Liverpool sits in a very handy spot. The Mersey and the Wirral are on the doorstep, Chester is under an hour away, Manchester is a short train ride east, and North Wales and the Lake District can be reached in a long day. Some of the best trips are by train from the city centre, while the mountains and lakes are easier by organised tour or car. Here is how to choose.
Chester
The walled Roman city of Chester is the classic day out from Liverpool, about three-quarters of an hour away by train. Walk the city walls, which form a complete circuit of about two miles and give a good view of the old streets. Explore the Rows, the medieval two-tier shopping galleries along the main streets, visit the cathedral and the remains of the Roman amphitheatre, and stroll beside the River Dee. Chester Zoo is one of the largest zoos in Britain and a popular family option on the outskirts. Allow a full day, and go early to enjoy the walls before the crowds.
Port Sunlight
On the Wirral, a short train ride from Liverpool, Port Sunlight is a model village built by William Hesketh Lever for the workers at his soap factory from the 1880s. Its half-timbered cottages, tree-lined streets and green spaces are charming, and the Lady Lever Art Gallery holds a fine collection of paintings, sculpture and decorative arts. It is an easy half-day trip, and it pairs well with a visit to Chester on the same day if you have an early start.
Crosby Beach and the Sefton coast
Take the Northern Line for Antony Gormley’s hundred iron figures at Crosby Beach, a free, atmospheric excursion that takes only half a day, then continue up the line to Formby, where National Trust pinewoods and dunes are home to red squirrels, or to Southport, with its long pier and the elegant boulevard of Lord Street. Check tide times for the iron men, and wrap up warm, because the coast is windy.
The Beatles beyond the centre
You do not have to leave the city to get a day out. A morning at Woolton can take in Strawberry Field and St Peter’s Church, where John Lennon and Paul McCartney first met, and the National Trust tour of the Beatles childhood homes at Mendips and 20 Forthlin Road leaves from Liverpool South Parkway station or from Speke Hall. This is the best option for fans with a free day.
Across the Mersey
The ferry crossing itself is a mini day trip. The Wirral side has the Seacombe ferry terminal with family attractions nearby, and the Wirral coast is good for walking, with sandy beaches, country parks and views across the estuary. It is a relaxing change of pace from the city.
Manchester
Liverpool and Manchester are a little under an hour apart by train, and each has a very different character. Manchester has the National Football Museum, the Science and Industry Museum, the Northern Quarter’s independent shops and bars and a fine collection of Victorian buildings. It makes a good day trip for football and music fans and for anyone who wants a taste of a second great northern city.
North Wales
North Wales is about an hour and a half away by road, and the coast and mountains are wonderful. Conwy Castle and its walled town, the Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno and the peaks of Snowdonia are the most popular targets. Several day tours run from Liverpool, and a car makes it easier to stop where you like. Allow a long day, and check the weather before you go, as mountain views depend on clear skies.
The Lake District
England’s largest national park can be reached in about two hours each way, so this is a long day. Most visitors take an organised tour that covers Windermere and a lake cruise, which saves the stress of driving. If you want to hike, it is better to stay overnight. The trip suits visitors who love scenery and have only a short time in the region.
Choosing between them
For history and shopping, choose Chester. For art and architecture, choose Port Sunlight. For fresh air and a short train ride, choose the Sefton coast. For mountains and castles, choose North Wales. For the lakes, choose the Lake District, but only if you do not mind a long day. Use a comfortable hotel in the city as your base, such as Pullman Liverpool by the waterfront or Radisson Blu Hotel Liverpool in the centre, and plan your trips for fine days, keeping the museums for the wet ones.