From Liverpool, North Wales is just on the other side of the Wirral Peninsula. At one point in time, hovercraft made regular trips between New Brighton and Rhyl, a popular seaside resort in North Wales. However, for many reasons, the trips became less frequent until they eventually ground to a halt.
Today, in response to the growth of tourism in Rhyl and North wales in general, two hovercraft operators have expressed interest in restoring the sea route. The project, according to reports, may cost around £10 million and cut the travel time from the 90-minute land route to just 20 across the sea. If everything goes according to plan, the route may enter service as early as December 2015.
Why a hovercraft instead of a boat? The report pointed out that the Irish Sea can get rough. A hovercraft in choppy waters, experts say, may get pushed around. Yet since it hardly sits on the waterline, it stays stable. Furthermore, as an amphibious vessel, a hovercraft can offload passengers directly on the beach, even without a dedicated port.
Warrington is further inland, but a train route can get you to Liverpool South Parkway in just 20 minutes. Trips to resorts along the North Wales coast can take an hour or more by car but the trip will be worth it. Expanding your itinerary, after all, is a great way to enjoy any vacation.
Affordable hotels in Warrington like Happy Guests Lodge can help tourists save on lodgings without making long trips such a drag. Situated between two major cities, Warrington is in a strategic position to provide low-cost lodgings to city or seaside tourists. You can get a room for as little as £40, which is a bargain, considering that the average nightly rates in major cities start at £70.
Of course, “cheap” doesn’t necessarily mean “shoddy.” The best cheap hotels in Warrington offer amenities such as free gym access, continental breakfast, computer and Wi-Fi access, and extra room space. If you fancy dining outside the hotel, you’d be delighted to know that many such hotels work with local restaurants and diners to grant you discounts.
It may take a while before the old hovercraft route can be resurrected. Nevertheless, you certainly won’t run out of fun things to do in Warrington alone.
(Source: “Big Feature: Hovercraft could return to the Mersey for the first time in 60 years,” Liverpool Echo, October 9, 2014)
