10 Best Day Trips From Liverpool, England

1. Go to beaches in Crosby and Talacre

If you stay in Liverpool, you should visit Crosby (a 17-minute drive away) and Talacre (a 1-hour drive away) for their beaches. Crosby’s lake and the art installation “Another Place” (100 life-sized iron men looking out to the sea) are not to be missed.

In Talacre, do look out for the Point of Ayr Lighthouse, which was built in 1776, the natterjack toads at the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and the wintering birds at Dee Estuary.

Beaches in Crosby and Talacre

Address:
1. Talacre is a village in Flintshire on the north coast of Wales in the community of Llanasa.

1. Crosby Beach is part of the Merseyside coastline, north of Liverpool in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, England

2. Formby National Trust Nature Reserve

Formby National Trust Nature Reserve is a 34-minute drive from Liverpool. This beachside pinewoods is one of the top 10 European picnic spots. Here, you may opt to have a picnic or take a stroll at the beach. While doing so, there is a high chance that you’ll spot a European red squirrel or a natterjack toad, and the newly discovered prehistoric human footprints.

Formby National Trust Nature Reserve

Address: Victoria Road, near Formby, Liverpool, L37 1LJ

Website: Formby National Trust Nature Reserve

3. Chester city centre

Chester is a 45-minute drive from Liverpool, and here you can see some great historic buildings and treasures. You will find numerous Roman ruins including the most complete city walls in Britain, at about 2 miles long (3.20 kilometers). Also, the oldest racecourse (the Roodee), the Eastgate Clock (one of the most photographed places), and a Roman Amphitheatre are found in the city.

4. Chester Zoo

The Chester Zoo is home to 15,000 animals, and 125 acres (50.6 hectares) of award-winning zoological gardens. Every year, over 1.9 million people visit. George Mottershead built this “zoo without bars” in the 1930s, and it flourished and grew after the war. Today it has become U.K.’s most popular zoo and is ranked one of the the top 15 zoos in the world.

Chester Zoo

Address: Chester Zoo, Upton-by-Chester, Chester, CH2 1LH

Website: Chester Zoo

5. Martin Mere Nature Reserve

Martin Mere Wetland Centre is accessible from Liverpool in just a 44-minute drive (20.5 miles/33 kilometers) via the M58. It is the biggest lake in England. It is reported that you can sight over 2,000 different species of birds, mammals, insects, fish, amphibians, and reptiles in and around the lake. You can also see numerous plant species including the endangered whorled caraway, golden dock, tubular water dropwort, and early marsh orchids. There are many other activities for families and children to do and see like den building, the Rushes play area, an otter enclosure, eco-garden, and pond dipping zone.

Martin Mere Nature Reserve

Address: Fish Lane, Burscough L40 0TA, United Kingdom

Website: Martin Mere Nature Reserve

6. Rufford Old Hall

Rufford Old Hall is located at a 34-minute drive from Liverpool. This Tudor building was the home of the Hesketh family and has 500 years of history. It houses the Edwardian gardens, Squirrel Border, the South Lawn, Orchard Paddock, the North Paddock, and you’ll have the chance to see see the blooming nepeta, roses, wisteria and the wildflowers along the border.

Rufford Old Hall

Address: 200 Liverpool Road, Rufford, near Ormskirk, Lancashire, L40 1SG

Website: Rufford Old Hall

7. Parkgate

A shopping spree awaits only 1.8 hours from Liverpool at Parkgate Shopping in Rotherham. Parkgate has a wide selection of the UK’s favourite top brand names like Marks & Spencer, Next, TK Maxx, Currys PC World Megastore, Outfit, and Asda Living. There are over 2,000 free car parking spaces, and shops are open 7 days a week with events frequently occurring. You can easily spend a day out to shop and eat till you drop.

Parkgate

Address: Stadium Way, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S60 1TG

Website: Parkgate

8. Ness Botanic Gardens, Wirral

A 29-minute drive from Liverpool will take you to Ness Botanic Gardens, Wirral. This award-winning show gardens encompass a Victorian style potager (kitchen garden), a waterfall, a water gardens, and more. It showcases an amazing collection of snowdrops, magnolias, camellias, and rhododendrons.

Ness Botanic Gardens

Address: University of Liverpool, Neston Road, Ness, CH64 4AY

Website: Ness Botanic Gardens

9. Southport Pleasureland

Go to the seaside fun fair at Southport Pleasureland from Liverpool; it is just a 37-minute drive away. Have a fun-filled day with almost 100 rides, side shows, cafes, free daily magic shows, an indoor play area, bars, performance areas, and an F1 go-kart track. There are a mix of rides for all levels and ages. Little ones have their own play area too, so no one will be left out in this amusement park!

Southport Pleasureland

Address: Marine Drive, Southport, PR8 1RX

Website: Southport Pleasureland

10. Speke Hall

You can reach Speke Hall from Liverpool in less than 30 minutes. Speke Hall provides activities and fun things to do for your family every other week. You can scale the roof of a Tudor building, make your own woodland den, and walk about for free in the Hedge Maze, the Play Area, and the Woodland Trail. There are many more things you can do at Speke Hall, so check out their website before your visit.

Speke Hall

Address: The Walk, Speke, Liverpool, L24 1XD

Website: Speke Hall

Venture out from Liverpool for family fun

Take a drive out from Liverpool, so you can find the U.K.’s finest countryside with golden beaches, jagged mountains, and crystal lakes. Theme parks, gardens, and activity centres are all waiting for you to explore, so you can definitely enjoy a fun-filled day out around Liverpool.