Whilst the city itself has much to offer, it’s not hard to find somewhere to enjoy a day trip from Liverpool. Read on to find out about the places you can visit from Liverpool.
- Chester
- Southport
- The Dee Estuary
- Blue Planet Aquarium
- The Lancashire Fens
- Knowsley Safari Park
- The North Wales Resorts
Chester
16 miles to the south and right on the Welsh border, Chester has justifiably been described as Britain’s most Roman city. The city streets still follow the original Roman plan, the two-mile circuit of the Roman Walls remains almost complete to this day. There’s a shrine to the goddess Minerva in Edgar’s Field and you can even see the remains of the hypocaust at the Roman Baths in the basement of a café on Bridge Street! It’s also far from unusual to see someone walking through the city dressed in Roman warrior’s clothing. Possibly because they’re on their way to deliver a unique guided tour!
Other highlights include the 11th-century Cathedral; the two-tier Rows shops; and Simon Radley’s restaurant at the Grosvenor Hotel, which has held a Michelin star continuously since 1990.
Southport
16 miles north of the big city, this really is a gem of a seaside town, and one of the best places for a day trip from Liverpool.
Some of the highlights include its attractive seafront parks, which include King’s Gardens, with its Marine Lake. There’s also plenty of attractive open spaces further inland. Such as the Botanic Gardens and Hesketh Park – with its superb fountains and themed gardens. Railway enthusiasts will love the Model Railway Village in the town.
Southport also hosts many superb special events during the course of a typical year. These include the Food and Drink Festival, the Flower Show, the Comedy Festival and the Air Show.
One of the most unusual things in Southport is the gardens that run all the way down, Lord Street. This is one of the town’s main shopping streets.
The Dee Estuary
Much of Liverpool’s commuter belt is to the south of the city. On the peninsula known as the Wirral, located between the Rivers Mersey and Dee. To get here, you’ll need to drive or catch a Merseyrail train through one of the Mersey tunnels.
On the west side of the Wirral, the Dee estuary offers some of the region’s best coastal walking. Highlights include Parkgate, which very much has the feel of a seaside resort despite the fact the water is now barely visible from the Promenade. Also well worth a visit is West Kirby, from where you can walk out across the sands at low tide to the Hilbre Island nature reserve.
Blue Planet Aquarium
In Ellesmere Port, 10 miles south of Liverpool, you’ll find the largest aquarium in the North West. There are more than 100 displays on offer here, including walk-through shark tunnels, coral caves, flooded forests and rock pools.
Many people could easily spend most of the day here, so just make sure you arrive early for your day trip from Liverpool. While many others could spend all day shopping in the adjacent Cheshire Oaks Outlet Mall.
The Lancashire Fens
The lowland peat moss lands to the east of Southport have been described as Lancashire’s Fens. Unless you’re taking a walk here, this atmospheric landscape is perhaps best viewed from a train on the Wigan to Southport line. One of the highlights of this area is the Martin Mere Wetland Centre, home to a number of exotic bird species.
Knowsley Safari Park
Just eight miles to the east of the city centre, here you’ll find one of the largest safari parks in the UK which makes it a perfect day trip from Liverpool. You can do the five-mile drive around the park or visit some of the safer areas on the Foot Safari tour. The animals on show here range from lions and tigers to baboons, camels, bison, deer, buffalo, giraffes, meerkats, antelopes, rhinos and wildebeests.
The North Wales Resorts
A little further afield, the various seaside towns of North Wales have something for everyone.
Prestatyn doesn’t just offer the traditional bucket and spade experience, but the extensive sand dune system that is Gronant Dunes is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
In addition to its beaches, Rhyl boasts Britain’s oldest miniature railway; the attractive Victorian mansion of Bodrhyddan Hall; and the SeaQuarium, where you can experience marine life from around the world.
Colwyn Bay is a major watersports centre, as well as a great place for spotting seals and dolphins.
Llandudno is a lovely Victorian resort – not for nothing is it called the Queen of Welsh Watering Places. In the town, you can stroll down the Grade II listed pier that is the longest of its kind in Wales; while you can also walk or take the tram to the top of the Great Orme headland. Chocolate lovers will be in heaven at the Llandudno Chocolate Experience.
As you’ve just read, there are many day trips you can take from Liverpool! But, you’re going to need somewhere to stay. To learn more about our range of serviced apartments in and around the area of Liverpool click here, or get in touch with a member of the Situ team by either calling 01392 690 079 or emailing [email protected].