Attractions Nearby Liverpool, Day Trips and Excursions

(Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK)

If you are visiting Liverpool and fancy a change of scenery, then there are plenty of attractions outside of the city, just waiting to be visited. Recommendations include boat trips along the River Mersey, or a day trip to nearby Birkenhead, where both the HMS Plymouth and the Hamilton Quarter are amongst the main sights to see.

Excursions to the World of Glass are also popular, with this attraction being located in nearby St. Helens, roughly 30 minutes to the east of central Liverpool. If you are holidaying here as a family, then perhaps the traditional seaside atmosphere at Formby Beach will beckon, or the fun fairground-style rides at the Gulliver's World theme park.

Mersey Ferries

Address: Victoria Place, Wirral, Merseyside, CH44 6QY, England
Tel: +44 (0)151 630 1030
The Mersey ferries travel from the Pier Head every hour and are a particularly relaxing and enjoyable way to view the waterfront attractions. With commentary, a bar and scenic views, Mersey ferries are perfect for tourists looking to learn more about the city, remaining one of the oldest ferry services in the whole of the United Kingdom.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 15:00, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and families

Birkenhead Warships

Address: East Float Dock, Dock Road, Birkenhead, Merseyside, L41 1DJ, England
Tel: +44 (0)151 650 1573
The East Float dock is situated on the outskirts of the city, in the nearby town of Birkenhead, next to the Woodside Ferry Terminal. With impressive displays of warships and submarines, the main attractions here are the guided tours of the HMS Plymouth.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and families

Hamilton Quarter

Address: Hamilton Street, Birkenhead, Merseyside, L41 5AA, England
Tel: +44 (0)151 666 5266
The Hamilton Quarter is situated in nearby Birkenhead. Featuring a number of important local landmarks, the Hamilton Quarter is now a thriving arts centre, full of sightseeing opportunities, and many local festivals take place in this lively cultural area.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00

Port Sunlight Heritage Centre

Address: 95 Greendale Road, Port Sunlight, Wirral, Merseyside, CH62 4XE, England
Tel: +44 (0)151 644 6466
The Port Sunlight Heritage Centre, in the nearby Wirral area, is within easy reach from central Liverpool. Featuring everything there is to know about soap, one of the main attractions here is the extensive soap gift shop, while the Lady Lever Art Gallery also deserves a strong mention. Be sure to pick up the 'village trail' leaflet and leave time for this interesting self-guided walk. The neighbouring Tudor Rose Tea Rooms are on hand should you require a quick snack or a traditional cream tea.
Open hours: April to October, daily - 10:00 to 16:00, November to March, Saturday and Sunday - 11:00 to 16:00
Admission: charge

World of Glass

Address: Chalon Way East, St. Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1BX, England
Tel: +44 (0)1744 22766
Located on the far easterly outskirts of Liverpool, in the nearby town of St. Helens, the World of Glass is a popular tourist attraction and features regular live glassblowing demonstrations. There is even the chance for visitors to blow their very own glass bauble at one of the frequent courses. With guided underground tours, historic displays and a film show with special effects, visitors may also like to check out the onsite Kaleidoscope Cafe and the Artisan Shop, where wine glasses, vases, jewellery, T-shirts and keyrings are just some of the gifts for sale.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and families

Formby Beach

Address: Victoria Road, Formby, Merseyside, L37 1LJ, England
Tel: +44 (0)1704 878591
Nearby Formby Beach is now owned and managed by the National Trust. With large expanses of sandy beach, this seaside area is a popular attraction for locals from Liverpool, with summer sunshine seeing large crowds flocking to this natural beachfront. Formby is a traditional coastal town and welcomes day trippers, with many people coming here in the hope of seeing one of its resident red squirrels in the designated reserve.
Open hours: daily - dawn to dusk
Admission: free

Gulliver's World

Address: Theme Park, Warrington, Cheshire, WA5 5YZ, England
Tel: +44 (0)1925 230088
Gulliver's World is a lively theme park situated around 19 km / 12 miles from central Liverpool and ideal for a family day out. There are plenty of activities for both children and adults, such as numerous fast rides, including the Antelope Wooden Coaster, the Indian Creek Flying Raft, the Mad Hatters Tea Party Ride, the Runaway Train, Toy Town and Percy's Nippers' Pirate Ship. Gulliver's World also features further rides in Gully Town, Lilliput Land and in the Lost World, amongst other zones, along with a tractor driving school, soft play areas for toddlers, a restaurant, large model dinosaurs and picnic areas.
Open hours: daily - 10:30 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and families, young children are free