Author: Uncover

By Ade Blackburn

Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle is a thriving district that has emerged from its industrial roots to become one of the city’s most exciting and dynamic areas. The Baltic Triangle is a testament to Liverpool’s resilience, transforming from a once bustling hub of warehouses and factories to a vibrant cultural epicentre that showcases the city’s artistic and entrepreneurial spirit.

The Baltic Triangle is a hive of activity, featuring venues, creative spaces, a vintage market and an artist-led gallery. The area provides an excellent alternative to the mainstream of the city centre.

In this article we’ll take a look at some of the best cultural and creative spaces in the Baltic Triangle.

1. Gustav Adolf Kyrka (Nordic Church) 

During the 19th Century, Liverpool was a major stop-off point for Scandinavians making the arduous journey across the seas to find their American dream. Gustav Adolf Kyrka became a place of sanctuary to thousands of emigrants on their way to the ‘New World’. The church is one of just four octagonal churches in England and of great architectural significance.

Today, it’s been adapted for the local community, offering a range of events such as theatre, craft fairs, coffee mornings and choral evenings. The church also holds regular Heritage Open Days, when visitors can tour the Grade II listed building.

Gustav Adolf Kyrka (Nordic Church): 138 Park Lane, L1

The Royal Standard is an artist-led gallery, established in order to showcase the most exciting, innovative exhibitions and events. They work with the most outstanding recent graduates and emerging artists, as well as more established practitioners.

The gallery has a host of upcoming Liverpool Biennial 2023 exhibitions, including works by artists Luke George and Maeve Thompson. They also hold a monthly life drawing session.

The Royal Standard: 5 Mann Street, L8

3. Baltic Market

Baltic Market is a great place to call-in for a bite to eat on a visit to the Baltic Triangle. Located at the Cains Brewery Village, they are known as the home of halloumi fries, frozen gin slush and wood-fired pizzas. Local traders at the food court include Christakis and Polpetta.

Now celebrating their sixth year, the market was Liverpool’s first street food market and is still well worth discovering.

Baltic Market: Cains Brewery Village, Stanhope Street, L8

4. McKeown Rice Exhibition Plinth

The Mckeown Rice Plinth near the Baltic Creative campus was curated by Castle Fine Arts Foundry and has been host to some incredible sculptures of the past ten years. The plinth enables both established and new artists to exhibit their work in the area.

The space is dedicated to two of Baltic’s founding members, Claire McKeown and Paul Rice. Both sadly passed away, but their work, dedication and contribution to the area is remembered through the art hosted at this fantastic space.

McKeown Rice Exhibition Plinth: 49 Jamaica Street, L1

5. Hangar 34

Hangar 34 is an event warehouse space, specialising in nightlife, live music and exhibitions. The venue recently hosted the acclaimed Rave UKraine event, a live link-up with a Kyiv venue and part of the Eurovision 2023 celebrations. The groundbreaking day featured Hot Chip, James Lavelle and experimental Ukrainian DJ Mingulitka.

Upcoming shows at Hangar 34 include The Wonderstuff, Eddi Reader and Liverpool’s Miles Kane.

Hangar 34: 34 Greenland Street, L1

6. HOBO Kiosk

Discover the friendliest and strangest little pub in the Baltic Triangle, HOBO Kiosk‘s interior has a lovely, vintage magic and charm. The pub also hosts small and secret gigs, anything from electronica to jazz, plus a film club night and a weekly quiz.

With carefully selected local beers, unique design and atmosphere, HOBO Kiosk is ideal for a quiet drink or a lively conversation across its vintage tables.

Hobo Kiosk: 9 Bridgewater Street, L1

7. Camp and Furnace

Right at the heart of the Baltic Triangle is Camp and Furnace. This multipurpose venue is an enormous space, that manages to remain cavernous yet atmospheric, regularly staging live gigs and DJ led club nights.

The venue has hosted many legendary shows and festivals, including Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia, which featured classic bands such as Super Furry Animals, Goat and The Black Angels. The festival attracted visitors and acclaim from around the world.

Camp and Furnace: 67 Greenland Street, L1

8. Red Brick Vintage

Red Brick Vintage is a giant warehouse of vintage, antiques, retro, salvage, hand-crafted, brocante, collectables, vinyl and more. A collection of over fifty independent businesses under one roof. From its inception in 2018, Red Brick has welcomed and supported independent traders, local artists and startup businesses.

