Your Ultimate Guide to Christmas in Liverpool 🎄 
Coronavirus
21 places to get you out walking and exploring Liverpool’s great outdoors
5 years ago
We’ve never spent so much time at home, but while we continue to follow safety measures to help us say goodbye to lockdown, there’s some fantastic places waiting to be discovered as you get some fresh air and get away from it all.
Whether you haven’t seen the city centre in weeks; fancy walking the dog somewhere off the beaten track, or maybe you’re looking for a new way to spend time with the kids, make it your mission to discover somewhere new this week…
1 – Knowsley Safari
It’s the wildest day out in the north west, when you find animal families from all over the world, waiting to meet you at Knowsley Safari.
From Antelopes to Buffalo and beautiful Big Cats, fasten your seatbelts as you set off on Knowsley Safari’s 5-mile Safari Drive. Meanwhile, the cheeky monkeys have been missing you over at Baboon Jungle, or get adventurous on The Foot Safari, with all sorts of species waiting to be discovered, and socially distanced picnic tables for hungry explorers.
Enjoy 20% off all tickets! To visit, book online and choose an allocated time slot.
2 – Wirral Way
Find a new walking or cycling adventure along the Wirral Way in West Kirkby. This beautiful 13-mile route offers spectacular views reaching out across the Dee Estuary to Wales.
This scenic setting follows the beautiful Wirral coastline, passing though the villages of Heswall and Thurstaston, and finally leading to Hooton, along the old railway route.
3 – Ainsdale & Birkdale Sandhills Nature Reserve
You’ll find one of Britain’s largest areas of wild dunes at this local Nature Reserve, which is home to spectacular sand dunes, pine woods and coastline, managed for conservation.
Explore diverse wildlife, as you make your way along approximately 8-miles of footpaths marked with colour-topped posts, and leading to Ainsdale Hills and Birkdale Beach.
4 – Childwall Woods
Pic. Childwall Woods Facebook page
This 39-acre woodland is a designated Local Nature Reserve in the south east suburbs of Liverpool.
You’ll find wonderful views overlooking the Lancashire and Cheshire plain, along with incredible scenery set among English bluebells, buttercups and guest appearances from grey squirrels.
5 – Allerton Towers
Despite becoming a park back in 1927, this stunning 35-acre estate seems to be a bit of a secret.
Take a visit and you’ll find the spectacular footprint of Allerton Manor still remaining along with walled gardens, the orangery, old lodge, micro-mazes and stables. We think it’s time you shared in Allerton Towers secluded South Liverpool splendour!
6 – Royal Albert Dock
We’ve learned appreciate our city like never before, and this stunning location is one we’ve all missed.
Take a walk, run or jog, while enjoying the unmistakable atmosphere and spectacular views, and this month, as Royal Albert Dock has seen more incredible stores and eateries reopening, so it’s well worth treating yourself to a tasty takeout.
7 – Greenbank Park
Located near Penny Lane and Sefton Park, in the suburb of Mossley Hill, Greenbank Park has been welcoming visitors since 1897.
Today, this relaxing expanse offers a tree-lined, tranquil and inviting walk, with a central lake featuring nesting waterfowl and herons.
8 – Otterspool Promenade
Opened in 1950, Otterspool Prom is a serene, riverside walk which runs along the bank of the River Mersey.
The promenade makes a great change of scenery for walking your dog or cycling, with wide, traffic-free space, and wonderful views over to Wirral, ending with the Royal Albert Dock.
9 – Birkenhead Park
The first publicly funded park in Britain, Birkenhead Park opened in 1847 as an architectural landscape of cultivated woodland, meadows, and lakes.
Birkenhead Park has a wonderful family tree in the shape of New York’s Central Park, which was greatly influenced by this inspirational setting, and as you take a stroll and encounter listed buildings, lodges, the Swiss Bridge, and a Pavilion, called the Roman Boathouse, which stands by the lake, you’ll discover why.
10 – Sefton Park
Home to the beautiful, recently reopened Sefton Palm House, South Liverpool’s Grade I listed Sefton Park, built in 1872, has 235-acres of luscious landscape for you to explore.
