The Merseyside Travel Guide assesses the attractions of Merseyside, located in the Northwest of England. Whilst Merseyside is synonymous with Liverpool is main centre, the Beatles and football among other things, there are also other attractions for visitors to consider. Perhaps less well known and published is the fine elegant architecture, a vibrant nightlife, would-renowned cathedrals, innovative museums and a long maritime history that makes the area very interesting for visitors.

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Merseyside Guide

Overview and Attractions
Merseyside Hotels
Merseyside Map
Merseyside Weather
Low Fare Flights

Overview and Attractions

There is an essentially flat coastline and there are great seaside resorts such as Southport for those that like the beach, add the gardens and historical attractions and you have a place that is well worth exploring further.

The Wirral is a peninsula that points out into the Irish Sea, with the Dee estuary to the south and the Mersey River to the north. The Wirral Way, is a path on the track of an old railway, and goes from West Kirby to Hooton. It contains woodland that offers numerous breeding passerines, Yellowhammers and Linnets. In the winter many waders, feed in the fields on the path. West Kirby and Hoylake are located towards the end of the Wirral peninsula and include miles of award winning sandy beaches and some stunning views of North Wales across the border. Visitors can walk from West Kirby to the Hibre Islands, which are only islands for a few hours each day. At the islands you can see seals and migratory birds. Wirral Country Park is worth a visit, it is packed full of great wildlife in the woodland areas and offers come great views of the Clwydian Mountains. For more information please see:

Wirral Country Park

New Brighton in the Wirral is a popular seaside town. This traditional resort is one of Merseyside’s main pleasure grounds, it hosts the Wirral Fair, an annual event that boasts one of the largest outdoor funfairs in the UK. There are aircraft displays, stunts and special amusements for children, arts and crafts and plenty to see and enjoy for the whole family, with a full programme of events, attractions and shows. It is a great event to attend if you are visiting the area. For more information please see:

Wirral Show

The suburb of Birkenhead used to consist mostly of farms, and then turned in to a ship building powerhouse building some of the biggest ships in the UK such as Ark Royal aircraft carrier and nuclear submarines. The town was the site of the UK’s first publicly funded park back in 1834 and was the starting place for Europe’s first horse-drawn street-tram system, which was later modernised to use electricity. Birkenhead can be reached by ferry from Liverpool and by tunnel that goes under the Mersey. The Wirral Museum is now in the former Town Hall in Birkenhead and shows the history of the area with exhibitions that include looking at the Romans and one for arts and crafts. For more information please see:

Wirral Museum

Ness Botanical Gardens are located in Neston, South Wirral and are among the finest places to visit for horticultural enthusiasts in the UK. The gardens are famous for the collections of alpine and hardy plants. There are also tropical and arid plants in over 60 acres of grounds and greenhouses. There is a commitment to maintain and develop the beauty of the Gardens, there is also great importance placed on research, conservation and education of the public. These fine gardens with the many varieties are a great place to go for a stroll, relax and learn more about horticulture at the same time. For more information please see:

Ness Botanical Gardens

These are exciting times for Liverpool, the capital of culture title bestowed upon the city has been a catalyst for much renovation and modernisation of the city. It has helped the feeling in the city that Liverpool has great times ahead as a modern, influential and vibrant city and a leader in fields such as the arts and culture. Liverpool has had a renaissance that can be traced by a number of years when regeneration first started. It had like many fellow northern cities, fallen on hard times when traditional manufacturing industries were dying out and taking with it the mainstay of the local economy and heart of the community with it. On a positive note, Liverpool has bounced back and its energy and vibrant nature is there for all to see that visit the city. For more information please see:

