There’s plenty to do in Liverpool. But once you’ve taken in a football game, visited several museums and enjoyed some delicious meals, you might be itching to explore the city’s surroundings. There are, of course, several well-known cities less than 2 hours from Liverpool. You can check out our guides to hotspots like Manchester (35 minutes by train), Leeds (1h 30min by car) and Birmingham (2 hours by car or train). Here, we’ve focused on a range of day trips from Liverpool, from days at the beach to family fun to mysterious marshland.
The perfect day trip to the Isle of Man from Liverpool
Distance from Liverpool: 2h 45min by ferry or 40-minute flight.
What to wear: A rain jacket.
Expert Tip: Although there are a few airlines operating direct flights from Liverpool to the Isle of Man, you may only be able to fly there in the morning, then take the ferry back in the evening.
The Isle of Man’s captivating scenery draws visitors from around the world. If you take the ferry to the Isle of Man, you’ll arrive at its capital, Douglas. Here, you can take the Isle of Man Steam Railway. It’s a great way to see the island’s beautiful countryside and you can visit Port Erin Railway Museum at the end of the line. From Port Erin, you can hike up to the Meayll Hill Neolithic Stone Circle, home to 12 burial chambers dating back to 3200 BC. There are a number of excellent restaurants across the island, including Titan in Douglas and Victoria Grill in Castletown (close to the airport).
Southport Pleasureland: the perfect family day trip from Liverpool
Distance from Liverpool: 1 hour by train or 45 minutes by car.
Price: Around £27.50 for riders over 90 cm, £17.50 for riders under 90 cm. Entry is free for anyone not going on rides.
What to wear: Comfortable clothes and sun protection.
Expert Tip: Keep an eye on Pleasureland’s events page to see what temporary events and activities are on.
With rides for kids under and over 90 cm, Southport Pleasureland has fun for the whole family. The Ghost Train and the Canoes water ride can be enjoyed by younger kids, while those over 1.2 metres can try the thrilling Flying Swings and Frisbee rides. Loki’s Log Flume is perfect for hot days and the Dodgems offer a classic funfair experience. There are also several spots that can be enjoyed by free entrants, like Freya’s Viking Funhouse playground and the splash pool. Grab a bite to eat from Della’s Diner or the Waffle Shop and take a break at one of their peaceful picnic areas.
The Best Beaches Near Liverpool
If amusement parks aren’t your thing, Southport is also an excellent beach town. Between Southport and Liverpool, you can find another beautiful seaside retreat.
Formby
Distance from Liverpool: 40 minutes by train or 25 minutes by car.
What to wear or what to bring with you: Beach gear and wellies for the shipwrecks.
Expert Tip: There are several protected species at Formby so take care when exploring.
The sand dunes at this coastal town are home to rare species like the natterjack toad, the great crested newt and the famous red squirrels. You can spot them on the dunes, on the grass or in the shallow dune pools. Formby’s other stand-out feature is the shipwrecks close to the coastline. You can get in touch with the Formby tourist office to see when the next guided walks are scheduled. They’ll know when the conditions are best. Whether you’ve been exploring shipwrecks or soaking up the sun on the sands, head to The Pinewoods for a relaxed pub dinner before heading back to Liverpool.
Southport Beach
Distance from Liverpool: 1 hour by train or 35 minutes by car.
What to wear or what to bring with you: Beach gear
Expert Tip: You can often park your car directly on the sand at Southport Beach.
Southport is a lovely beach town with a gorgeous beach. You can walk along one of the longest piers in Britain or spend the day relaxing on the sand. It’s also close to the Ribble Estuary where you can see a variety of fascinating wildlife from the viewing platform.
Boost your adrenaline at Go Ape at Delamere Forest
Distance from Liverpool: 1h 30min by train or 45 minutes by car.
Price: Around £25 for the Treetop Adventure Plus course.
What to wear: Comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty.
Expert Tip: Grab dinner at The Hornsmill on your way back to Liverpool.
At Go Ape, you can explore the gorgeous Delamere Forest at top speeds. Their daring course has fast-paced zip wires and heart-stopping free falls among the treetops. They have a kids’ course as well, and the staff are encouraging and patient with nervous visitors. They also have a Segway tour on the forest floor where you can head off the beaten track. Before taking part in the courses, participants will get a safety briefing and a short training session, to ensure they’re fully prepared and confident.