A great place to wander around for a few hours and find a special bargain.

Red Brick Vintage: 70 Stanhope Street, L8

9. For All Liverpool’s Liver Birds

For All Liverpool’s Liverbirds is probably the most Instagrammed mural in Liverpool. Created by Liverpool street artist Paul Curtis, the idea was inspired by the city’s famous Liverbirds. Paul was originally a geologist in the oil industry before returning to Liverpool in 2016 to embark on a career as an artist.

Since its unveiling, the mural has appeared as the backdrop to thousands of visitors and tourists to the city, including The Duchess of Cornwall.

For All Liverpool’s Liver Birds: 43 Jamaica Street, L1

Find events happening in the Baltic Triangle and beyond by checking out our What’s On listings.

By Ade Blackburn

The city of Liverpool has a greater number of public sculptures than any other location in the United Kingdom, aside from Westminster. Here’s a selection of some of the fascinating monuments on display in the city.

1. Bessie Braddock Sculpture

Bessie Braddock was the Labour Party MP for Liverpool Exchange from 1945-70. She was an outspoken campaigner for better health, housing and education for the poor.

She rejected a ministerial post because, like her husband, Council Leader Jack Braddock, she preferred to remain locally-focussed and be a fierce advocate for her home city.

She was affectionately known as ‘Battling Bessie’ and was admired both locally and nationally.

On display: Lime Street Station

2. All Together Now – Christmas Truce 1914

3. William Mackenzie Tomb

The tomb of engineer William MacKenzie, situated in the graveyard of the former St Andrew’s Church in Rodney Street, Liverpool, is often talked about. It is said that he is not buried there, but instead sat above ground and also that his ghost roams the locality.

Legend has it that he was not buried but sat upright in the tomb. The story goes that McKenzie was supposedly entombed seated at a table with a winning hand of cards in his bony fingers.

Just like something out of a novel, William Mackenzie wasn’t buried in any old tomb. Instead, his burial site boasts a 4.57-metre pyramid-shaped tombstone, embellished with a turquoise placard and inscription. For history, mystery, and architecture fans headed to Liverpool, consider adding Mackenzie’s tomb to your itinerary.

On display: St Andrew’s Church Grounds

4. Bill Shankly Sculpture

Sculptor Tom Murphy’s most popular work and an integral part of the Liverpool Tourist trail. Since its unveiling in 1997, thousands of football fans across the world have been pictured with this Bill Shankly Sculpture which stands at the entrance to Anfield.

Commissioned by Calsberg Internation for Liverpool Football Club, it is cast in bronze, stands 14 feet high off the ground on a plinth of Scottish granite – in deference to Shankly’s Scottish Mining background.

On display: Entrance to Anfield Football Stadium

5. Billy Fury Sculpture

Billy Fury was born Ronald Wycherley in Haliburton Street in The Dingle, Liverpool on 17 April 1940. He first found fame in the early 1960s and is remembered as one of the most famous stars in the history of British rock and roll. His total record sales were on a par with acts such as Elvis, The Beatles and Cliff Richard.

His statue, made by Liverpool sculptor Tom Murphy in 2003, was commissioned by ‘The Sound of Fury’ fan club following six years of fundraising and donations from fans, both members and non members, from home and abroad.

The sculpture was very kindly donated to National Museums Liverpool by ‘The Sound of Fury’ as a lasting tribute to Billy, one of Liverpool’s greatest stars.

On display: Outside of Piermaster’s House, Albert Dock

6. Kitty Wilkinson Sculpture

By Ade Blackburn

Liverpool has a fascinating and rich heritage of theatres and cinemas. These architectural gems stand as a testament to the city’s passion for entertainment and the arts throughout the decades. Here’s a selection of some of the most-loved and celebrated venues in the city.

1. The Futurist

Opened on 16th September 1912, as Lime Street Picture House, the venue was a very upmarket city centre cinema, with a tiled Edwardian façade and circle auditorium, richly decorated with plasterwork in the French Renaissance style.

