History

Lower Heswall was originally a small fishing hamlet on the river Dee, one of the busiest waterways in Britain. At this time Sheldrakes was the home of the Dee sailing club until the silting of the river in the early 1980’s caused the club to relocate and it became a restaurant for the first time. Once fondly nicknamed 'shack on the beach' it has been tenderly restored over the last seven years to it's current proud position as a quality tourist asset on the coastline of the Wirral.

The name 'Sheldrake' was a common term for a Shelduck. Sheldrakes borders one of the most important areas in Europe for wintering and migrating bird populations. Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) the area is rich in nutrients and provides a valuable feeding ground for vast numbers of plants and animals. During March and April the equinox tides flood the marshes, marking the transition between the departure of wintering birds and the arrival of spring visitors.