Top Things to do in Merseyside
Top Hotels in Merseyside
- 1. Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa
- 2. Quest Liverpool City Centre
- 3. The Resident Liverpool
- 4. Pullman Liverpool
- 5. Ibis Styles Liverpool Centre Dale Street - Cavern Quarter Hotel
- 6. Titanic Hotel Liverpool
- 7. Crowne Plaza Liverpool City Centre, an IHG Hotel
- 8. The Shankly Hotel
- 9. Premier Inn Liverpool City Centre (Liverpool One) hotel
- 10. Staycity Aparthotels Liverpool Waterfront
10 Nature & Parks in Merseyside That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Merseyside, United Kingdom including Hilbre Island, Hilbre Island Nature Reserve, Birkenhead Park, Sefton Park, Knowsley Safari, Southport Marine Lake, Wirral Country Park, Freshfield Squirrel Reserve, Formby Point, Sefton Coastal Path.
Restaurants in Merseyside
1. Hilbre Island
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 109 reviews
Reviewed By Patrick1454 - Skelmersdale, United Kingdom
We only walk to Hilbre when the Friends of Hilbre Island are there.They provide a welcome warm drink and cake etc. They are very knowledgable and friendly. It takes about forty minutes at a comfortable stroll. There is the odd patch of shallow mud. Ensure you check tide times at West Kirkby before you set off.
2. Hilbre Island Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By NannyGrottBaggs - Whitchurch, United Kingdom
Check tides etc before setting off - I went as part of a group - Cheshire Wildlife Trust. Before the walk started we all took advantage of the public toilets which I have to say were spotless! You have to carry with you everything you need (especially drinks) & wear appropriate gear. This is a long walk out to visit the Islands & you'll be walking over all sorts of terrain with no shelter from the elements.The Seals on the day were squabbling on the sand bank - we could hear them but you did need binoculars to see them properly. There's an abundance of bird life on the waters edge (if you're a Twitcher) and lots of interesting rock pools to go dipping in. Fantastic views of both North Wales & Wirral coast line. There's a Composting Toilet on Hilbre Island but nothing else except uninhabited buildings (used for wildlife recording purposes), forna, flora & fabulous red sandstone! The round property run by Friends of Hilbre does advertise on the information board at the start & at the property regular opening dates throughout the year but it was uninhabited on our visit. Lots of people take their dogs on this walk & allow them to run free but they have to be on leads on the actual island. The Lifeguards are on duty all day. Suitable for all ages but you need to be fit LOL
3. Birkenhead Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 292 reviews
On Easter Monday 1847, the gates were opened to the very first publicly funded park in the world. Designed by Sir Joseph Paxton - Birkenhead Park was created to be the People's Garden - a place where the lowliest peasant to the British Monarch could stand together to enjoy a piece of the countryside in the middle of the city. In 1850, Fredrick Law Olmstead visited the park and with its inspiration, then went on to design and create what is arguably the most famous public park in the world - Central Park New York. In 2004 Birkenhead Park underwent an £11.8million restoration return it to its former glory. Today, Birkenhead Park is a Grade I listed landscape and carries the prestigious Green Heritage Award. It caters for all visitors with a number of sports such as Football, Cricket, Bowls, Angling and cycling, as well a visitors centre and access to some of the original structures around the park.
Reviewed By VinnieVX7 - Cheltenham, United Kingdom
As others have referred to, Birkenhead Park was a pioneering venture by the local citizens when it was established, blazing a trail the world was to follow. There is something for everyone here, from a simple walk, sports, dog walking, music concerts etc etc.
4. Sefton Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,016 reviews
Reviewed By OHKSunshine
Beautiful park. Lots of winding paths to take you to new areas including a big lake, fairy glen, glasshouse palmhouse and lots of majestic old trees
5. Knowsley Safari
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,739 reviews
Knowsley Safari Park was opened to the public in July 1971 by the 18th Earl of Derby. Then, the `safari park' concept of having visitors in cages (cars) and the animals roaming free based on the drive-through game reserves of East Africa was unique. In 1994, Edward Stanley, the 19th Earl, succeeded to the title. The estate being only 8 miles (13 km) from Liverpool city centre, Knowsley was the first safari park to be built close to a large city. In spite of some understandable apprehension about the possible problems associated with large numbers of animals (including lions) roaming about close to the city, the then County and District councils approved the proposals.In the first two years of opening, the route through Knowsley Safari Park consisted of a 3½ mile (5.6 km) drive, and the main attractions were lions, cheetahs, monkeys, giraffes, zebra, elephants and various antelopes. The park proved immensely popular, so in 1973 an extension, including a further 1½ miles (2.4km) of road, was built and opened. This allowed more animals to be added to the collection on display along the now 5-mile- (8 km) long route, including herds of camels, buffalo and white rhino as well as a group of tigers.A few modifications to the original design have had to be made for safety and display reasons. The tigers and lions are now displayed in enclosures within the game reserves, and the elephants have their own paddock in the walk around section at the end of the safari drive. We also have a car friendly route around the outside of the monkey jungle for visitors who do not wish to have a close encounter with our baboons. Knowsley Safari Park has become one of Merseyside's premier leisure attractions, winning several awards for tourism and it's animal husbandry.
