Calling all Liverpudlians....

[theheadgirl]

... every now and then, my girls and I book a hotel for a couple of nights to have an adventure and explore a different part of the country. This half-term we decend upon Liverpool (be afraid) and I'd like to pick the brains of you locals as to fun things to do, and good places to eat.
There'll be me, DD1 (12 going on 19), DD2(age 10) and DD3 (age 7, but has SN, so developmentally like a 2yo). DD3 will be in a big pushchair
So far my thoughts are a ferry trip on the mersey, the Tate, and possibly the Beatles museum. Any comments and other suggestions gratefully received!

bump - any evening MNers from Liverpool?

Ok last chance, then I'm giving up in a sulk !!!

The world museum Liverpool is worth a visit too and is free here

x posts.

Well I used to work there so I trump yu. >

Ooh ta, that world Museum looks just the thing. Staying at a hotel near the airport, but will drive into city to do stuff each day. Any child friendy restaurants, or best to stick to usual chains?

And don't argue ladies. First no replies, then a bit of a riot!

I'd recommend a trip to Formby Nature Reserve and Anthony Gormley's Another Place (at Morecambe, I think) - both just a few miles north of Liverpool. Sand dunes, great beach, good walks in the woods and so on.

Thanks, depending on weather in late oct, will put the national trust place on my list too.
I've never been to liverpool before, apart from to football matches at both grounds, so I'm looking forward to it. The idea was put into my head by Jamie Redknapp who thought it was "britains favourite view" on that TV show

Cafe Tabac is lovely but not really for kids it's always chocca as well. When I take the children to town we usually just go to Pizza hut as the staff are very child friendly.

Cafe Tabac is lovely but not really for kids it's always chocca as well. When I take the children to town we usually just go to Pizza hut as the staff are very child friendly.

Blimey

I'll get me coat

Ferry trip is good!

Tate not very child friendly. Walker Art Gallery and World Museum are far more child friendly. There will be plenty of jewellery/tat shops on the Docks to interest the teenagers

Magical Mystery Tour is good (you get on an old coach and get taken to beatles related sights), and Duck Tour is good, but a bit pricey (amphibious vehicle that does city centre tour and boat trip on the docks). Both of these might be a faff with a buggy.

Restaurants - Kimos on Mount Pleasant is nice and surprisingly cheap (mediterranean cafe/restaurant). There is a Nandos near the bus station (would have to up stairs to get to it, and there are stairs inside though). Apart from the excessively posh, I'ld say all the restaurants and quite child friendly, particularly during daytime and early evening.

Thanks everyone, lots to think about

it's not that great, the fish tanks are good kid distractors though .

If you do fancy the seaside and get nice weather, you could get the train out to West Kirby (the beach is very easily accessible from road), takes about 30 minutes. If you do use public transport, most buses from airport to city centre have buggy/wheelchair spaces, and the city centre train stations all have lifts of some description.

Older girls may like posh new shopping centre, the Met Quarter. It also has a Cafe Rouge and a Costas in it for lunch.

World Museum and Walker Art Gallery all have adequate but fairly average cafes. Tate has a very nice but quite pricey cafe. Older girls may also be interested in Conservation Museum on Whitechapel.

we went to the est est est on the Albert Dock recently and they were lovely with young kids, glam enough for the older ones too. They let the kids make their own pizza (think you have to eat before 6 for that though). would agree that Tate is not very child friendly but world museum/walker art gallery next to each other and both very good. If you go on the ferry you can get off at seacombe and go in the aquarium there, there's a space themed museum there too. there's loads of stuff going on for capital of culture already so worth checking the website for events on that weekend. Enjoy!

You have go to do ferry ride to "over the water" as we scousers say, which means to the Wirral peninsula. Usually get off at Birkenhead and then come straight back and watch one of the most lovely sea fronts in the world get closer and closer as you ride back. Its a truly magnificent view. Go also to the Cathedral Quarter on hope Street. A modern cathedral at on end and the biggest Gothic Cathedral in Europe at the other end of the street. In between there is Hope Street with its trendy cafes and Bistros and some of the best georgian housing outside of London (in fact the second largest compliment of such houses). Loads of nice food. Try Blackburne House, ex girls school and mansion of shipping mangnate, now an educational facility selling great food. ON same street the Everyman Theatre is busy friendly and cheap for food. Both Cathedrals serve great food but nothing beats the Gothic Anglican with its spectactual views over its own necropolis, in actuality, the giant hollow left by the quarry which partly built the Cathedral. Look out from their wonderful cafe onto Gambier Terrace, a wonderful victorian terrace where John Lennon once dosses.

Yes, the Liverpool Duck is also a blast. A good ride around Liverpool in an old Ambhibious bus; good history talk and brill for kids when it rolls off the side of the Albert Dock into the water. Watch the kids scream.

Also stand on the steps of St Georges Hall in the cente of Liverpool and do a 90 degree turn and look at the beautiful City Library, Old Magistrates Court and the fantastic Museum. All within two minutes walk.

The city has problems but it has tons to offer. If you want a break go to Formby Nature reserve by train from the City Centre and you will find yourself in one of the most important nature reserves in the Country. Teeming with beautiful forest areas, red squirrels and a lovely beach.

No I dont work for the Tourist Board; I just live here and know there is a lot that the city can offer. Welcome visitors. Dont miss T J Hughes Dept Store in Liverpool; beloved of scouse women for rock bottom cosmetics, perfume, clothes, shoes; its brill!!!