Trip to Liverpool, looking for recommendations

[VictorBaucherOrSomething]

We're doing an overnight trip to Liverpool at the end of the month, planning to stay in a Premier Inn and visit Chester Zoo and Beeston Castle on one day, then head into Liverpool on the other. Can anyone recommend the best way to travel into the city? We were thinking of driving to a station with decent parking then getting the train in but don't have a clue where would be best!

Haven't booked the hotel yet but will likely base it on wherever is best situated for transport into the city and not too far from the zoo and castle also. Thanks!

Scouser here! Right off the bat I would say Chester Zoo and Beeston Castle sounds like a lot to do in one day as well as travelling by train etc and getting quality time at both. I’ve never been to Beeston Castle but Chester Zoo I clock up around 17k steps and there’s quite a bit there!

Travelling to Lime Street Train Station should be fairly straight forward. It’s right in the city centre and then you’re central for whatever you want to do if you want to be right in the heart of things. I’m not sure where you’re coming from but if you want to drive to Liverpool itself but outside of the city then train into the city centre South Parkway is a huge main station and is south Liverpool. Loads of parking around it and then you could go from there?

Wouldn’t it be a better use of time to actually stay overnight in the city - and travel to the zoo? That way it would be easier to enjoy the Liverpool nightlife, and not start the next day with a tedious journey. The Premier Inn on Albert Dock might be fun.

(My favourite area of Liverpool is the Georgian Quarter, centred on Hope Street, the cathedrals and the Everyman Theatre. Hope St Hotel is glorious, too.)

You’ll never do all that in two days. As @ScouseMouse888 says, Chester Zoo alone is a long old day. Beeston Castle is lots of walking too.

If you’re looking for somewhere in between to stay, I’d recommend the Village Hotel at Bromborough, and get the train into Liverpool from Port Sunlight (which is worth a visit too but you’ll be pushed for time). It’s only five minutes drive from the hotel, and then 17 minutes into Liverpool on the train. It’s also handy for the zoo (straight down the A41).

Thanks for your replies, we're travelling from Scotland so four hours drive then planning to go straight to the zoo once we get there. Not fussed on nightlife, we're with our 10year old DC so a drink in the hotel bar after a busy day will do fine!

Chester zoo is a full day in itself. Last time we went we were there 6 hours and didn't manage to see everything. It's a huge zoo with a lot of walking.

I’m not sure I’ve quite followed your plan but if you are planning on staying this side (I live in Chester) (and I agree the zoo is a full day and that there is no way you will do that and Beeston castle in one day, even without a four hour drive to start) then we always park at Hooton for Liverpool. Massive, cheap carpark and half an hour by train into the city

Ok think we might just give the castle a miss and do the zoo instead. Good shout on Hooton, need somewhere with parking we can drive to, to get ourselves into the city.

Will you have time to take your ten year old to Crosby Beach? The Another Place sculptures are truly unmissable. Don’t know if it would be easier to drive or take the train - do try to go!

the open top bus tour is great . We were blown away by the history of Liverpool and the incredible buildings there . No idea before how important a city it was to England . Indigo hotel is very comfortable and good central location . If time the Catholic cathedral is v impressive and different to visit.

The Tate is closed at the moment, but there are lots of child friendly art things on, scattered all over the, as part of the Biennial. If your ten year old likes Batman, they are shooting in the city centre at the moment (or they were last weekend). My 13 year old was in town for a football match, but his favourite thing besides that was the pancakes at Moose Coffee, and a Keralan restaurant called Ikkayees where you get 30% off your meal if you can manage to stop a timer on exactly 10 seconds.