10 amazing Merseyside days out you can get to this half-term with Merseyrail

School’s out!  It’s the half term break and, as life starts to get back on track, there’s loads of things you can do to keep the kids busy – and happy – throughout the holidays.

With so many family-friendly destinations just steps away from a Merseyrail station too, you can leave the car at home and relax as you enjoy much-needed quality time together.

And, with Covid-19 safety-measures in place you can get out and about without a worry, just look at these amazing places you can visit:

Bubbles World of Play

It’s got the largest play frame in the UK and it’s aimed at tiny kids to the up-to-11s. Children can explore more than 30 different countries and zones, and its New York-themed baby & toddler area’s got challenges and sensory objects.

* Nearest station: New Brighton 

* Walking distance: 6 minutes

Junkyard Golf

Pitch your golfing skills against the rest of the family with three fun courses of crazy golf, from the tropical madness of Pablo’s to Gary’s scrapyard site.

* Nearest station: Liverpool James Street/Liverpool Central   

* Walking distance: 6 minutes

Chester Zoo

Guaranteeing a great day out, as well as its animals, fabulous gardens and green spaces (there are 35,000 animals in 128 acres of gardens), there are loads of fun attractions like its play area and Lazy River Boat Trip.

* Nearest station: Chester and then a connecting bus that will take you to Chester Zoo. (The X1 bus service leaves from stop S5 outside of Chester train station and takes you to Chester Zoo main entrance in approximately 15 minutes).

Southport Pleasureland

With all the usual thrills and spills of the family-friendly amusement park, you can channel your inner racer on the dodgems, scare yourself silly on the Ghost Train or make a splash on the Log Flume, and more.

* Nearest station: Southport

* Walking distance: 17 minutes

Awesome Walls

When climbing walls is fun! You can challenge yourself to conquer the heights with a host of walls to choose from, as well as boulder areas to cover.

* Nearest station: Sandhills

* Walking distance: 11 minutes

World Museum / Museum of Liverpool

With lots of hand-on activities and exhibits, there’s plenty to see and do at either museum from uncovering the mysteries of the ancient Egyptian World to learning about Liverpool lives in the Blitz.

* Nearest station: Liverpool Lime Street / James Street

* Walking distance: a few minutes’ walk

West Kirby Marine Lake and beach 

The lake is a great place to practice tons of water sports or simply head to the beach for a paddle, build a sandcastle or enjoy a game of rounders (and maybe a picnic?).

* Nearest station: West Kirby

* Walking distance: 5 minutes

Formby Pinewoods (red squirrel walk)

The National Trust treasure of Formby has a glorious beach with dramatic sanddunes and is surrounded by sweeping coastal pinewoods with its very important inhabitants, the famous red squirrels, along with loads of lovely walking trails.

* Nearest station: Freshfields

* Walking distance: 16 minutes

Traditional cinema – Crosby Plaza

Oh how we’ve missed watching a film on the big screen – get the popcorn ready, sit back and enjoy. What do you fancy, a bit of Peter Rabbit?

* Nearest station: Waterloo

* Walking distance: 6 minutes

Mersey Ferries – Pier Head, Liverpool and Woodside, Birkenhead

The river cruises are back so you can set sail to learn more about the River Mersey and see incredible views of the UNESCO World Heritage Waterfront from the deck of the famous Mersey Ferry.

* Nearest station: James Street for Liverpool and Hamilton Square for Woodside

* Walking distance: a few minutes’ walk

A Merseyrail Family Ticket gives a family of up to five unlimited off-peak travel* so a family can get to Liverpool or New Brighton from Southport or Chester and back, and anywhere in between for just £13.

It covers one or two adults travelling with children aged 5-15, and you can be on your way to a great time before anyone’s managed to utter the dreaded words ‘I’m bored’.

Or, you could get a Day Saver and make as many journeys as you like throughout the day for just £5.50 for adults or £2.75 for a young person (5-18 years old). Day Savers are valid for unlimited travel on the Merseyrail network, again only excluding peak hours – other than that you can hop on and off the train as much as you want! Don’t forget it’s free parking at Merseyrail train stations too, perfect for you and the family!

Face coverings are still a legal requirement when travelling on the Merseyrail network unless exempt and you can find out more here.

Plan your journey and find out more, including the latest Covid-19 travel advice, by visiting the Merseyrail website and…Happy Holidays!

* Anytime except between 06.31-09.29 Monday to Friday, rules excludes weekend and bank holidays.

Buy your Day Saver here.