In 1920, the building was renamed The Futurist, a name the building still held until its demolition in August 2016. The ABC owned Futurist was very popular, despite competition from the huge Paramount and Forum cinemas nearby, which sometimes forced The Futurist into taking off-circuit films.

Eventually, as ABC tripled their main cinema (the ex-Forum directly across the street), The Futurist was closed in July 1982, during a run of Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles.

2. Royal Court Theatre

Built in the 18th Century, the circus owner, John Cooke, bought the site for his circus shows, plays, operas and concerts, and it became known as Cooke’s Royal Amphitheatre of Arts. In 1881, the building was redesigned by Henry Sumner as a regular theatre and re-opened as the Royal Court Theatre.

The interior of the building displays a nautical theme, in line with Liverpool’s seafaring traditions. The basement lounge even has its design based on the Queen Mary Liner.

Although the Blitz of World War Two destroyed many of the surrounding buildings, The Royal Court remained intact. Throughout the war, many well-known artists performed in the Royal Court, including Ivor Novello, Margot Fonteyn, John Gielgud and Richard Burton. In 1990, the building was finally listed as Grade II.

3. Rialto Cinema

The Rialto Cinema in Toxteth was a famous landmark throughout the 1950s and early 60s. The Liverpool architects of the building were Gray and Evans of North John Street. They were tasked with designing a complex that would accommodate a cinema, ballroom, billiard hall, a large cafe and twelve good sized shops, all under one roof!

The ballroom was decorated with large painted murals on the walls, providing grand Venetian views for their customers. The Liverpool Echo even described the interior of the Rialto as staggering.

The Rialto closed in February 1964, with a screening of Doris Day in The Thrill of it All and the venue was later converted into a bingo hall. The historic building was burned down in the L8 uprising of 1981 but has since been rebuilt and now houses offices, flats and shops.

4. Playhouse Theatre

This much-loved Liverpool venue originated in 1866 as a music hall, and in 1911 developed into a repertory theatre. The grand interior was decorated in an impressive Greek Revival style.

The Playhouse is the oldest repertory theatre in the UK and nurtured the early careers of many actors, some of whom went on to achieve national and international fame. Future stars who learned their craft at the Playhouse include Noel Coward, Richard Burton, Patricia Routledge and Anthony Hopkins.

The theatre also helped foster the early-careers of many Merseyside writers, including Alan Bleasdale and Willy Russell. One of the Playhouse’s great successes was a staging of Russell’s Blood Brothers in 1983.

5. The Gaumont Palace 

The Gaumont Palace cinema was based in Anfield, a large art deco building, just one hundred metres from the football ground. Central marble steps led customers to five pairs of glazed oak doors, which were complete with stainless steel fittings. The cinema even had gold stage curtains and a movable floor to accommodate an orchestra.

The Gaumont’s heyday was the 1940s but the building has since played an important role within the local community. In the nineties, the venue reopened as the Liverpool Lighthouse, operating an Urban Gospel Arts Centre in the heart of Anfield.

Liverpool Lighthouse still thrives today, with a wide range of activities for the community. They received a Health and Wellbeing award from Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity in 2023.

6. Olympia Theatre (Renamed Eventim Olympia)

The Olympia Theatre was designed by architect Frank Matcham in 1905. The auditorium boasted three balconies and its ornate interior was decorated with elephants and Indian panelling.

The theatre had a vast stage and was also designed to house circus events – the elephant, horse and lions’ accommodation still survives below the stage. Performing animals would appear in the auditorium by being lifted from the basement where they lived. Evidence of the lift mechanism and living areas can still be found under the theatre.

Since reopening as a music venue, the Eventim Olympia, has played host to some legendary gigs, including Mogwai, The Specials and Ocean Colour Scene.

7. The Epstein Theatre

Liverpool’s legendary Crane Brothers’ music shop had been trading for several years, when they opened a music hall above their store on Hanover Street. Many amateur drama groups staged productions there, and led to its renaming as the Crane Theatre in 1938.

The venue is a stunning Grade II listed building and retains many of its impressive original features. The interior has a proscenium arch-type stage and superb acoustics for music shows. The theatre was renamed The Neptune by Liverpool Corporation in 1967, the new name being a reference to the city’s maritime history.

Since it’s 2011 reopening as The Epstein Theatre, the venue has firmly re-established it’s place as a popular destination for drama, panto and comedy.

