7 things you can do for free this weekend in Liverpool

If you’re anything like the rest of us, you’re trying to stretch the Christmas wage packet until the end of the month when pay-day finally comes round again.

It’s not easy making that last few quid go further, especially when we’re feeling the pinch as it is. 

But getting out and about will do us all the world of good and so, if you’re watching the pennies, here’s 7 things you can do for free this weekend:

1. Shiverpool Tour

Liverpool’s award-winning ghost and history tour specialists Shiverpool have launched two new tours for the New Year, including a free daytime one for all the family, starting tomorrow. The new tour’s created by guide, Indiana Bones – aka Will Goodwin – and it’s a 90-minute Hidden Histories trek around the city starting at 3pm (every Saturday) from the Victoria Monument outside the Crown Court.

It looks at the medieval ‘seven original streets’ of Liverpool, highlighting landmarks along the way and takes in the Town Hall, the old Bank of England, Exchange Flags and the Martin’s Bank building before finishing in the gardens of St Nicholas’ Church. The tour itself is free, there’s just a £1 booking fee when you advance-book via the Shiverpool website.

2. Pure Brilliance: The Boodles Story Exhibition at Lady Lever Art Gallery

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend – and there are plenty of the precious gemstones on display in this spectacular free exhibition at Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight. Pure Brilliance: The Boodles Story showcases the city jewellery brand’s 200-year story and shows how Liverpool has helped shape the company’s growth from a family jewellery business to sellers and creators of some of the most stunning jewels in the world.   It’s on until March 5. Info here.

3. Two cathedrals city stroll

Walking costs us zilch, but there’s loads to gain including a physical and mental health boost, and the chance – with this walk – to remind ourselves of how stunning our city is. This one, from Treasure Hunt Liverpool’s Paul Fawkesley, is only 1.5 miles, but it takes in some ‘pretty lovely buildings, statues and other interesting things’.

Start at the Bombed Out Church at the top of Bold street, then head up the hill, left onto Rodney Street then right onto Maryland Street, up to Hope street. Go left to see the Metropolitan Cathedral, passing the Everyman and, from the cathedral, turn around and head back along Hope Street.

After the London Carriage Works, go right down beautiful Hope Place then left along Pilgrim street to the Anglican Cathedral, and take a trip down the path into St James Gardens, behind the cathedral. From the cathedral, cross to Rodney street, left down Knight Street, arriving at Berry Street, then turn right to get back to the Bombed out Church.

5. Take a Tate Liverpool tour

Learn more about art and, specifically, the art in Tate Liverpool with a free guided tour. Tate Liverpool is running daily tours at 11am and 2.15pm and each tour is different, packed with fascinating insights, information and stories about artwork in Democracies, Ideas Depot and Journeys Through the Tate Collection. 

They’re led by Tate’s visitor engagement assistants and reflect each of their passions and interests.

Book here.

6. Celebrate Chinese New Year

Celebrations for Chinese New Year are huge in Liverpool with most of the action taking place around the historic archway in Chinatown. This Sunday – January 22 – the Great George Square area will be decorated with Chinese lanterns, the dragon and unicorn will parade through the streets, and there’ll be firecracker displays, tai chi demonstrations and family workshops, along with Chinese food stalls, activities and the funfair, from 11am to 5pm to mark the new Year of the Rabbit.

Bring The Fire will provide the grand finale and there’ll be a Lunar Rabbit projection show at the Bombed Out Church from 5-9pm. The Lunar Rabbit is a contemporary story about hope, developed with Pagoda Arts and the local Chinese community. The story will reflect themes in response to the Rabbit’s personality, such as vigilance, wit, quick-mindedness, and ingenuity; as well as stories and aspirations of community members.

7. Get on your bike

There are so many amazing cycle tracks and routes around the Liverpool City Region and the Sustrans site is one of the best places to go to if you’re looking for places to pedal to and around. 

But you could try these two for starters:

* Everton Park and the Mersey – This route was one of those helped by Sustrans’ National Big Lottery Funded project to extend the National Cycle Network into the heart of thousands of communities across the UK. It starts at Everton Park, winding down towards the Eldonian Village, before riding on to the canal towpath and then back towards Everton Park again and provides panoramic views of Liverpool, the Mersey and beyond.

* Curlew cycle route – As the names suggests you’ll be treated to some fab views of wildlife as well as Antony Gormley’s ‘Another Place’ statues with this cycle route, making it a fab time out as well as the chance to get some much-needed exercise in the saddle. Beginning at Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre, it takes you past the former homes of John Smith, Captain of the Titanic, and Thomas Henry Ismay, founder of the White Star Line shipping company, eventually leading onto Burbo Bank Road North.

At this point, you can either extend the ride by heading into Crosby or ride back along the prom, passing Another Place, before the Seaforth Freeport and the Seaport Nature Reserve.

8. Seek out some street art

Liverpool is stacked up with street art from murals to sculptures, big and small. So why not go on a street art safari to see how many pieces of amazing art you can find, including these:

* Paul Curtis’ Liver Bird Wings – Take your own picture in front of what’s become one of the most iconic pieces of art in the city, ‘For All the Liver Birds’.

* The Beatles – Join the Fab Four for a stroll along the Pier Head in front of the Liver Building. The bronzed sculpture was unveiled in 2015 and created by Andy Edwards. While you’re at it, why not wander onto Stanley Street and say hello to Tommy Steele’s Eleanor Rigby – or surprise, surprise Cilla – and John Lennon – in Mathew Street.

* A Case History by John King – Otherwise known as ‘The Hope Street Suitcases’, each case is labelled with the person it ‘belongs to’ with each one having a famous owner from Liverpool. There’s a sign detailing who each one belongs to but why not see if you can find any favourites?