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Now that Liverpool Lime Street is back up and running we’ve come up with a lovely guide to the best things you can do riding Merseyrail trains this summer. Stops in both north and south Liverpool and even a few over the water have some fantastic things worth seeing.
So hop on board and get ready to roll along on a Merseyrail trains journey with us all over Merseyside.
Table of Contents
North Liverpool
From Southport to Moorfields, there’s no end of fun to be had all along the Northern Liverpool line. Let’s take a look at some of the top spots you can visit on your Liverpool break.
Southport
The stunning historic town of Southport has plenty to offer visitors from stunning Victorian parks like Hesketh and Kings Gardens, six pristine golf courses and a charming promenade and pier to stroll along.
There’s even Pleasureland theme park filled with thrilling rides, traditional amusement games, a paddle boat lake and a Go-Karting track.
Perfect for a boatload of full-on family fun at the Northernmost point on our guide to days out on Merseyrail trains.
Formby
Next, stop off at the picturesque coastal town of Formby where you will find an endless stretch of sandy beach peppered with sand dunes and filled with wildlife wonders.
A nature reserve and National Trust gem Formby even houses a protected pine forest inhabited by our furry friend the native Red Squirrel. Guided walks run regularly so the public might spot one of the little critters scurrying around in the trees.
Blundell Sands and Crosby
Some might think they’ve jumped off the train in some exotic land when arriving on Crosby Beach as the white soft sands and dreamy waterfront mirror those in more tropical climates.
Crosby Beach is three kilometres of beach day fun just waiting to be had and is also home to one of Liverpool’s most famous public works of art “Another Place” by Anthony Gormley.
Kirkdale
Football fans this is the stop for you. Both Liverpool’s great stadiums are within a hop skip and a jump from Kirkdale station the nearest being Goodison park where Everton football club and founding team of the Premier League play.
Take a short walk through the greenery of Stanley Park, past the stunning Isla Gladstone Conservatory to see Anfield Stadium, home of the reds, Liverpool football club.
Both stadiums offer behind the scenes tours of the grounds so fans can see where players prepare to play, the trophies they have won and the pitches themselves.
A day out on Merseyrail trains could make all your football fan dreams come true.
Aintree
Not only is Aintree home to the biggest horse racing event in the UK, Aintree Grand National, but there’s also another attraction that brings a slightly different crowd to jump off the train at Aintree.
Rampworx Skatepark is the UK’s largest indoor skating arena and one of the biggest in Europe, a haven for those who enjoy mastering stunts on skates, scooters and cycles. One room has no less than 22 ramps whilst others like The Bowl and The Foam pit invite the most extreme to test their skills.
From the less daring horse racing to the more intense skatepark stunts, both are worth getting off the train at Aintree for.
Moorfields
If you’ve yet to check out the business district of Liverpool city centre then alighting at Moorfield’s will get you on track for a different experience of the city.
Some of Liverpool’s oldest and most impressive architecture surrounds the station as well as some fantastic up bars and restaurants like HUS, Barley and Beans and Deli Fonseca.
Also worth a visit in the area is the Western Approaches Museum, home to a fully intact and original WWII bunker.
South Liverpool
The lower half of Liverpool boasts some of its best bits including trendy places to shop, eat and drink, the nicest public outdoor spaces and some of the city’s oldest landmark buildings.
Central
Of course, as the name suggests this is the central stop of the city, close to all the top shopping districts and most popular landmarks. Check out the nearby St Luke’s Bombed Out Church less than two minutes’ walk up Bold Street.
Other top spots include The Ropewalks for the best nightlife in Liverpool, both of the city’s impressive Cathedrals and the historic Georgian Quarter full of ancient townhouses and scenic gardens all insta-worthy relics of Liverpool’s maritime wealth.
St Michaels
The most popular out of city spot for residents and visitors to Liverpool alike is Sefton Park. Home to the ancient Palm House and host of many a Liverpool festival, Sefton Park is perfect for a casual stroll and fun family day out, away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
On your way to Sefton Park, Lark Lane is a must visit lined with an endless choice of bars, restaurants and quirky boutiques filled with Knick Knacks and antiques.
Aigburth
A whole host of breath-taking scenery and fun family attractions awaits just outside Aigburth train station. Walk, skate, jog or cycle along the Otterspool Promenade enjoying views of the River Mersey and the surrounding parkland.