8. Everyman Theatre

Originally known as Hope Hall, the building was conceived as a dissenter’s chapel, opening in 1837, but was soon re-imagined as a concert hall, and later as a cinema, known as Hope Hall Cinema.

The cinema’s situation on Hope Street, and its friendly and bohemian environment, meant that it gradually took on another role in the 1960s, becoming an unofficial meeting place for artists, musicians, poets and actors. The people became known in the area as ‘The Liverpool Scene’.

This group of artists eventually took on the task of converting the building into a theatre with a new apron stage, new seating, and new dressing rooms for its artistes. The Everyman Theatre opened in 1964 and soon became the spawning ground for a great many well known names of today.

By Ade Blackburn

The Eurovision Song Contest has been one of the most anticipated music events in the world for over six decades, bringing together countries from across Europe and beyond to compete for the title of the continent’s best song. Eurovision always provides a great deal of fun and is renowned for having some jaw-dropping moments. From hardcore rock to bizarre fairytales, the contest seldom disappoints.

With the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest set to take place in Liverpool this May, now is the perfect time to look back on some of the competition’s most memorable performances.

Here’s a selection of historical moments from the competition.

1. Sandie Shaw

The first British Eurovision triumph was Sandie Shaw with Puppet on a String in 1967. A convincing winner but of the five songs she was offered to perform, Puppet on a String was Shaw’s least favourite.

In her own words, ‘I hated it from the very first ‘oompah’ to the final ‘bang’ on the big bass drum’ and even went as far as describing the song as ‘cuckoo-clock’ music.

Puppet on a String won the contest hands down though and became her third number one hit in the UK and a big worldwide smash.

2. Abba 

One of the greatest and most iconic performances to ever grace the Eurovision stage. Eurovision had always been popular but it was Abba with Waterloo that lifted it into the pop culture stratosphere.

Their glam-inspired performance in 1974 gave Sweden their first-ever win in the contest. The title and lyrics reference the 1815 Battle of Waterloo, and use it as a metaphor for a romantic relationship.

By Ade Blackburn

Merseyside has some excellent spring walks to explore, ranging from city trails around Liverpool to scenic walks in areas such as Wirral Peninsula and Calderstones Park.

1. Rimrose Valley Country Park

Crosby’s Rimrose Valley Park sits by the side of the Leeds Liverpool Canal and includes the delightful Brookvale Local Nature Reserve.

As Sefton’s only non-coastal reserve, Brookvale provides a unique green oasis amongst what is otherwise a heavily populated and industrialised area. With its interesting network of pathways and raised boardwalks, Brookvale and Rimrose Valley as a whole, provide opportunities for quiet countryside walks in an area where those activities are scarce.

The site now boasts a mosaic of several habitats including Reed-bed swamp, Rimrose Brook, a hand-built pond system and Willow Carr woodland.

Rimrose Valley Country Park: 29 Parklands Way, Liverpool, L22 3YX.

This walk in Birkenhead explores 100 of acres heathland and woodland with historic buildings and ancient rock carvings. The Bidston Hill park includes a 16th century windmill, the grade II listed Bidston Observatory and Bidston Lighthouse. The hill rises to 231 feet so there are fantastic views of Wirral from the summit.

The park is a great place to walk and you will find lakes, woodland and pretty gardens to visit on a series of surfaced footpaths. There’s also a number of Grade I listed buildings to see.

Bidston Hill: Boundary Road, Wirral, CH43 7PD.

3. Calderstones Park

Lovely Calderstones Park in Liverpool covers nearly one hundred acres of land. There’s easy to navigate footpaths taking you to woodland, lakes and a beautiful botanical garden. The area is also home to 4000 species of plants with vibrant colours in the summer months.

The park is named after a number of ancient megaliths that are said to be older than Stonehenge. Other highlights include a 1000 year old tree, a peaceful Japanese garden and a park cafe.

The Trans Pennine Trail runs past the northern edge of the park. You can pick this up to continue your walking in the area and heading west will bring you to Sefton Park.

Calderstones Park: Calderstones Rd, Liverpool, L18 3JB.

