The proud home of the Fab Four, Liverpool is a vibrant and fun-loving city with a rich, fascinating history. It’s got an elegant skyline, tons of world-class free museums and galleries to visit and eye-catching artwork at every turn. We think you’ll get real value from a Travelodgical break here.
1. Albert Docks and Pier Head
Take a walk along Liverpool’s photogenic waterfront to admire the city’s architecture from afar and spot the ferry crossing the Mersey. Look closely and you’ll see the emblematic Liver birds sitting on top of the elegant Three Graces. If you’re a history buff, have a wander around the impressive Albert Dock and reimagine the city in its historic heyday.
Liverpool Waterfront, Liverpool L3 4AA, England. Open 24 hours a day, all year round.
2. The Merseyside Maritime Museum and the International Slavery Museum
On Liverpool’s famous Albert Dock you can visit two museums in one and explore the city’s rich and colourful maritime history. Uncover tales from the Titanic, check out the surprising collection of bizarre objects nabbed by border customs at the Maritime Museum, and take a free guided tour of the Edmund Gardner ship in the dry dock during the summer months. Liverpool was an important port in the transatlantic slave trade, and you can find out more about the lives of the millions of people taken into slavery from the 16th-19th century in the thought-provoking International Slavery Museum on the 3rd floor.
Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AQ, England. Open daily 10am – 5pm.
3. Walker Art Gallery
The stylish Walker Art Gallery is a short walk from Liverpool Lime Street station. It’s home to an impressive art collection stretching from the 13th century to the present day, including paintings by Rembrandt, Hockney, Turner, Lowry and Freud. There’s also a superb sculpture gallery featuring the likes of Moore and Degas. A lot of the artwork was formerly owned by Liverpool merchants and some has been exhibited here for over 200 years.
William Brown Street, Liverpool L3 8EL, England. Open daily 10am – 5pm. Closest car park Q-Park Liverpool Dale Street
4. Sefton Park
Spend a sunny day exploring the 235-acre Sefton Park, just outside the city centre. Visit the Botanical Gardens and wander around the mighty plants in the Palm House, go boating on the lake and feed the ducks, or skip around the waterfalls and stepping stones of the magical Fairy Glen. There’s lots of space for kids to run about in, as well as a large children’s play area.
Sefton Park Drive, Liverpool L17 1AF, England. Open 24 hours a day, all year round.
5. Beatlemania
A true Beatles fan cannot leave Liverpool without reliving the Beatles euphoria in the city where it all began. You’ll find companies offering tours of the many Beatles landmarks around the city, but if you know where to go, there are plenty of Fab Four spots you can visit on your own for free. There’s iconic Penny Lane or the site of the original Cavern Club on Mathew Street. Or you can have your photo taken with the Eleanor Rigby statue on Stanley St and the Fab Four statues on the waterfront.
6. Museum of Liverpool
This modern museum right on the waterfront offers a fun and insightful introduction to the city, with exhibits on sport, music, history and pop culture. There’s also a special gallery for children – Little Liverpool – with lots of fun interactive activities to keep them occupied.
Pier Head, Liverpool L3 1DG, England. Open daily 10am – 5pm.
7. Tate Liverpool
The Tate Liverpool– Liverpool’s edition of the British Gallery family is small but perfectly formed, with a couple of floors of contemporary art and special temporary exhibitions. It’s a fantastic space so it’s worth a look inside even if modern art is not your cup of tea. Plus, the gallery has a special family-friendly learning space where kids can play and create.
Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4BB, England. Open daily 10am – 5.50pm.
8. Public art
Liverpool has a massive amount of public art – more than anywhere else in the UK apart from Westminster – so take your camera out on a stroll around the centre and you’ll be well-rewarded. Look out for pieces like the inimitable 17 foot tall ‘Superlambanana’ on Tithebarn Street, the Fab Four statues and the Yellow Submarine on the waterfront. While you’re at the waterfront, how about taking a trip in the ‘Dazzle Ferry’ where until late 2018, you can enjoy a guided tour along the Mersy in the ship Snowdrop which has been bestowed with eye catching artistic designs courtesy of Sir Peter Blake.
9. Another Place, Crosby Beach
Visit windswept Crosby Beach, around 7 miles up the coast from the centre of Liverpool, to see the eerie but beautiful ‘Another Place’ art installation by Anthony Gormley. There are 100 iron figures cast from the artist’s body buried at various depths in the sand, along a 3km stretch of the beach, looking out to sea. Best admired at low tide, it makes for a remarkable sunset photo.
Crosby Beach Merseyside, Crosby, England. Open 24 hours a day, all year round.
10. Formby Beach
Take a picnic and enjoy a lovely seaside walk around the dramatic sand dunes of picturesque Formby Beach, around 14 miles north of the city centre. Follow the trails through the nature reserve in the pine forest for a chance to spot rare red squirrels and even prehistoric footprints.
Victoria Road, Formby L37 1LJ, England. Open 24 hours a day, all year round.
If you want to check the weather before you go, why not visit https://www.holiday-weather.com/liverpool