Or perhaps you feel like something a bit more on the adventurous side, The Otterspool Adventure Centre can deliver. Over three acres of land house brand new eco-friendly play equipment, mini quad bikes and a magical mystical maze to solve.
All lying along the edge of the River Mersey and mostly free use too.
North and West Wirral
Merseyrail trains travel under the Mersey River to take passengers to a quiet and picturesque part of the North West and then all around it. Here are some of the best things to do near Mersyrail’s Wirral train stations.
West Kirby
One of the Wirral’s most popular places to get involved in watersports has a small beach which, at low tide, can be walked across to reach Hilbre Island Nature Reserve. Here you can expect to see families of grey sea lions and amazing views of North Wales.
Also, the West Kirby Marine Lake welcomes Wirral Sailing school students to test and acquire new skills as well as water sports enthusiasts and those looking for a scenic waterside stroll around the border of the 52-acre Marine Lake.
The usual waterside ice cream parlours and coffee shops are also well worth a visit all just a short walk from West Kirby train station.
Bidston
A village that dates back to the stone age, arriving in Bidston is like taking a train ride back in time. The well-preserved cottages, churches, gardens and even a lighthouse and windmill are all as pretty as a picture.
There’s also an opportunity to visit a 300-year-old working urban farm Tam O Shanters where you and the family can learn all about the farm animals that live there.
See what historic life was lived like on the Wirral with a visit to Bidston village.
New Brighton
Once a place where the people of Liverpool used to spend fun-filled days at the seaside taking a break away from the big city, New Brighton is ideal for a family day out on the Wirral.
On top of the lengthy beaches, there’s a newly refurbished waterfront plaza filled with restaurants and entertainment including Championship Adventure Golf and footgolf, a cinema and theatre and indoor kids playground Bubbles World of Play. Plenty to do and a stones throw from New Brighton rail staion.
Neston
One of the most scenic places Merseyrail trains can take you is Neston, then just a short walk to Parkgate.
This small village lining the water of the Dee offers sweeping views of North Wales and remarkable places to watch the sunset.
Parkgate is famous for its delicious ice cream sold from traditional style parlour, Nicholls Famous Ice-Cream or the very best fish and chips for miles sold at Parkgate Fish and Chips. Perfect views and food all in one quaint waterside village at Parkgate.
South Wirral and Cheshire
A little further out of the city the Merseyrail trains head towards another great North West city Chester and along the way are a few stops that provide excellent days out.
Port Sunlight
This is one of the most stunning places to visit in the whole of the UK never mind in Merseyside.
Port Sunlight Village was designed and built to house the workforce of Soap King William Hesketh Lever in 1888.
No two homes in Port Sunlight Village are identical and all have elaborate exterior designs and perfectly manicured gardens. There’s plenty of open green space to stroll around, a museum and art gallery both of which host educational events and activities all year round.
All of this is immediately outside Port Sunlight train station makes it an amazing place to visit on Merseyrail trains.
Eastham
A short walk from Eastham train station will take you to the quaint and charming Eastham village, home to a collection of elegant cottages, ancient churches and what was once a Victorian Zoo at the water’s edge.
Walk through the woods and visit the Bear Pits wherein great grizzly bears used to live. The woodlands also include a wonderful sculpture trail made from fallen trees by local artist Bill Welch and after exploring the woodland visitors can enjoy a drink in either the Eastham Ferry Hotel or the Tap.
Eastham Village and Eastham woods are a reminder of the old Victorian Mersey Ferry crossings that used to frequent the area in the 19th century.
Chester
End of the line again, this time the Wirral line, where Merseyrail trains cease. The city of Chester is one of the UK’s most well preserved walled city’s.
The split-level streets are lined with Tudor style buildings and the ancient landmarks include a Roman amphitheatre, the Eastgate Clock and intact city walls which visitors can walk along.
Combine all this with all the amenities of a modern city and Chester makes a fantastic place to visit onboard Merseyrail trains.
No matter which of the Merseyrail trains you happen to board during your visit to Liverpool there’s always light at the end of the tunnel and our handy Merseyrail guide will keep you and the family on the right track to having plenty fun in and around Liverpool.