Enjoy waterside walking and cycling along Britain’s longest single canal, the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The canal runs for 126 miles across the Pennines, passing many villages, towns and cities with a fascinating heritage and industrial history. There are also many scenic locks, viaducts and some wonderful countryside to enjoy.

Walkers can enjoy the whole route from Leeds to Liverpool, while there are several sections for cyclists too. Near Burscough, you’ll pass the wonderful Martin Mere Nature Reserve where you can look for otters, flamingos, beavers and thousands of water loving birds.

5. Liverpool City Walk

This long circular Liverpool City Walk, through the centre of Liverpool, visits the most famous sights. You’ll visit the waterfront, Albert Dock, Liverpool Festival Gardens, Sefton Park and Princes Park on this ten mile trail. The route uses the waymarked Trans Pennine Trail and is also suitable for cyclists.

The walk starts at St John’s Gardens where you can view The Gladstone Monument dedicated to the memory of W. E. Gladstone, a former Prime Minister, who was born in Liverpool and died in 1898.

After exploring the gardens, the route leads to the Cavern Club and then heads towards the waterfront passing Liverpool ONE. The area includes the attractive Chavasse Park and a chance to enjoy a walk along the Liverpool Canal Link on Mann Island.

Climb to the highest point on Merseyside and enjoy fantastic views as far as Snowdonia in Wales, on this Billinge Hill walk in St Helens.

The walk starts in Longshaw, where there is a footpath into the woods of the Billinge Plantation. Follow the woodland trails south and you will gradually ascend to the hill summit on the other side of the plantation.

The hill stands at a height of 587 ft, with excellent views towards Great Orme in Wales, Blackpool tower, Greater Manchester, Winter Hill and the Derbyshire Peak District. You’ll also see a beacon tower at the summit and several large transmitter masts nearby.

Billinge Hill: Billinge, St Helens, WN5 7NW.

7. Formby Beach

Explore the beaches, sand dunes and woodland in this beautiful nature reserve at Formby Beach. The area is famous for its wildlife, with the natterjack toad and the red squirrel being the major highlights.

The reserve is run by the National Trust so you will find a series of well laid out footpaths and waymarked trails. There is a squirrel trail through the lovely pine woodlands, where you can look out for the growing population of red squirrels.

There’s also an asparagus trail where you can learn about Formby’s asparagus heritage. The trail also passes through farmland with Hebridean and Herdwick sheep.

Formby Beach: Victoria Road, Formby, Liverpool L37 1LJ.

By Ade Blackburn

There’s a fantastic range of things to do in Birkenhead. From the grand architecture of its Victorian landmarks to the serene expanses of its parks and gardens, here’s a closer look at the top things to do in Birkenhead. We’re uncovering the best attractions, activities, and hidden corners, including including innovative venues such as Future Yard and Make Hamilton Square, Additionally, there’s the excellent Williamson Gallery and Museum and the beautiful Birkenhead Park, plus much more.

1. Future Yard

Future Yard brings some of today’s most exciting new national and international artists to Wirral, whilst providing performance opportunities and training for emerging local musicians.

The venue is run on a non-profit basis and is committed to a goal of becoming the first carbon-neutral grassroots music venue in the North of England.

Future Yard CIC have also recently set up Future50, a scheme where organisations can pledge to support their Neighbourhood Fund. The scheme will fund free and subsidised training and events for local people.

Upcoming live shows include, Badly Drawn Boy, Steve Mason and legendary Liverpool band The Stairs.

Future Yard: 75 Argyle Street, Birkenhead, CH41 6AB.

2. Make Hamilton Square

In 2019 Make CIC worked with Wirral Council to open a community creative hub in Birkenhead, Make Hamilton Square.

The vibrant urban growing space, services an in-house cafe with seasonal produce and honey from their busy bees. The space is also home to fifty businesses and makers, alongside an incredible programme of workshops and activities.

Make continues to support many creatives to run classes and start businesses. They provide space for people to affordably host shows and exhibitions, often for the first time.

Make Hamilton Square: 2 Cleveland Street, Birkenhead, CH41 6ND.

3. Williamson Art Gallery & Museum

One of Wirral’s hidden gems, Williamson Art Gallery & Museum is just minutes from the heart of Birkenhead.

