Liverpool is a vibrant city that is best known for its rich musical heritage and historic waterfront. However, what many don’t know is that it also has an abundance of beautiful parks too.
Whether you’re a local or it’s your first time visiting this wonderful city, exploring these parks is a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors and escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre.
So, here’s our guide to the best parks in Liverpool, that are definitely worth a visit.
1. Sefton Park
Arguably the most famous of Liverpool’s parks, Sefton Park is a magnificent 235 acre Grade I listed park. Located within a 5 minute drive from the city centre.
Due to it’s sheer size, Sefton Park has a lot to offer, especially if you enjoy long walks with the dog or bike rides with the kids. Complete with a boating lake, the iconic Palm House, a bandstand and two Cafes.
Throughout the summer Sefton Park also hosts a number of different festivals, most notably the Africa Oye festival which is a celebration of African music, usually taking place towards the end of June. So be sure to check that out if you’re in the city around that date.
For us, Sefton Park is one we keep going back to, and probably our favourite in this list. You could quite easily spend all day here and then grab a bite to eat at the one many restaurants located on Lark Lane.
2. Calderstones Park
Calderstones Park is another favourite of ours, offering lot so things to do within its 126 acres.
It features a beautiful Japanese garden, a lake, children’s play area and the historic Calder Stones, from which the park gets its name. These ancient stones are believed to be older than Stonehenge, making the park not only a place for relaxation but also of historical interest.
For any Beatles fanatics, close by you’ll also find the childhood homes of Beatles legends John Lennon and Paul McCartney, as well as Strawberry Fields, of which was inspiration for the famous Beatles song.
3. Otterspool Park
Situated along the River Mersey, Otterspool Park offers breath taking views over the river Mersey, to the neighbouring Wirral.
Due to it’s wide open space, it proves to be a popular spot for kite flying, if you pick the right day you’re likely to see dozens of kites at once.
It’s particularly beautiful during sunset, making it a perfect location for evening strolls. The park also includes a modern playground, making it an excellent option for families.
I’d recommend saving a visit to Otterspool for a clear, sunny day. As it can get quite cold being so close to the river.
4. Everton Park
Located on the fringes of the city centre, Everton Park is one of the smaller parks on our list. Without doubt Everton Park is most popular for being the best place to get a perfect view of the entire Liverpool skyline. You’ll likely find that most other visitors are there to do the same thing.
Other than the incredible view, Everton Park is a good recreational space and also provides a glimpse into Liverpool’s past through its heritage trail.
Although Everton Park wouldn’t be the first stop on our list of parks to visit. It’s definitely worth a visit to get a picture of the skyline, it’s also often relatively quiet too.
5. Festival Gardens
Originally created for the International Garden Festival, opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1984, the Festival Gardens have since been partially restored and reopened to the public.
The site includes beautifully landscaped gardens, pagodas, lakes, and a woodland walk. It’s a tranquil spot for leisurely walks. If you’re in the city centre, it’s worth definitely worth a visit due to it’s close proximity. It’s also really close to Otterspool Park, so you could quite easily visit both in the same day.
6. Speke Hall, Garden & Estate
Though primarily known for the Tudor manor house, Speke Hall is a National Trust site that boasts extensive grounds and woodland walks along the banks of the Mersey.
In the grounds, around the Tudor house, includes a maze, play areas, and well kept gardens. Speak Hall and gardens offers a mix of historical exploration and outdoor enjoyment. It’s a fantastic place for family outings, with something to interest visitors of all ages.
This is a place we used to visit a lot when it was free. However, you now have to pay just to access the grounds, which is a little disappointing, with an additional fee if you also want to get access to the Tudor house. Although, I must say that it’s definitely worth the price, if you haven’t been before.
7. Stanley Park
Sandwiched between Liverpool’s famous football stadiums, Anfield and Goodison Park, Stanley Park features a large lake, bandstand, and beautiful floral designs.
It’s not particularly a place where you’d think to spend an entire day, particularly not with children. We’ve found that Stanley Park is often most popular with dog walkers and joggers.
Also, it’s worth avoiding this area during a match day, when either Liverpool or Everton are playing. Up to an hour before kick off, the traffic is stand still and almost impossible to find a parking space.
8. Croxteth Hall and Country Park
This historic estate offers visitors the chance to explore its walled garden, Victorian greenhouses, a working farm and the vast country park.
Croxteth Hall and Country Park provides a glimpse into Liverpool’s aristocratic past, set within acres of open parkland. It’s perfect for those interested in history, nature, and wildlife.
In our opinion, Croxteth Hall and Park is a great day out, particularly for those with young children. For us, you could quite easily spend the best part of a day here, exploring the grounds and farm.
Conclusion
Liverpool’s parks are more than just green spaces; they’re often full of historical significance, from National Trusts to Tudor era mansions and estates.
From experience, our personal favourite has to be Sefton Park. This is mainly due to it’s sheer size, free easy parking and the fact that it’s in touching distance of the restaurants, bars and cafes of Lark Lane.
So, the next time you’re in Liverpool, make sure to wander through these lovely parks to experience the city’s greener side. We hope to see you there!