Visit Liverpool

Liverpool’s Albert Docks, built back in 1846, was once the most important and influential areas of the city. It fell in to decline in common with many other British ports with the decline of the traditional industries that were the lifeblood of the ports. However Albert Docks have now been renovated and the area is now thriving and one of Liverpool’s biggest tourist draws. There are some of Liverpool’s best museums in the docks and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants. The area has been transformed and has a continental style atmosphere to it. The Albert Dock offers plenty of entertainment with funky bars and restaurants, the famous Beatles Story, the Maritime Museum and HM Customs & Excise National Museum. There are some retail boutiques for those that like to shop. It is a place here you can enjoy a range of activities in stunning renovated surroundings. For further information please see:

Albert Dock

Liverpool has many attractions in its own right for visitors to explore, please see our Liverpool Travel Guide for more information at:

Liverpool Travel Guide

Southport resort was founded back in the late 18th century, it is still a popular resort today and is seen as a refined and sophisticated place. Blackpool is only a short distance up the coast but Southport offers a different experience to Blackpool. Where Blackpool is famous for its bright lights and excitement, here visitors are greeted with award winning parks and gardens, some chic shops on tree lined boulevards and a number of championship golf courses, including Royal Birkdale. Southport is grown for gardening and this is celebrated in fine style at the annual flower show held in Victoria Park. The Botanic Gardens Museum here has a good collection of Victoriana as well as information on the local history. The Atkinson Art Collection has a fine collection of 19th and 20th century paintings and sculpture. There is even a Lawn Mower Museum in Shakespeare Street, if you wish to experience something a bit different. The resort exudes a refined charm about it and is well worth a visit. For more information please see:

Visit Southport

Emma’s Coffee Shop prides itself on producing the tastiest home cooked food using fresh local ingredients, in cosy atmosphere that is warm and friendly. There are options for those with vegetarian and vegan diets and for those that suffer from allergies. There is a loyal following and the coffee shop has gained a good reputation in the local area. There are a range of dishes on offer such as spinach feta and caramelise onion filo pie and roast vegetable and basil cream cheese quiche among others. There are selections of home made delicious desserts that will tantalise the taste buds. The menu changes on a daily basis meaning there is plenty of choice here. For more information please see:

Emma’s Coffee Shop

If your interest is nightlife then Liverpool has plenty to offer. Alma De Cuba, situated in a 200 year old Polish Church is a Cuban and Miami inspired bar and restaurant. It has been called one of the most stunning venues for a bar and restaurant in Europe. You can enjoy tapas along with your drinks, there is also a restaurant you can dine in. For more information please see:

Alma De Cuba

Babycream is one of the chic night spots in Liverpool, located in Albert Dock it is a stylish establishment where you will find cutting edge music, you can enjoy a quality dining experience at the restaurant in contemporary decor. For further information please see:

Babycream

Accommodation in Merseyside is available to suit a range of budgets from inexpensive accommodation to well known luxury hotels. One thing to remember is to ensure your hotel is not too far away from where you need to get to, the travelling time each day to and from your hotel can take up time. However for those seeking a quieter place to stay away from the city centres and main tourist areas, it is worth considering hotels a bit further out, there are also some great room rates available here. It is well worth doing your research and ensuring your hotel is actually located at a convenient location for your needs and that it offers the facilities you wish to use. There are many fine budget, mid range and exclusive hotels available in Merseyside, for further information please see:

Selection of Merseyside Hotels

For a full list of Merseyside Hotels please see:

Merseyside Hotels

There is plenty for visitors in Merseyside as we have seen with the Merseyside Travel Guide. Whilst the main hub is Liverpool, a city that is in the midst of an on going renaissance and has plenty of attractions to entice visitors, there are other areas in Merseyside that are of interest too. The Wirral with West Kirby and Hoylake and rather refined Southport are all worthy of mention and worth exploring. Outside of the industrialised areas there is some lovely countryside that has a great tranquil air to it. Merseyside has a rich history and culture and is poised to play a major role in the future. The area is well connected transport wise with an airport in Liverpool and excellent road and rail links to many areas in the UK.

Merseyside Travel Guide

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Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.