By Jessica Marshall
Are you yearning to get out and about but you’re on a budget? We’ve compiled a list of free activities to dive into around the Liverpool city region.
Halton
Halton Castle
If you’re a fan of history and you love visiting historic monuments and ruins then Halton castle remains is a perfect place for you to visit. Just a short drive over the Runcorn bridge, you can visit this Norman castle situated on a hill that looks over Halton village. So not only will you get to see the ruins, but you’ll also have a beautiful view to gaze at from the hill. There are often events and tours available to venture into the castle so keep a look out for any updates if this is something you’d be interested in.
Victoria Park
Located in Widnes, Victoria Park is filled with lots of wildlife and beautiful scenery. Take a stroll around the stunning lake and appreciate the birds and the flowers. There is also a glasshouse that you can to visit and wander inside to take a look at the diverse types of plants that are coming into bloom.
The Centre
The Centre located in Halton is a community centre that is open to the public throughout the week which includes a skate park, ballpark, playground, café, and community centre. Located in the Lune Valley, you can even venture off to go on a lovely nature walk. With lots to do here, it is the perfect place for a day trip with the family.
Knowsley
Kirkby Gallery
Kirkby Gallery is known to be one of the best contemporary art galleries in Merseyside and best of all, it has free admission! It includes local artists as well as international pieces for you to browse. They also often host adult and children’s art classes if you want to get creative. Located in Kirkby town centre, the gallery is open from 10am-5pm, Monday to Friday and on Saturday from 10am-1pm.
Prescot Museum
Why not visit Prescot Museum to step back in time and learn about Knowsley’s past. With over 14,000 items to browse, this museum tells the tale of the people who built Knowsley’s reputation, from businesses to pottery manufacture and coal mining. There’s lots to learn on this trip. This museum is open 10am-5pm, Monday to Friday and on Saturday at 10am to 1pm.
Sefton
The Atkinson
The Atkinson describes itself as a cultural pick and mix for the family. There’s music, theatre, art, literature and history all under one roof.
Sefton Coastal Path
The Sefton Coastal Path at Southport is a beautiful journey through a variety of landscapes – perfect for blowing away those cobwebs. See the impressive Southport Pier, salt marshes of the Ribble Estuary, the RSPB Nature Reserve and the Queen’s Jubilee Nature Trail. The 9.5 mile route starts at Crossens and finishes at Ainsdale.
Another Place at Crosby Beach
Crosby Beach has beautiful views over to New Brighton and is also home to the famous sculptures of Anthony Gormley’s Another Place – 100 cast iron statues stretching for 1.5 miles. Gormley described the installation as a poetic response to the individual and universal sentiments associated with emigration – sadness at leaving, but the hope of a new future in Another Place.
St Helens
The Dream Sculpture
Located on the former site of Sutton Manor Colliery, Dream is a 20 metre high sculpture designed by the world-renowned artist, Jaume Plensa. The site offers views across the Cheshire and Lancashire plains, out to the mountains of Snowdonia, the Pennines and the Peak District. The Dream Sculpture is a great day out if you enjoy walking as there’s some brilliant trails to explore around the sculpture too.
The Smithy Heritage Centre
Formally a busy blacksmith’s forge in the heart of Eccleston village, The Smithy Heritage Centre hosts an exhibition focusing on the impact industry has had on St Helens. With lots of historic items inside, history is brought to life here, making it the perfect family visit. They are open from 1-4pm on weekends.
Taylor Park
If you’re looking for some new parks to visit this summer, Taylor Park is a lovely place to go to relax, have a stroll around the lake and maybe bring a picnic to enjoy on the grassy fields. Although, if you forget to bring food there is a café and ice cream parlour at the park to stop by if you get hungry. There are also two playgrounds located in the park for your little ones to enjoy.
Wirral
West Kirby Marine Lake
If you’re looking for a lake side trip or you love to watch boats travel across the waves, then West Kirby Marine Lake is the perfect destination for you. It’s set on the tip of peninsula with beautiful views of the Welsh hills and the Dee Estuary. If you’re more on the adventurous side then you can use the lake for water sports or sailing or take a stroll on the beach.
Wirral Tramway and Wirral Transport Museum
Travel back in time to Wirral’s past with this transport museum where you’ll have the chance to browse models of trains, buses, trams, cars, and motorcycles of the past. Open Wednesday to Sunday on school holidays from 1pm to 4.30pm, there’s lots to learn and see here, perfect for an educational family trip.
Tam O’Shanter Farm
Located on the Bidston Hills in Wirral is the Tom O’Shanter urban farm and cottage which has free entry and is open every day. With lots of animals to see such as goats, pigs, alpacas, ponies and much more, this is a perfect trip to go on with family or friends. There is also a park onsite for the kids to play in and there is a café and picnic areas located at the farm to grab a bite to eat after a long day of petting the animals.
The Wirral Way Walk
The Wirral Way is situated within the beautiful Wirral Country Park. The route starts in West Kirby and runs through to Hooton along an old disused railway line. Wirral Country Park is perfect for seeing wildlife, a variety of birds nest in the dense hedges and you may see up to ten kinds of butterfly in summer. There are also stunning views over the Dee Estuary to Wales. The entire route is 13 miles but you can just choose to walk sections of the Wirral Way.
Hilbre Island
You can visit Hilbre Island throughout the year, it’s a pleasant walk across the sands from West Kirby to the island – an archipelago and one of just 43 unbridged islands in the UK that can be reached on foot from the mainland. In the summer, it’s possible to see grey seals swimming just off the shore, and it’s a great place for spotting sightings of rare and endangered wildlife all year round. It takes roughly an hour to cross the 2 miles to Hilbre Island and is essential to time your walk to fit in with the tides.
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