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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Visiting Liverpool with small kids

27 replies

VladimirVsVolodymyr · 30/04/2024 13:01

Thinking of bringing the kids to Liverpool for the June bank holiday weekend (sun-weds).
Any ideas where I can take them? They like football but are United supporters but I'm sure they'll love to visit either Goodison Park or Anfield. Any pointers will be appreciated, we'll be staying for 3 nights.

OP posts:
VladimirVsVolodymyr · 30/04/2024 13:02

Kids are ages 11, 8 and 3(toddler could be left behind)!

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Snuzzle · 30/04/2024 14:24

Anfield is amazing(though we are Liverpool supporters so maybe biased lol).
Liverpool one has a fantastic arcade with game machines, bowling and mini golf called gravity max
Both the world museum and Liverpool museum are fab and the maritime museum has a really good titanic exhibition if they're interested in that

Forgottenmyphone · 30/04/2024 14:39

The Beatles Story has enough interactive exhibits to keep the dc happy and there’s always something to do in the Discovery Zone including free workshops.
Tate Liverpool has various trails and activity packs for kids.
Sugar and Dice board game cafe has lots of child-friendly games. They get very busy at weekends, so book if you can. There's a small cover charge of £2.50 per person, per hour. 5-7 year olds are less and under 5s are free. They have lots of child-friendly meals like soup, nachos, pasta etc…

Catsonskis · 30/04/2024 14:55

Get the ferry across the Mersey and go to Sealife or Eureka museum across the water or just a wander and an ice cream and back

walk around Albert dock, there’s a boat tour around the docks which is every 15 mins or half an hour, think the duck tours have stopped. Slavery and maritime museums are excellent, there’s the dock masters house too which is good, again all on the dock. Smugglers cove restaurant is a really well done themed pirate restaurant. The big wheel is also on the docks.

walk around the Liverpool one shops/restaurants. Bold street etc for more excellent restaurants and shops.

bombed out church at the top of bold street is cool too.

keep walking up the hill to either of the cathedrals, each very different. You can go in the catacombs of the catholic one or climb to the top of the Anglican and see for miles.

world museum and St George’s hall are great too. There’s a museum under St George’s if it’s still open from when it was a courthouse, that’s different.

open top bus tours.

ghetto golf down by cairns brewery etc.

food wise I’d recommend Duke Street Market or Baltic Market for different amazing concessions in one place, most places on bold street too.

3 year old would like Imagine That if you need to divide and conquer - it’s a cross between small world role play (with tv studio, shops, theatre, construction etc), an art studio (paint on a real car and other crafts), science experiments, and slime factory. You go through the 4 different rooms. Thats by wavertree technology park.

VladimirVsVolodymyr · 30/04/2024 20:49

Thanks so much for your suggestions. Lots of places to go to. @Snuzzle Anfield is closed to tours in June due to concerts according to the website. Looking forward to that now, kids are excited and want to go to Goodison park. I'm assuming it will be best to get accommodation in the city centre?

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Whydoikeeprejoining · 30/04/2024 20:55

Forgottenmyphone · 30/04/2024 14:39

The Beatles Story has enough interactive exhibits to keep the dc happy and there’s always something to do in the Discovery Zone including free workshops.
Tate Liverpool has various trails and activity packs for kids.
Sugar and Dice board game cafe has lots of child-friendly games. They get very busy at weekends, so book if you can. There's a small cover charge of £2.50 per person, per hour. 5-7 year olds are less and under 5s are free. They have lots of child-friendly meals like soup, nachos, pasta etc…

I second Tate. I took mine there and they enjoyed it. It was probably thanks to the kids zones they have, so we could look at the art, talk about it and then go back to the children's area. They liked the little gift shop at the end the best 🙄

CCLCECSC · 30/04/2024 21:00

Have a look at the Quirky Quarter.

Speke Hall near the Airport is a good National Trust property to visit depending on where you're arriving from.