Their wide-ranging permanent collections include painting, sculpture, furniture, prints and decorative arts. They are also home to the largest public collection of Della Robbia pottery in the UK – Birkenhead’s contribution to the Arts & Crafts movement.

Meanwhile, their superb ship models celebrate the region’s fascinating maritime history. They also host a range of temporary exhibitions and events.

Williamson Art Gallery: Slatey Rd, Oxton, Birkenhead, Prenton, CH43 4UE.

4. RAWD

Ten years ago, a disabled theatre company was set up with a focus to enable, enhance and engage disabled artists across Wirral, through weekly sessions.

In their 10th year, RAWD has got a little bigger, with more members and a wider outreach. They continue to champion disabled artists and put them centre stage in theatres and festivals.

RAWD explore new and innovative ways to turn-up disabled voices in the arts as a whole; with fun and inclusivity at its heart.

RAWD: Tranmere Methodist Church, 4 Whitfield St, Birkenhead CH42 0LF.

Birkenhead Priory is a unique family outing – experience the history, wonder and beauty of this 850 year old site. As the oldest standing building on Merseyside, the Priory offers a unique insight into the town of Birkenhead, and its historical and spiritual importance in the North West.

Now surrounded by factory units and shipyards, the Priory is an oasis of calm in a busy world. Head along and explore the site with the whole family. Climb the 101 steps to the top of St Mary’s tower for spectacular views of the Mersey and local area.

You can even bring a picnic to enjoy in their grounds!

Birkenhead Priory: Priory St, Birkenhead, CH41 5JH.

6. The Hive/Wirral Youth Zone

Wirral Youth Zone, named by young people as ‘The Hive’, is a purpose-built facility for young people aged 8 – 19, and up to 25 for those with disabilities.

Young people have access to fantastic facilities for a cost of £5 for an annual membership and 50p per visit. The facilities include a climbing wall, boxing gym, music suite, art room and sensory room.

The Youth Zone provides a safe environment where young people can come and enjoy themselves and enables them to raise their aspirations and confidence.

The Hive: Bright St, Birkenhead CH41 4EA.

7. Wirral Transport Museum and Heritage Tramway

Wirral Transport Museum & Heritage Tramway is a working museum and heritage tramway preserving buses, trams and other local transport vehicles

Back when Birkenhead was a pioneering industrial town it was the first place in Europe to adopt a street tramway. The trams ceased operating in 1937, but visitors can ride on original fully restored heritage trams, see their collection of preserved local buses and view their ongoing restoration projects in the museum.

They also have a huge working model railway, ideal for keeping the whole family entertained!

Wirral Transport Museum and Heritage Tramway: 1 Taylor Street, Birkenhead, CH41 1BG.

8. Convenience Gallery

Convenience Gallery  is a community-centered arts organisation providing opportunities for local communities to engage, create and work in the arts. They take art out into public spaces and mental health settings, rather than traditional environments, working with local people.

The gallery are advocates for artists fair pay, mental health, wellbeing and inclusion. They are dedicated to championing the arts and artists.

They always aim to create high quality, diverse, educational and challenging programming.

Convenience Gallery: 3 Abbey Close, Birkenhead, CH41 5FQ.

9. Birkenhead Park

On Easter Monday 1847, the gates were opened to the very first publicly funded park in the world. Designed by Joseph Paxton – Birkenhead Park was created to be the People’s Garden – a place where the lowliest peasant to the British Monarch could enjoy a piece of the countryside in 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 returning it to its former glory. Today, Birkenhead Park is a Grade I listed landscape, it caters for all visitors with a number of sports such as football, cricket, bowls, angling and cycling, as well as providing an onsite visitors centre.

Birkenhead Park: Park Drive, Birkenhead, CH41 4HY.

By Ade Blackburn

Runcorn and Widnes are well worth a visit to explore their unique outdoor and indoor attractions. The towns offer beautiful garden spaces, Halton Castle, a cutting edge science museum and the excellent Brindley Theatre.

1. Norton Priory Museum and Gardens

Norton Priory is the most excavated monastic site in Europe. Boasting the priory ruins, and an 18th century Walled Garden, it is located within an oasis of 42 acres of tranquil woodland and wildflower meadows.

