Discover seven reasons to visit Knowsley

The recent countrywide Heritage Open Days invited us to visit tons of attractions across the Liverpool City Region – and there were more than a few fabulous highlights in Knowsley.

You can find everything in Knowsley from award-winning drama to stately homes and wild animals from around the world … there’s absolutely no shortage of amazing things to see and do here.

St Chad’s Church, Kirkby

St. Chad’s has been at the heart of the community for centuries, and for most of that time, it was a little chapel in a small agricultural community. But 150 years ago, the Earl of Sefton built the church, and Kirkby was elevated to its own parish, with a building containing the best of its Victorian era.

Find out about St Chad’s church HERE.

Prescot Museum

Now in its new home of Prescot Shopping Centre, Prescot Museum is THE place to learn about the town and its incredible history. Displays of images and artefacts tell the story of Knowsley and its people, how they lived and where they worked, focusing on industries like watchmaking, pottery manufacture, cable making and coal mining. There are around 14,000 objects to see, including tools, costumes, domestic items, coins, badges, trophies, architectural fragments, and militaria.

Find out more HERE

Shakespeare North Playhouse

Shakespeare North Playhouse is the new £38m venue in Prescot, home to the only 17th-century style, timber-built ‘cockpit’ theatre outside London. It has a full programme of performances, workshops, events and activities that spill out into the exhibition gallery, studio and Sir Ken Dodd Performance Garden – it attracts more than 100,000 visitors each year – and it’s the perfect place to catch up for coffee and a bite to eat with friends in the Playhouse café.

Find out more HERE.

Pinion Bistro, Prescot

Well-known chef Gary Usher and his team bring a relaxed yet special dining experience to the Eccleston Street restaurant. The Elite Bistro Group’s fifth restaurant used crowdfunding to help bring it to life, raising a record £50,000 within 59 minutes, and when it opened in 2018 there hadn’t been a new independent restaurant in the area for 30 years. It aims and succeeds in serving uncomplicated, delicious, quality food – and its Sunday Lunch is to die for!

Find out more HERE.

Huyton Heritage Walk

Knowsley Council has developed heritage walks around six of the borough’s conservation areas in partnership with Merseyside Guides to raise awareness of its past and discover what makes Knowsley such a special place to live. They take in hidden gems like the Grade II listed railway bridge in Sandpit Lane, where probable Viking remains were found, Huyton Hey Manor (Huyton’s oldest surviving secular building), and the Tom Murphy statue of former Prime Minister Harold Wilson, among many others.

Find out more HERE.

Knowsley Hall

Home to the 19th Earl and Countess of Derby, Knowsley Hall’s been owned by the Stanley family since 1385, with today’s stunning stately home dating from around 1495. You can go on a tour of Knowsley Hall (groups only though!) and learn all about the 600-year-long history of the Stanley family and the Earls of Derby, as well as the hall, park and estate, and be guided through all the staterooms, including the entrance hall, grand staircase, the library, the walnut drawing doom, Stucco room and state dining room, all furnished and decorated with items from the Derby Collection.

Find out more HERE.

Knowsley Safari

We’ve all got tales to tell about a visit to Knowsley Safari because it’s such a great day out – and not just because of those cheeky baboons! There are 550 acres of safari attraction, and it’s home to animals from around the world in as close to natural conditions as they can achieve, with lions and rhinos, wildebeest and forest buffalo, camels, bison, and more. You can also explore loads on foot with everything from sea lion and birds of prey displays, play areas, amusements, meerkats, giraffe, and a tiger trail.

Find out more HERE.