Digestive28 · 30/04/2024 21:04

Check the museums - we were about to go recently but there museums were largely closed due to strikes. When open they are excellent and worth a visit

Funf · 01/05/2024 10:26

Many of the things have already been mentioned, the Watersports place does some good activities but the speed boat trip is fantastic.
https://www.donthibernate.co.uk/liverpool/

Williamson tunnels are good
https://williamsontunnels.com/

Knowsley Safari Park and Chester zoo are both not too far.
https://www.knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk/

If the weather is good New Brighton beach isn't too far and I fee can be a good family day out, you can fish for Crabs in the marina
http://www.visitnewbrighton.com/

Good beach at Formby, Ainsdale Southport is nice but the beach is just a massive open space the sea is a long long way away.
https://www.donthibernate.co.uk/day-or-evening-trip-to-southport/

Liverpool - donthibernate.co.uk

Where do I begin? There is so much to see and do in Liverpool. Have a look at our page …

https://www.donthibernate.co.uk/liverpool/

VladimirVsVolodymyr · 01/05/2024 15:44

Thanks for your help suggestions. We're flying in to John Lennon Airport.

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TiredandKnackeredand · 01/05/2024 16:09

Loads of good suggestions above

The beach at Formby is v nice – gorgeous golden sand and huge dunes – and there is also a forest reserve with red squirrels. So, an option if the weather’s nice and you fancy it one of the days!

The Shiverpool ghost walks are cool, v theatrical! There are a few different ones covering different areas and bits of history

Definitely second the ferry – you can either do a round journey of 50 mins or stop off on the other side to explore. There’s a voiceover tour guide pointing out notable sights and bits of history.

Once you’re over the water (about 25 mins), as well as Eureka, there’s an abbey about 15 mins walk from the ferry, and you can also walk along the river to New Brighton, which is a nice walk. There is a pub that does food about 20 minutes along with great views, if you fancied a pitstop.

Funf · 01/05/2024 18:42

The Taxi's are very expensive from the airport as they are charged a fee to collect you by the airport. There is a bus in to the city. Where are you staying?
If you stay in the city centre many things are walkable or a short train ride. Safari park and Zoo would be difficult with public transport.
As already mentioned Bold Street is great for eating.
Plenty of history in the city too.
https://stanleydock.com/news/2016/9/28/the-largest-brick-buildings-in-the-world

I believe this is excellent
https://liverpoolwarmuseum.co.uk/

If you tell the kids about the Beatles before you go
https://www.donthibernate.co.uk/liverpool-the-beatles/

If you fancy stepping back in time in a good way when you go to New Brighton try the Sea Side Cafe, it still serves Egg and chips
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g528777-d3690629-Reviews-The_Seaside_Cafe-New_Brighton_Wirral_Merseyside_England.html

Top 10 Largest Brick Buildings In The World — Stanley Dock - Luxury Waterfront Apartments in Liverpool's Historic Stanley Dock

Completed in 1901 using more than 27 million bricks, the Tobacco Warehouse at Stanley Dock remains the largest brick warehouse in the world. However, there are some even larger brick buildings around the world - click on this infographic to see where t...

https://stanleydock.com/news/2016/9/28/the-largest-brick-buildings-in-the-world

VladimirVsVolodymyr · 02/05/2024 00:24

Thank you so much all ye Liverpudlians 👏 we're all looking forward to this trip. @Funf I'm hoping we can get somewhere around the city centre so we will be able to walk to most places.
I was telling the kids about the Beatles and my 11 year old knows about John Lennon and no one else! This was booked on a whim to break up their week long June bank holiday. Hopefully the weather will be good🤞

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OldTinHat · 02/05/2024 02:13

I got some fantastic suggestions on here last year for visiting Liverpool. So fantastic that we didn't get to see even half of the suggestions, so friend and I are heading back in three weeks to pick up where we left off!

The hop on/off tour bus was excellent and good value. The downside is that they stop running about 4pm, 5pm ish.

Albert Docks. SO much to do there! But not the Tate. We gave it a go (I'm 50s, friend 70s) and we giggled all the way around because it was so ridiculously pretentious! Sorry!

This time, we want to do Bold Street, we have a tour booked for the Williamson Tunnels (thank you, Susan Calman, and your episode on Liverpool), the big museum that's on the bus tour and I forget what it's called, back to Albert Docks for more amazing tapas and I want to go on the big wheel. We didn't do the Cavern Club last time, so we'll have a try there. Also, have a nose at the cathedrals. Oh and do the ferry across the river.