The best Day Trips for nature enthusiasts from Liverpool
The UK is home to beautiful walks along coastlines and through the countryside. You’ll find plenty of beautiful scenery on many of Liverpool’s best day trips, particularly on the Isle of Man or along the coast. But this thriving marshland is in a league of its own.
Martin Mere
Distance from Liverpool: 1h 45min by train or 45 minutes by car.
Price: Around £17 for adults.
What to wear: Comfortable, waterproof walking boots.
Expert Tip: Book a Wild Wander Tour to get access to otherwise-restricted areas.
Martin Mere’s marshland, estuaries and wet woodlands are home to scenic landscapes and fascinating wildlife. Different species call the mere home throughout the year, with nesting avocets during the spring and swans wading in the water in winter. A highlight for many is the otter enclosure with three Asian short-clawed otters. An otter feeding session and talk is held at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm each day. The Mere Side Café offers one of the UK’s national dishes, a full English Breakfast, until 11 am.
Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park
Distance from Liverpool: 1 hour 30 by car
Price: Free (Parking costs vary)
What to wear: Comfortable walking shoes.
Expert Tip: Download the Parcio Eryri Parking App if you plan on driving around the park. The Pen y Pass Car Park needs to be booked in advance.
Head across the border and visit Wales’ largest national park. With nine mountain ranges and over 70 miles of coastline, you can easily spend a day exploring. You can spend your time walking through ancient forests or taking in breathtaking views from the park’s unique uplands.
Chester: one of the best day trips from Liverpool by train
Distance from Liverpool: 50 minutes by train or 40 minutes by car.
Price: around £14 for the Cathedral Tower tour.
What to wear: Comfortable walking shoes.
Expert Tip: Take a tour of Chester Cathedral Tower to get a gorgeous view over the city.
Under an hour away from Liverpool, Chester has a fascinating history and fun activities to offer. Chester Cathedral is one of the town’s main draws, constructed between 1240 and 1490. The facade alone is beautiful and inside you can see the painted ceiling of the Cathedral Choir. Spend some time strolling the streets to see the historic houses and shops along the Chester Rows, including Bridge Street and Watergate Street. On Watergate Street, you can stop for a bite to eat at Olive Tree Brasserie. Kids and animal enthusiasts will love Chester Zoo, with over 20,000 animals across 128 acres.
The best castles to visit from Liverpool
Chester and Leeds are both home to some of the best castles in the UK. There’s another castle roughly just 30 minutes east of Chester, where you get beautiful views of the Cheshire countryside.
Beeston Castle, Cheshire
Distance from Liverpool: 2h 20min by train or 50 minutes by car.
Price: Around £9.50.
Expert Tip: Looking to take a day trip with your dog? English Heritage is happy to welcome dogs on leashes to the castle.
Built in the 13th century and partially destroyed in the 17th century, the remains of Beeston Castle sit atop a rocky crag overlooking the Cheshire Plain. Explore the walls of the Bailey and look down into the castle well. It’s over 120 metres deep and, rumour has it, Richard II hid treasure here somewhere. Evidence of human activity around Beeston dates back to the Neolithic Period. You can get a glimpse of that ancient life at the Bronze Age roundhouse replica. You can also explore the beautiful woodland surrounding the castle, where you can spot rabbits, foxes and even the occasional peregrine falcon. There are picnic benches throughout the woodland park and a café selling snacks, ice creams and bacon sandwiches.
Liverpool Castle
Distance from Liverpool: 1h 50min by train or 1 hour by car
Price: Free
Expert Tip: Wear waterproof boots as it’s often wet and muddy
The original Liverpool Castle was built in Liverpool, where Derby Square and Liverpool Crown Court now sit. It was demolished in the 18th century but you can visit the replica in Lever Park, built in the early 20th century. The replica was never completed but it only adds to the sense that you are viewing the ruins of the original castle.
Bradford: the art and culture day trip from Liverpool
Distance from Liverpool: 1h 50min by train or 1h 30min by car.
Price: There’s no admission fee to Bradford’s main museums.
Expert Tip: Visit during Bradford Festival if you’d like the chance to hear live music, see innovative art installations and enjoy traditional fairground rides.
