey Estuary today. On the south side of the Estuary, the easiest access to the Mersey is perhaps from Eastham Country Park, a wooded waterside with craggy cliffs and a colourful history as an ancient crossing point and Victorian pleasure grounds.

The site of the old ferry pier offers superb estuary views across to Liverpool and is the ideal vantage point for watching ships enter and leave the Manchester Ship Canal. A little further on, Ellesmere Port's Boat Museum recreates the great days of the canals and affords sweeping views of the Estuary and the Manchester Ship Canal at its widest point. Here, the Shropshire Union Canal, with its links to the classic Four Counties Ring canal route, forms a major leisure gateway into the Estuary.

For the wildlife lover - as well as the wildfowl enthusiast - the real interest lies further upstream, where flocks of waterbirds feed on the teeming millions of tiny creatures along the shoreline and roost at high tides in the remote acres of Stanlow, Ince and Helsby marshes. This area also provides a prime example of industry and wildlife living in harmony.

This is one of Britain's most important sites for wildfowl and wading birds in winter, with teal and widgeon among the most numerous visitors, while you may glimpse birds of prey such as peregrine falcons, buzzards or kestrels patrolling overhead. Much of this area is private or farm land and birdwatchers must always keep to the designated roads.