The museum includes two exhibition galleries which explore the site’s history, including the archaeological digs which took place in the 1970s and 1980s. Thousands of artefacts from Norton’s 900 year history are on display, including the 14th century statue of St. Christopher, which features in Lucy M. Boston’s classic children’s book, The Children of Green Knowe.

Norton Priory: Tudor Road, Runcorn, WA7 1SX.

2. The Brindley Theatre

Located by the Bridgewater Canal, the centre is named after the canal’s engineer, James Brindley. It opened in autumn 2004. The Brindley Theatre has won several awards for its architecture including the Architectural Award from the Royal Institute of British Architects.

The venue plays host to touring productions, a professional pantomime each Christmas season, local amateur shows and in-house productions. A separate  studio space serves as a single screen cinema, an exhibition and gallery. The venue’s bar and café overlook the scenic canal.

The Brindley Theatre: High Street, Runcorn, WA7 1BG.

3. Halton Castle

The castle is one of the two surviving Norman castles in Cheshire and stands on a rocky hill overlooking the Mersey River above the former village of Halton. This location is a clear choice for it’s elevation and potential as an observation post.

At Halton Castle, there are a number of fascinating features such as the sally port, garderobe and tower. The castle itself is opened for special events and tours several times a year, however it is accessible to walk around the castle walls at any time of the year.

Halton Castle: Castle Road, Runcorn, WA7 2BE.

4. Wigg Island Community Park

A community park and local nature reserve, Wigg Island was originally Runcorn saltmarsh. A community park was opened in 2002 by the Mayor of Halton and celebrity birdwatcher Bill Oddie.

The nature reserve covers 57 acres and is very popular with birdwatchers. There are a number of bird hides and long views over the Mersey estuary, with plenty of wide open spaces. It’s also great for dogs and there’s woodland walks with trolls and sculptures, Bee Orchids are amongst the wild flowers found there.

The area has a cycle path leading from Wigg to Port Warrington and Moore Nature Reserve as well as a visitor centre and a wind turbine.

Wigg Island Community Park: Expressway A553, off Astmoor Industrial Estate, Runcorn, WA7 1LU.

5. Catalyst Science Discovery Centre

Catalayst makes science exciting and accessible to people of all ages and abilities, explore the award winning galleries, visit the stunning interactive theatre, experience fun activities in the lab or travel 30m above the River Mersey in the external glass lift to the glass walled observatory gallery.

The museum regularly hosts family shows and hands-on workshops to help get everyone involved in the world of science. The centre also has an Elements cafe with scenic riverside views.

Catalyst is normally open Tuesday to Sunday and has free car parking.

Catalyst Science Discovery Centre: Mersey Road, Widnes, WA8 ODF.

6. Pickerings Pasture

A nice area for a short walk, free parking, plenty of grassed areas to explore and to see the lovely wild flowers and birds. Pickerings Pasture is a beautiful, relaxing, local riverside walking spot. The site was many years ago the local council’s household refuse tip but has been brilliantly reclaimed.

A Green Flag Award winning local nature reserve with acres of wild flower meadows and a fabulous view across the upper Mersey estuary.

Pickerings Pasture: Mersey View Road, Widnes, WA8 8LP.

7. Widnes Market

Both indoor and outdoor, Widnes Market offers the shopper traditional value in a modern setting.

Stallholders provide fresh fruit, fish, vegetables, flowers, fresh and cooked meats, a wide range of clothing and furnishings, hardware, telephone accessories, Cafe, and even haircuts! Wednesdays there’s a flea and collectors market selling second hand goods, from books to vacuum cleaners and coins.

Open every day except Tuesday and Sunday, they offer free parking, next to the bus station and near the central shopping area.

Widnes Market: Bradley Way, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 6UE.

8. Spike Island

A lovely local, canal side walking area, situated at the end of the old St Helens canal, on the edge of the River Mersey. It is an artificial island between the Sankey Canal and the estuary of the river. The area plays host to a range of waterfowl and friendly swans. There are also short hiking trails you can take, with a suggested duration of 1-2 hours.

The island is also famous for being the site of the legendary Stone Roses one day festival in 1990. The gig briefly turned Spike Island into the coolest place in the country.

Spike Island: Upper Mersey Rd, Widnes WA8 0DG.

To discover events happening across the Liverpool city region visit our What’s On events listings.