A couple of days in Liverpool - anything nearby?

[schroedingersdodo]

I live in London, originally from overseas. My mum will be here next month and I thought of taking her to Liverpool (she's a Beatles fan). It will be me, mum, DH, my sister and DS who is 11 months old.

I was wondering if there is any interesting site, village, something like that, near Liverpool, so we could spend one night in town, then take a train to go somewhere else (maybe spending one more night) before coming back to London. Have no idea what may be good in that area.

Any tips? Suggestion of things to do in Liverpool very welcome as well.

Thanks in advance

There is loads to do in Liverpool, and to be honest the surrounding areas aren't great If your mum is a big Beatles fan there is a Magical Mystery Tour which goes round all the landmarks (John Lennon's house, etc). There is also the Beatles Museum in the Albert Dock.

I miss Liverpool (lived there for 5 years before moving to Oz), make sure you go for pizza at The Quarter on Hope Street!

Southport is a 40 min train drive away - nice for a day away - long pier with old penny slot machines and cafe www.visitsouthport.com - from southport station to the end of the pier is a long walk. Could take 30 - 45 mins each way. There are lost of restaurants close to the peir in ocean plaza. I can't think of any small villages close by that you could get to easily via train that would be of much interest.

There are two trains stations in Liverpool. I presume you are coming on the Virgin, Euston to Liverpool Lime Street rail route? The train to Southport goes from Liverpool Central.

Oops, forgot Southport! Yes, definitely go there. My DH used to run a Tearooms there - lovely!

Chester

Thank you very much for your tips, both Southport and Chester sound interesting.

Do you people think that one night in Liverpool is enough, or I should go for two? (If I go to Southport there's no need to stay there overnight, I reckon)

I would stay 2. There really is loads to do, all the beetles stuff, Livepool one, the docks, ferry to Birkenhead.

Chester is also fab, could easily spend a day/night there, although mainly shops/river/park. Oh there is Chester Zoo and knowlesly safari park too.

Hi geordieminx, thanks for that!

I'd agree, stay two in Liverpool and visit in somewhere else on second day. Chester is lovely, lots of history and thr river is such a nice place on a sunny day. Chester race course makes a brilliant day out, if there is racing on.

On twitter follow @VisitLiverpool The official tourist board for the Liverpool City Region for accommodation, updates, events and offers.

By the docks there's Tate Liverpool also on twitter @tateliverpool
and also I'd suggest you follow @Lpool_Council for some travel tips and events.

Also the Matthew Street Festival in Liverpool - is on 28th and 29th August 2011 (over bank holiday weekend) - a free love music event. Lots of Beetle tribute bands. The roads get all closed off and the public take over, very family friendly even though there is some drinking going on, everyone is well behaved. The police don't allow drinks through certain areas. Big fines for doing so. www.mathewstreetfestival.org

I'm a southern girl, by routes are south, but I love living in the North.

Livinginoz - how's Oz? Do you get homesick at all?

Wow, Wotznotnow, that's really helpful! I'll follow the links and the twitter. Thanks!

Wotznotnow, been here 9 months, not homesick yet! Love living here and don't think we'll be back!

If you do any travelling by public transport in the area, ask for a day pass (a Saveaway? I can never remember exactly what it's called, gaah), as it allows you unlimited travel by train and bus. Liverpool to Southport takes about 45 mins by train.

Chester is direct from Liverpool and takes roughly the same time, maybe a little bit longer. Good tip: there's a free shuttle bus from outside Chester station that runs to the shopping centre - or at least there was when I was last there, unless the dreaded cuts have kicked in...

PS no idea whether this is your sort of thing but there's a lovely bookshop in Southport called Broadhursts. It's in Market St., has been there forever and is a proper old-fashioned shop on several floors with new books down below and second-hand up above. Staff are v friendly and wrap purchases up in brown paper and string. In winter they always have a (real) roaring fire on the go. Part of my childhood....

Don't miss the Wayfarer Arcade either, off Lord St. A beautiful Victorian glass-roofed arcade with another bookshop, cafe, old-fashioned sweet-shop etc.

I~m loving the suggestions, Terpsichore, thanks!

They are Saveaways :) If you get an all zones one you can go on the Ferry (cross the Mersey :))

A couple more ideas occurred to me, schroedingersdodo - Port Sunlight is an amazing 'model village' built for the workers in the Sunlight Soap factory in the 19thc - lovely to wander around, and it has a wonderful art gallery. You could combine that with a trip to Chester as Port Sunlight is one of the stops on the way from Liverpool.

Antony Gormley's 'Another Place' (those figures staring out to sea) is all along the coast around Crosby beach - that's probably a fine-weather thing, though You can get to it quite easily from a few of the stations on the Southport-Liverpool route.

I'll stop now!