Bradford is a wonderful day trip throughout the year, with museums, art galleries and world heritage sites. Visit Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, which hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions. Head to the Bolling Hall Museum and Library, which provides a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived at this historic mansion at different points throughout history. The Bradford Industrial Museum explores the history of the town’s industry from milling to car manufacturing.
Often called the ‘Curry Capital of Britain’, you’ll have no shortage of delicious restaurants to choose from in Bradford. The Kashmir Restaurant, close to the National Science and Media Museum, has been serving tasty, traditional curries since 1958. Venture outside Bradford to the heritage-listed Saltaire, a model village built in 1851.
The most delicious Day Trips
You can find tasty meals from all around the world in Liverpool or the surrounding area . If a cosy, countryside inn sounds like a relaxing day trip , you’ll love this restaurant in Cheshire.
The Inn at Huxley
Distance from Liverpool: 50 minutes by car.
Price: Between £40-£60.
What to bring with you: An appetite.
Expert Tip: Visit on a Sunday to try their classic Sunday Roast.
With sweeping views of the countryside, The Inn at Huxley sits just 5 miles from Chester. The interior is rustic and charming, with a beautiful stone fireplace and hand-carved fittings. When you look down at your menu, you’ll find a range of hearty meals including beer-battered fish and chips and warm bacon and black pudding salad. They also offer a seasonal menu that makes use of the freshest ingredients. With friendly, helpful staff and a welcoming atmosphere, this is a wonderful spot for family lunch just outside of Liverpool. Hire a car and pair it with a day trip to Chester, or spend some time exploring the surrounding villages of Huxley, Hargrave and Tattenhall.
Leasowe Castle & Brasserie 1593
Distance from Liverpool: 40 minutes by train or 15 minutes by car.
Price: Between £20-£60.
Expert Tip: Visit on Fridays and Saturdays in the evening or on Sunday from 4 pm to 7 pm to enjoy live music at the Wreckers Bar & Lounge
Dine amidst history at the Brasserie 1593 restaurant at Leasowe Castle. You can also relax with a drink at the Wreckers Bar & Lounge or enjoy an afternoon tea in the historic Star Chamber.
The perfect day trip from Liverpool, by Katherine
■ Take a car from Liverpool at 8:30 am.
- 50-minute drive.
■ Arrive at Beeston Castle
- Explore the castle for 1 hour.
- Walk through the surrounding woods for 1 hour.
■ Enjoy a delicious lunch at The Inn at Huxley.
- Drive 25 minutes to Chester.
■ Visit the Chester Cathedral for 1 hour.
■ Wander the Chester Rows for 1 hour.
■ Have a dinner at Olive Tree Brasserie.
- Drive 35 minutes back to Liverpool.
■ Arrive at 9 pm in Liverpool.
Conclusion
With these day trips, you’ll find that Liverpool makes an excellent home base for exploring North West England. If you’re looking for more off-the-beaten-path destinations and attractions, check out our guide to the best hidden gems in the UK.
Frequent questions about Day Trips from Liverpool
All the answers to your most frequently asked questions about day trips from Liverpool.
Can you do a day trip from Liverpool to Scotland?
It isn’t easy to do a day trip from Liverpool to Scotland. It takes just over 5 hours to drive there, and train connections are similar. It would be easier to visit Scotland as part of a longer trip. It’s usually easier (and cheaper) to fly from Manchester.
What is Liverpool famous for?
Liverpool is famous for its connection to the Beatles, its football teams (and their passionate fans) and its vibrant culture. Many people come to Liverpool to visit its museums (it has the most museums in the UK outside London) and its heritage-listed buildings.
Can Liverpool be a day trip from London?
If you take the Avanti West Train from London, you can reach Liverpool in just under 2h 30min. If you plan a tight itinerary, this should give you just enough time to see Liverpool’s top attractions.
What are the best beaches near Liverpool?
Along with Formby and Southport, Liverpool is also close to Welsh beaches like Wallesey and Meols. St Anne’s Beach is another option, past Southport and around 1h 30min from Liverpool by car.
Can you do a day trip to London from Liverpool?
You could do a day trip from London to Liverpool, but it would involve almost 5 hours of travel by train. You could just squeeze in the top sights but, to really take in everything the city has to offer, a weekend trip might be better.