And there’s so much on offer! Enjoy the cascading waterfalls of Fairy Glen, find caves and gardens, discover the Victorian bandstand and take a look at the boating lake, now with newly installed floating gardens to promote even more wonderful wildlife.
11 – Lunt Meadows Nature Reserve
Nestling alongside the River Alt, Lunt Village is home to this peaceful haven of wildlife and tranquility.
You’ll find an assortment of inhabitants at this bird-watching site; from water birds to barn owls, geese and kestrels, as you make your way around signposted paths at this wonderful wetland nature reserve.
12 – Chester Zoo
We’re going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo! You know the words, so head over to Chester Zoo, where you can catch up with over 35,000 fascinating animals who call Chester their home.
From Aardvarks and chimps, to Giraffes and Jaguars, make memories as you say hello to some friendly, furry and fiesty species, found across 128-acres of stunning zoological gardens.
Pre-book your tickets online with full-day or afternoon places. Book your place
13 – Pier Head
If you need any reminder that we all live in the best city in the world, make a date to admire our world-famous waterfront, with a visit to Liverpool’s UNESCO World Heritage Status site.
Talk a walk alongside awesome architecture, crowned by the Three Graces, while you enjoy a fresh breeze from the River Mersey, and bump into The Beatles while you’re taking a stroll.
14 – Croxteth Country Park
You’ll find the beautiful pastures of Croxteth Country Park offer an inviting expanse of relaxing scenery, at the rural heart of West Derby.
Explore 500-acres of opulent woodland, sprawling wildlife, ponds and streams along verdant paths and trails. During your visit, you can pop into the Victorian working-farm to meet a host of this year’s newborns, grab snacks and drinks from the takeaway café, and buy boxes of fresh, local produce and beautiful flowers.
15 – Southport Promenade
The superb setting of Southport Promenade is well worth a visit, offering magnificent views out across to North Wales.
While you’re taking in the scenery, set your sights on a leisurely stroll along Grade II listed Southport Pier; the second longest, and oldest, pier in the country, opened in 1860 and taking you out over Southport Beach.
16 – Calderstones Park
Historic Calderstones Park is set in 126-acres of lush woodland, offering the perfect expanse of green and leafy goodness, including the 1000 year-old, Allerton Oak tree.
Enjoy exploring the beautiful Japanese and Old English botanical gardens, and while you’re visiting, you can grab a coffee, snacks and ice cream from recently re-opened Reader Café between 12pm-5pm.
17 – Woolton Woods & Camphill
Pic. Independent Liverpool
Set within a natural conservation area, discover the 74-acre Camphill and Woolton Woods, providing an ideal setting to relax and unwind on your walk.
Along the woodland pathways of this historic park, you’ll find a walled garden and magnificent views from Camp Hill, which was formerly home to a Bronze Age encampment.
18 – Stanley Park
Surrounding the Grade II listed Isla Gladstone Conservatory, Stanley Park is a 110-acre expanse of picturesque green space, which was opened in 1870.
The park contains a number of listed structures and buildings, including sandstone pavilions, a beautiful bandstand, bridges crossing the lake, and a top terrace walkway offering sprawling views.
19 – Crosby Beach
If you’re wondering how the Iron Men have been doing, you’re always welcome to pay them a visit!
Take a walk along Crosby Coastal Park to explore the stunning scenery of Sefton’s Natural Coast, before wandering down onto the beach to enjoy Antony Gormley’s other-worldly installation, amid a spectacular skyline of dockland views.
20 – Festival Gardens
Once a 1080’s family destination, Festival Gardens offer beautiful, tranquil space, perfect for a bike ride or relaxing stroll through the woodland trails.
Explore the scenery and get yourself some fresh air with pagodas, a moon wall, lakes, waterways and waterfalls, along the way, with a pedestrianised link to the promenade.
21 – Speke Garston Coastal Reserve
Pic. Speke Coastal Reserve Facebook
Take a head-clearing walk along the footpaths of this South Liverpool park, which was developed on part of the former Liverpool Speke Airport.
On your travels, you can cast your eye over wonderful wildflower meadows, and take some time out with stunning views over to Wirral and the Welsh hills.
Where have you been out and about? We’d love to hear about the walks, views, and hidden gems you’ve discovered on your travels.
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