Reviewed By CFB49 - Stockport, United Kingdom
We visited at the bank holiday weekend, and found there is something for everyone. It is not difficult to fill the whole day with activities. It is worth arriving early to drive the safari route before it gets too busy. There are plenty of animals to see, but some are more active at different times of the day. We found that a second trip around in the afternoon allows some animals to be seen in better proximity (for instance a large male lion was on the road right next to the car on our second circuit). The baboons provided much entertainment for the children when scampering over the car, but beware they can remove aerials or wipers from the car! After a drive around there is the walking safari, where you can see giraffe, tigers, hogs, meerkats, bats and sea lions. For the children there is also a play area and a number of rides for which you can buy individual tickets, or a wristband for better value. Plenty of options exist for eating and drinking (at reasonable prices), and there is a picnic area that can be used if you want to bring your own food. Overall we found the animals appeared well looked after, everywhere was clean and well maintained. In my opinion it is a better day out and better value than the Blue Planet Aquarium or Chester Zoo that are both nearby.
6. Southport Marine Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 741 reviews
Reviewed By adyval - Long Eaton, United Kingdom
Been around the lakes many times over the years and it is large with lots of activities on it like power boats, speed boat etc. Lots of seats around also.
7. Wirral Country Park
8. Freshfield Squirrel Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 477 reviews
Reviewed By HeatherM344 - Chester, United Kingdom
Easy to find nature reserve (leave the train at Freshfield station and walk down Victoria Road to the entry point) Lovely and very helpful staff to answer questions and show you the best places to spot the gorgeous red squirrels - we saw half a dozen, and at very close quarters. Pleasant walks down to the spectacular beach and sand dunes, and something new to find with every visit. we spent our time on the beach looking at 6,000 year old hoof prints in the mud...Lots of seating and well sign posted.
9. Formby Point
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 465 reviews
Beautiful and vast stretch of sandy beach north of the city. There are lovely forested walks through a red squirrel reserve along with one of the country's most scientifically important dune collections. A great escape from the city and a good place to let children run off some energy. Car parking fee applies.
Reviewed By rochesterrambler - Rochester, United Kingdom
After finding the main car park completely full we were directed to an alternative at the other end of the beach. From here we had a most enjoyable walk across the sand dunes to the beach, where we tuned north and strolled for half an hour watching the ships out to sea and the aircraft from the Southport Airshow heading home after completing their slot at the show. Turning inland we walked almost to Victoria Road car park before turning South to wend our way back to our car, completely shattered but delightfully happy
10. Sefton Coastal Path
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Snazzycracker - Southport, United Kingdom
I will be honest I was a bit confused looking at the description of the Sefton Coastal Path review here, and the indication at one point that it is at Marshside Southport. It's not Marshside and the bird watching is at the far North end of the Sefton coast. I notice a lot of people have done this path at Crosby too, which is the Southern end of the coastal paths. I have honestly never noticed the signage of an official Sefton Coastal Path but I know there are some splattered around. It's roughly 16 miles from Crosby to Southport beach going through and along the Sefton coast as I have ran it many times and cycled it too. There are many sections, Crosby to Hightown is a coastal path along the promenade and goes past the Gormley statues on the beach, and then passes the Coastguard station. Crosby beach has parking for cars near the Coast guard so is worth a park or stop there for the views. If you are walking or cycling the coastal path next goes along a fairly newly resurfaced cycling path in parts to Hightown and along residential streets which eventually takes you too Hightown train station. To progress towards Formby pinewoods and beach etc from here you have to follow the path alongside the railway to Altcar army training barracks etc and the path continues alongside the M.O.D. property and the railway. Once at the end of the Altcar path which is also a cycling route you come out on the outskirts of Formby and in a residential area. I don't know officially which direction or route any official coastal path points you from here, but I turn left and follow the residential roads and with a one time use of a map or Google maps on your phone, you can find you way to the entrance to the next part of the coastal area Lifeboat Road, Formby. This is the start of the pinewood area and Lifeboat road will take you down to adequate parking again and access to the beach and it's dunes range. You can carry on from here either along the beach or via paths towards the pinewoods at Freshfield and the National Trust squirrel reserve. This in itself is worth a visit to a vast selection of paths around the pinewoods there. You can also access Freshfield railway station from here too as it is a one road route straight to it from the entrance to the reserve. From the squirrel reserve you can take the beach again or follow routes through the pinewoods and dunes to the Fishermans Path which runs from the beach back towards the railway and you can double back to Freshfield station from there too. If carry on beyond the Fishermans path you will end up at the Ainsdale sand dunes reserve, assuming you haven't wandered off toward the rest of the pinewoods and ended up alongside Woodvale airfield. Ainsdale is a vast dunes range and leads to Ainsdale beach you pretty much choose your own path through the dunes from Freshfield to Ainsdale although at some points there are wooden posts with white markers on top. Once at Ainsdale beach it joins the Birldale dunes and again you can follow the beach or go through the dunes, there is a lowland path between the reclaimed salt marsh and the edge of the dunes. If you go through the dunes you will be rewarding with great views of the coastline North or South, and on a good day you can see the mountains of North Wales and also the mountains of the Lake District. This is usually more visible later in the day in the hours before sunset. If you carry on through Birkdale dunes you will come out at their end at the Weld Road roundabout and the Southern tip of Victoria Park and also the Coast Road. You can cross the roundabout and head inland to Birkdale railway station from here if you wish as that is the end of the sand dunes. If you continue on North along the coast from here you will end up at Southport pier within 1 mile or so, and if you continue on even further you will end up at the Marshside RSPB Bird Reserve. There are various viewing stations here for bird watching and I would recommend visiting their website for full details. That is officially the end of the path, unless you walk alongside the coast road to Crossens roundabout and officially the outskirts of Southport, but be aware you will have to turn back or get a bus back to Southport town centre from there.
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