Merseyside is a county in the North West of England and was created in 1974 from areas such as Birkenhead, Wallasey, Liverpool, and Bootle. Other parts of the administrative areas of Cheshire and Lancashire were also merged into Merseyside.
Points of interest in the County of Merseyside include John Lennon’s home, Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, and the Albert Dock. Merseyside is around 3.5 hours by train from London and about 5 hours by coach on a direct connection.
Towns in Merseyside
Merseyside is a county rich in cultural history and diversity, with major exponents of the art, music, sports, and literature coming from cities like Liverpool and St Helens.
Liverpool
Liverpool won the Capital of Culture award in 2008, beating off competition from Cardiff, Bristol, Birmingham, Newcastle, and Oxford. With spectacular museums and attractions, along with a glut of historical buildings to see,
Liverpool has an absolute multitude of things to see and do including the famous Beatles Museum, the Albert Dock and the iconic Anfield, home of the most successful football club in England, Liverpool FC.
St. Helens
This large town is comparatively young, only being formed in the middle of the 19th century; however, its origins date back to the 1600s, where for a long time it was a small village surrounding the original chapel of St. Helens. Attractions of note include the World of Glass, Carr Mill Dam, and Darkstar Laser Arena.
St Helens is a very commercial town with great shopping for all tastes along with lovely restaurants offering everything from fine gourmet dining to fast food.
Birkenhead
Birkenhead is a port town on the banks of the River Mersey and is the home of the fabled Mersey Ferry, the subject of the great Gerry Marsden song “Ferry, Cross the Mersey”. The town has a strong maritime history, with many notable vessels being built for the English military as well as commercial and pleasure craft.
Places to visit in Birkenhead include the aforementioned Mersey Ferry, the Lady Lever Art Gallery, and Basingwerk Abbey.
Parks and Gardens
There are many parks, gardens, and country houses to see in Merseyside, from all ages including Elizabethan, Edwardian and Jacobean.
Meols Hall
Meols Hall has stood in place since the reign of King John, and dates back to the days of Norse settlers. Set in hundreds of acres of idyllic woodland and parkland, Meols Hall is a wonderful place to get lost in and sample wildflowers in full bloom, along with wonderful old trees and shrubs.
There is also an antique and perfectly preserved tithe barn on the grounds, which is full of character and old world charm. Visit the website here: Meols Hall
Knowsley Hall
Knowsley Hall is a stunning, grand old manor house situated in Prescott, Merseyside and is the epitome of English pomp and ceremony with its 1000 year history rich in such names as Capability Brown and Robert Adam, celebrated estate planners by Royal Appointment.
The parks and gardens surrounding the hall itself are rich with perfect lawns, beautiful ponds and fountains and wide expanses of green dotted with beautiful trees and teeming with local wildlife. Visit the website here: Knowlsey Hall
Speke Hall
A Tudor mansion situated in Liverpool, the Hall itself is 400 years old and is brimming with personality and charm. Its design is truly magnificent with old, dark timber frames and white facades along with elegant shuttered windows and beautiful gardens.
With varieties of yellow and white daffodils springing forth at the turn of the year, along with manicured lawns and sculpted hedges, this is truly a garden paradise. View the website: Speke Hall
Attractions and Places to See
Merseyside has a rich cultural history, with its roots in art, music, sport, and literature. There are a variety of places to visit for culture vultures and sports fans alike.
The Beatles Museum
The most successful music band of all time hails from Liverpool, and in their honor, a museum celebrating their wonderful story has been erected on the Albert Dock in Liverpool. With replicas of the places that helped the Beatles in their rise to fame, including the Casbah, the Cavern, and Mathew Street along with an interactive timeline, fans of the Beatles should prepare to be transported on a most magical journey,
tracing the careers of four of the most gifted musicians of the modern age. Visit the website here: Beatles Museum
Liverpool Empire Theatre
Abba Mania, the Dreamboys, the ELO Experience, a Vision of Elvis, Burt Bacharach. These are just a smattering of the extremely varied shows and performances hosted by this grand old theatre.
With Riverdance and Dawn French’s 30 Million Minutes topping the bill here, there is always something worth seeing at the fabulous Liverpool Empire Theatre. To find out what’s coming up, visit the website: Liverpool Empire Theatre
Albert Dock
Continuing the tour of Liverpool, we arrive next to Albert Dock. A realization of a dream comprising wonderful shopping, a celebration of culture and a host of events and sights to see, Albert Dock is a top tourist destination, drawing in millions every year.