We stay at the Adelphi (we were terrified last year because of the reviews but it's actually brilliant!) and there are some excellent Irish bars nearby (probably not on your child friendly list of things to do!). Also a shopping centre under the tower thing - we're going there again because we found a shop with lovely clothes that were very cheap and perfect for music festivals.

I would be very happy to live in Liverpool. But, for now, I'll keep visiting! My DS regularly travels up for work and he's very enamoured too! (We're about as south as you can get!)

Have a brilliant time!!

coxesorangepippin · 02/05/2024 02:33

Sefton park
Anglican cathedral

TiredandKnackeredand · 02/05/2024 07:52

More ideas – you can also go to the top of radio city tower where you can see as far as Wales and out to the Irish Sea (as well as all of Liverpool). Bit less nerve-wracking than the walk up to the top of the Anglican!

There are also great views from the top of the hill in Everton.

June 9th is the National Open Gardens Scheme, with loads of spaces open to view

There is also the Palm House in Sefton Park, which has a botanical garden. 5 mins away is the Sefton Park lake (can buy food to feed the ducks and swans) and you’re also next to Lark Lane where there are loads of nice places to eat, both cafes and restaurants (Sefton Park is about 10 mins in a taxi from city centre).

OmniPresents · 02/05/2024 08:07

Mine love the maritime museum at the docks and the cat cafe on bold street!

VladimirVsVolodymyr · 02/05/2024 08:59

Thank you so much, really appreciate this 🙏

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Funf · 02/05/2024 11:45

We took a load of Spanish students to the Cavern all around 14-15 years old I asked and they let them in for a look around and were very helpful.
Its a fantastic city I am sure you will enjoy it.

VladimirVsVolodymyr · 01/06/2024 21:55

Thanks so much for the replies. One final question. Our flight is due to land around midnight, what's the best options transport wise as public transport will not be operating at that time? We're going from the airport into town (Seel street). Thanks again

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KrazyboutKillian · 01/06/2024 22:00

You probably need to get a taxi tbh
and with a late flight and 3 children you will be glad of the simplicity of it

KrazyboutKillian · 01/06/2024 22:05

Also the queen ann ship has its naming ceremony in Liverpool on mon

events run all day but the eve will be good for the fireworks

from the website


8.30pm
From around 8.30pm, as evening celebrations begin, we’ll be treated to a further performance from Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, before legendary Liverpudlian TV personality and DJ, Craig Charles, joins them on stage for a unique collaboration. Craig will keep the party going until the grand finale, when Queen Anne sails away to a backdrop of dazzling fireworks as light falls. It’s sure to be a sailaway party that’ll live long in the memory, both along the waterfront and on board Queen Anne..’

if ur in seel street then it’s a shortish walk down to the river

VladimirVsVolodymyr · 01/06/2024 22:35

Thanks, I was thinking of getting an uber. I looked up airport taxis and they're around £70.

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TiredandKnackeredand · 02/06/2024 09:05

VladimirVsVolodymyr · 01/06/2024 22:35

Thanks, I was thinking of getting an uber. I looked up airport taxis and they're around £70.

No way, it’s never cost me that much! It’s normally more like £25 to get to the edge of town. Even if it’s gone up in the last couple of years, I’d be surprised at £70.

We got one last year. I’ll check with my partner how much it was.

You could try calling alpha and see how much it costs to pre-book it?

TiredandKnackeredand · 02/06/2024 09:07

KrazyboutKillian · 01/06/2024 22:05

Also the queen ann ship has its naming ceremony in Liverpool on mon

events run all day but the eve will be good for the fireworks

from the website


8.30pm
From around 8.30pm, as evening celebrations begin, we’ll be treated to a further performance from Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, before legendary Liverpudlian TV personality and DJ, Craig Charles, joins them on stage for a unique collaboration. Craig will keep the party going until the grand finale, when Queen Anne sails away to a backdrop of dazzling fireworks as light falls. It’s sure to be a sailaway party that’ll live long in the memory, both along the waterfront and on board Queen Anne..’

if ur in seel street then it’s a shortish walk down to the river

Oh this sounds great!