11 Family Days Out you can enjoy right now in and around Liverpool

Everything’s starting to open back up again after lockdown and that means families can enjoy a fab day out that extends way beyond the back garden.

Outdoor venues like zoos and theme parks have led the way because they’ve got plenty of space, but galleries, museums and other attractions have quickly followed.

Social distancing and extra hygiene measures are obviously in place and booking in advance is necessary to make sure attractions can manage visitor numbers safely.

But what’s important is that you can still have a great day out doing loads of different things….like these!

WWT Centre Martin Mere

All six English WWT wetland centres re-opened on June 10 albeit numbers are restricted numbers, and visitors need to book online before they visit.

They say: “We have a raft of hygiene and social distancing measures in place as per government guidelines.  The safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers is our priority.”

But you can still enjoy stepping into a ‘wilder world’ where wilderness and family-friendliness combine. Depending on the season you can get close to fantastic wetland wildlife from ducklings to migrating swans.

And, although some activities like pond-dipping and talks aren’t back yet, you can still get in some hides which are open, along with the play areas and paths which are now one-way to help you keep your distance from other families – and stay safe.

Visit the website to book – and have fun!

www.wwt.org.uk

Speke Hall, Garden and Estate

It’s hard to believe this National Trust treasure is just on the edge of the city, but it puts it in the perfect place to make it easily accessibly and promises a great day out.

Speke Hall is a rare Tudor timber-framed manor house in an unusual setting on the banks of the River Mersey. 

Restored in the 19th century, it is a unique mixture of Tudor simplicity and a Victorian personality. The wonderful gardens and grounds at Speke Hall have re-opened – perfect for a family picnic – but you will need to book your tickets by 3pm the day before your visit. Members can book for free, while non-members will need to pay when booking.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/speke-hall-garden-and-estate 

Magical Museums

As always there’s tons going on at the city’s museums with the World Museum Liverpool and Walker Art Gallery now back open, and plans to throw wide the doors to the other great attractions soon (hopefully in August).

Yes there have been some changes and the days it’s open are restricted to allow staff to deep clean and keep you safe, but at World Museum Liverpool you can still discover treasures from around the world, explore outer space and meet live creatures!

While at The Walker Art Gallery you can view beautiful paintings, sculptures and decorative art from the 13th century to the present day.

And it’s all for free!

World Museum and Walker Art Gallery have been awarded Good To Go status – so what are you waiting for?!!

To find out all that’s going on, and how to book go to

www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/whatson

Knowsley Safari Park

Our favourite safari park is back open with 550 acres of safari attraction, home to animals from around the world. The drive is broken up into different zones where you can see animals in as close to natural conditions as they can achieve.

There’s lions, of course – the real highlight to the safari drive, but plenty of others too like rhino, wildebeest and forest buffalo … not to mention camels, nilgai and kiang and bison! And – dare we forget – the baboons!

Plus, you can explore so much on foot with everything from sea lion displays and play areas, meerkats, giraffe and now an amazing new tiger trail.

Find out more on the website – and do note that even members now need to book.

www.knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk

Treasure Hunt Liverpool

The city-based attraction is once again inviting people to solve the clues and discover hidden gems they didn’t know existed – and all of it while staying safe!

Co-founder Paul Fawkesley says: “Treasure Hunt Liverpool is an outdoor walking adventure around the city centre and it’s perfect because people can have fun while still social distancing and staying safe.

“It’s a chance to reconnect with our beautiful city – and it’s great for anyone who is fed up of being stuck indoors and who just wants to do something different.”

Follow beautiful treasure maps and solve satisfying clues sent to your phones by Captain Bess. There are two different treasure hunts for wannabe pirates depending on where you want to explore and how long you want it to last.

For more details go to treasurehuntliverpool.com

Imagine That!

You might know it better as Underwater Street on Water Street in the city centre but it moved to become bigger and better – and changed its name to Imagine That!

Now on Wavertree Technology Park the great kids’ play centre features arts and crafts, science workshops and an Imagination Village including a construction zone, lots of shops, and American diner and theatre, a pet rescue and car wash and loads more.

It is re-opening on July 22 and they say: “Due to the new government guidelines the visitor experience will be different as our guests’ safety and well-being is our top priority – however we won’t be compromising on the FUN!”

Visits will need to be booked in advance because of limited numbers and visits will be restricted to three hours. The café will be closed, but snacks and drinks will be available.

www.imaginethat.org.uk

Go Ape

The high ropes adventure course is back open at Knowsley.

You can swing through the treetops and climb the ropes and nets to test your head for heights – and check your nerve!

Says the outdoor adventure park: “We’re open and ready to welcome you back to the forest! New measures are in place to keep our customers healthy during their visit.”

And they add: “From tree-to-tree crossings, bouncy nets and all-terrain Segways we have all the adventure boxes ticked. Whether you’re a thrill seeker or after quality family fun, come and put a smile on your face, get the wind in your hair and make some memories that will last a lifetime.”

Seems like a good idea to us.

www.goape.co.uk

Liverpool Watersports Centre

Liverpool Watersports Centre has reopened for customers wanting to get out and about and active again after lockdown.

Initially sports on offer will be limited to open water swimming, stand-up paddle board, sit-on-top kayaking and rafted canoeing, but the activities will be reviewed and updated in the weeks or months to come.

A spokesman for LWS said: “Following recent Government guidance, we are delighted to say certain activities at the centre have opened.

“All bookings will be via the website, but LWC will be open for customers wishing to visit us for their daily exercise and enjoy Watersports activities.”

Certain procedures have been changed and measures put in place, they say, to ensure the safety of those taking part and members of its staff, which they say will be there for the ‘foreseeable future’.

For the new timetable go to www.liverpoolwatersports.org.uk/news/our-new-timetable

Escape Hunt Liverpool

The Escape Hunt unlocked its doors earlier this month and say: “Our teams can’t wait to host your experience in one of our intimate game room bubbles or set you off on an outdoor gaming adventure.”

You and your teammates can leap into new worlds completing ground-breaking missions; work as a team to find clues, solve puzzles and complete challenges before the time runs out.

“This isn’t something you watch, it’s something you experience – right in the heart of the action.”

Choose from The Last Vikings, Blackbeard’s Treasure, Escape the Wild West, Alice in Puzzleland and more.

escapehunt.com/uk/liverpool

Jungle Parc Liverpool

Jungle Parc opened again earlier this month promising hi-rise fun for young adventurers.

Its Adventurer Course is a really popular activity for the younger members of the family as, like the Xplorer Course, there are more than 40 different activities including monkey bridges, super-fast Zips, Rocket Launchers, Cargo Nets, Tunnel Slides and more! (Minimum height 1.05m).

Each level of the Adventurer Course gets slightly higher, so you can have a great time whatever ability or age.

And, don’t forget, it’s based in Croxteth Park so you can have a run around there afterwards and pack a picnic for everyone to enjoy.

Measures to keep you safe post-Covid include limiting group sizes, distancing and the availability of hand sanitisers.

jungleparc.co.uk/

Formby Red Squirrel Walk

Explore beautiful woodlands surrounding Formby in Merseyside, home to the rare native red squirrel, made easy by the specially laid out trail.

Distancing is requested of course for this 1.8-mile dog-friendly walk that covers easy terrain and should take about an hour.

And you’re close to the beach so you can enjoy blowing away the cobwebs in the sand dunes too or by dipping your toes in the sea!

The Red Squirrel Walk is only one of the special trails you can do to make the most of the great outdoors and enjoy getting back out there again!

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/formby/trails/formby-red-squirrel-walk

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