And rightly so. With celebrations of Liverpool’s maritime heritage, stories of smugglers and adventure, art museums and history exhibit galore all wrapped up in a glorious package of tours and day trips, Albert Dock is truly a unique experience. Visit the website here: Albert Dock
Things to Do
Merseyside offers many different days out, with great scenery, interesting events, and great shows. Cultural diversity is a watchword in Merseyside, so there is always something to see and do, wherever you may find yourself.
Knowsley Safari Park
Knowsley Safari Park has one of the best selections of wild animals in Europe, including proud and menacing big cats, furtive and secretive meerkats and deer, as well as gigantic rhinos and hippos.
They boast such wonderful creatures as a Siberian tiger, a white rhino, mischievous baboons and the majestic buffalo. Visit the website for details of tours and events: Knowsley Safari Park
Spaceport – Wallasey
Launch into the stars and outer space as you are taken on a whirlwind tour of the solar system, experience atmospheres on remote worlds as well as discover weird and wonderful facts about astronauts and life in space.
With a 360 degree planetarium and 6 themed galleries to walk through, Spaceport is a two-hour experience that no-one ever forgets. Find out more here: Spaceport
Lady Lever Art Gallery
This wonderful gem, based in Wirral’s Port Village, has some utterly beautiful collections of art, pottery, and sculpture from masters and geniuses all around the world. With Pre-Raphaelite art and Victorian masterpieces from Lord Leighton among others, along with exquisite tapestries, breathtaking sculptures,
and fine Wedgwood porcelain, the Lady Lever Art Gallery is required visiting for any lover of art. View the website for more information: Lady Lever Art Gallery
Afternoon Tea Ideas in Merseyside
Afternoon Tea is also sometimes referred to as “High Tea” and this fine old English tradition is adored in Merseyside as much as it is anywhere else.
London Carriage Works – Liverpool
This prestigious restaurant has a unique position, sitting directly between Liverpool’s two cathedrals, as well as being within easy reach of the Unity and Everyman theatres and a whole host of other exciting venues and buildings.
The menu boasts a simply ravishing bouquet of delights including Pavlovas, bound roast chicken, fresh berries and scones with clotted cream and sweet jams as well as champagne, prosecco, teas, and coffees. View the website here: London Carriage Works
The Hilton Liverpool
Experience grand dining at The Hilton Hotel in Liverpool, with exquisitely and expertly prepared food, wonderful blends of teas and coffees, each selected for their unique flavors and aromas and simply mouth-watering cakes and pastries, all imaginatively arranged and presented with a flourish.
Afternoon tea at the Hilton is a high-class event, one that is taken seriously by the thoughtful and welcoming staff. To find out more, visit the website: The Hilton Liverpool
Hillbark Hotel – Royden Park, Wirral
If you have ever wanted to step into another world, one of grandeur, refinement, elegance, and class then the Hillbark Hotel is where your search will ultimately end. Steeped in Contessa-style class, and absolutely soaked in luxury and elegance, the Hillbark Hotel’s boundless culinary expertise is reflected in the exquisite taste and presentation of its artfully prepared cuisine.
Afternoon tea is offered up at the hands of the award-winning chef, conjuring up delightful pastries and delicate cakes, along with a choice of beautiful fruit scones and clotted cream with jam or lemon curd. Visit the website here: Hillbark Hotel
Wedding Venues in Merseyside
Merseyside is a wonderful choice for wedding venues with a large selection of unusual and historic venues on offer.
St Georges Hall – Liverpool
A neo-classical celebration of pattern and architecture, St George’s Hall is a wonderful wedding venue, with its breathtaking grand hall boasting a Minton tile display that is beyond measure and wonderful views of the city proper.
They offer a broad range of wedding packages to suit almost any budget, will rewrite entire menus to cater for any taste or preference and have a lovely staff on hand to help with any aspect of the entire event. Find out more here: St Georges Hall
Alicia Hotel – Liverpool
This former cotton trader’s house has been lovingly restored and rebuilt into an absolutely breathtaking hotel. With gorgeously appointed gardens and lawns, en-suite bedrooms, and exquisite dining, the Alicia is a very popular choice of venue.
The Alicia has a wonderful restaurant that overlooks the park and the city and as the park itself is quite large, the noise of the city is faint, creating the impression of both intimacy and peace while being only a short distance from the city center. View more information here: Alicia Hotel
Campsites / Caravans:
There are many good campsites and caravan sites in Merseyside, many of which complement nearby attractions.
Caravan Club Sites
• Southport Caravan Club, The Esplanade, Southport
• Wirral Country Park, Station Rd, Thurstaston
Certificated Sites
• Grange Farm, Little Storeton Lane, Bebington
• Church Farm, Church Lane, Thurston
Other Sites
• Lyons Farm, Prescott Road, Maghull, Liverpool
• Park Lane Holiday Club, Park Lane Meols
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