Are you planning a trip to Liverpool? Whether you want a crazy night out in one of the UK’s most famous party cities, or a quiet family trip to enjoy the culture and countryside, our guide will help you decide where to book your accommodation.
With a metropolitan population of less than half a million, Liverpool isn’t too huge to explore over a weekend. It is one of the most popular city break destinations in the UK and well served for a weekend trip with hundreds of bars, clubs and restaurants. It is also packed full of museums, galleries and incredible architecture – in fact, Liverpool has the most grade 2 listed buildings of any English city outside of London.
Liverpool’s Albert Dock. Photo by Beverley Goodwin (FlickrCC)
Stay In The Middle Of Things
Whether you want to immerse yourself in Liverpool’s cultural offerings or just don’t want too far to stumble after a night out, then the city center is the best place to book an apartment. The areas around the Albert Docks, and the neighboring “Baltic Triangle” are very up and coming, and will put you in the heart of Liverpool within a short walk of some of the main tourist attractions, such as the Tate Liverpool and the Maritime Museum.
A Little Further Out
The Sefton Park area is a great area to choose as a base, with a good selection of bars and eateries. The park itself is a wonderful open space with a boating lake, bandstand and plenty of other amenities to wile away a sunny afternoon. The bohemian enclave of Lark Lane, leading from the park itself, is one of Liverpool’s most popular areas for a night out, with a wide array of restaurants, bars and independent shops, and a very laid back atmosphere. Transport links into the center are excellent, as well.
Enjoy the tranquility of Sefton Park. Photo by Radarsmum67 (FlickrCC)
The riverside suburbs of Allerton, Mossley Hill and Aigburth are also good places to stay, with local bars and restaurants and easy access to the city center, but quieter and perfect for families.
Relax Outside The City
To the north of Liverpool lie the pleasant seaside towns of Crosby and Formby – both great places to stay if you want to be a little outside the city, and perfect for a family break.
Crosby
Just 20 minutes from Liverpool by train (by MerseyRail who are one of the cheapest rail providers in the UK), Crosby is a pretty little coastal town perfect for accessing Liverpool without staying in the city itself. It has some pretty Georgian and Victorian architecture – and the captain of the Titanic lived on Marine Crescent.
Enjoy Antony Gormley’s sculptures on Crosby Beach. Photo by Beverley Goodwin (FlickrCC)
Formby
30 minutes away by train and just up the coast from Crosby sits Formby, a quiet village that is nevertheless a perfect base for exploring the area. It has a lovely beach with sandy dunes. Kids will love the National Trust Red Squirrel Walk through woodlands – it is one of the few places in mainland Britain where grey squirrels haven’t displaced their (arguably cuter) red cousins.
Enjoy The Seaside At The Wirral Peninsula
Over the Mersey from Liverpool lies the Wirral Peninsula, which overlooks the Liverpool skyline in one direction and the beautiful hills of north Wales in the other. It is scattered with towns and villages and has some lovely beaches and countryside, all within an easy journey into Liverpool itself. Head to West Kirby or Parkgate for all the fun of a traditional seaside resort.
Enjoy the sunset over the Wirral. Photo by Alexandra (FlickrCC)
Once you have decided where to stay, check out our guide to what to do in Liverpool.
Header image of Liverpool by Radarsmum67 (FlickrCC)
