Liverpool is a fantastic destination in northern England with lots to see and do from the historic Albert Docks to the Beatles museum and Anfield Football ground. The city also makes a great base for exploring nearby areas and there are lots of wonderful day trips from Liverpool to be had.
Liverpool is ideally placed to explore the nearby coastline, North Wales, and the Lake District National Park amongst other stunning destinations. I’ve been visiting Liverpool for years and always like to try and escape the city for some of the incredible nature nearby.
Below, you’ll find a selection of different day trips from Liverpool by car, bus, boat, and some excellent tours. Whether you’re looking for a day at the beach, a hike in the pristine wilderness, or a visit to nearby attractions, these Liverpool day trips offer something for everyone.
Best Day Trips from Liverpool
Here are 15 of the best day trips from Liverpool taking in some of the nearby attractions, towns, cities, and villages. With Chester and Manchester just a short train ride away, and many tours to areas of outstanding natural beauty to choose from, Liverpool makes a great base for exploring this part of northern England.
1. Visit the Nearby City of Manchester
The city of Manchester is just over 30 minutes away by train from Lime Street station making it one of the best day trips from Liverpool. Manchester has an equally impressive music scene and a history that goes back to the days of the Hacienda Club and Factory Records (Joy Division is still one of my favorite bands).
Manchester is also home to an excellent array of museums and galleries including the Manchester Art Gallery which holds one of my favorite artworks; the Funeral of a Viking by Frank Bernard Dicksee (1853 – 1928).
There’s an excellent science museum to visit, as well as shops, cafes, and restaurants that rival Liverpool’s. Hitting nearby Manchester is definitely one of the top day trips from Liverpool by train and it’s a piece of cake traveling between the two cities thanks to the multiple trains every hour.
Visit Old Trafford, take a canal and city cruise, or just explore the vibrant city center at your leisure.
Location: Manchester is just 35 miles east of Liverpool. Find it here on the map.
Getting There: Direct trains leave Liverpool Lime Street every 30 minutes. The journey time is between 34 and 52 minutes depending on the service. Tickets cost from £7.50 in advance.
Must-Do Activities: Take a city canal cruise, visit the Manchester Art Gallery, see Old Trafford football ground, and shop in the city center.
2. Visit the City of Chester
Chester is a historic city 30 miles south of Liverpool that was an important settlement in Roman Britain (much like my own hometown of Colchester). The city was founded in the first Century and is known for its impressive stretch of well-preserved Roman walls.
The city is a modern and vibrant hub with excellent shopping at the picturesque Chester Rows and dining options such as the stylish Chef’s Table which offers a fresh, seasonal, local produce menu. One of the best ways to explore the city is to take the hop-on, hop-off tourist bus, or take a cruise along the River Dee.
Location: 40 minutes south of Liverpool. Find it here on the map.
Getting There: Direct trains depart Liverpool Lime Street Station four times an hour and the journey takes just 44 minutes.
Best Tour from Liverpool: Full-day tour to Chester from Liverpool.
Must-Do Activities: Take a hop-on, hop-off city tour, explore the Roman walls, visit Chester cathedral, take a cruise on the River Dee, and shop at Chester Rows.
3. Have a Day at Crosby Beach
Crosby Beach is just 7 miles from Liverpool and makes for a beautiful day trip from the city. This stretch of coastline is home to an impressive modern art installation by renowned British artist Anthony Gormley.
Here you’ll find 100 sculptured statues along the beach that appear to shift with the tides and seasons. Crosby has a 2.5-mile stretch of golden sand perfect for sunbathing, walking, building sandcastles, and exploring the dunes.
It’s not recommended to swim here, however, as there are powerful currents on this part of the coast and even experienced swimmers can find themselves in trouble.
Location: 20 minutes north of Liverpool. Find it here on the map.
Getting There: Crosby beach is just a 20-minute drive from Liverpool. There are trains every 10 minutes from Liverpool Central to Blundellsands and Crosby station, from which it’s just a 5-minute walk to the beach and promenade.
Must-Do Activities: See Another Place by Anthony Gormley, walk along the beach, have a picnic, row on the boating lake, and eat ice cream on the promenade.
4. Visit North Wales
North Wales is a stunning part of the United Kingdom and is home to Snowdonia National Park and one of the tallest mountains in the country. I’ve visited Snowdonia many times over the years for climbing holidays as a boy scout to more recent hiking trips.
It’s possible to climb (hike) 3,560 feet (1,085 meters) Mount Snowden if you’re feeling adventurous. The round trip takes anywhere between four and seven hours depending on your level of fitness, rest stops, and the route you take. For those that don’t fancy such physical exertion, there’s also a train to the summit.
North Wales is home to some historic towns and villages that are well worth a visit. Conwy dates back to 1283 and is the home of the impressive Conwy Castle.
Location: 90 minutes southeast of Liverpool. Find it here on the map.
Getting There: North Wales is a 90-minute drive from Liverpool. The best way to experience this stunning area of outstanding natural beauty is to take a tour which includes visits to Conwy and Snowdonia.
Best Tour from Liverpool: 9-hour North Wales day trip from Liverpool.
Must-Do Activities: Climb Mount Snowden, visit Conwy Castle, and explore the North Wales coastline.
5. See the Lake District National Park
The Lake District is one of the most picturesque parts of England and is one of the best day tours from Liverpool. Explore stunning Windermere and the nearby villages, mountains, and scenery in this gorgeous part of the country.
Take a boat trip out on the lake, hike one of the many mountain trails, and stop for lunch at a rustic country pub. Explore the villages where Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth wrote their stories and poems (Potter was always a firm childhood favorite of mine).
Visit the beautiful village of Kendal with its ancient high street, boutique shops, and homely pubs.
Location: 2 hours north of Liverpool. Find it here on the map.
Getting There: The Lake District National Park is 67 miles from Liverpool and is easily reachable by car. There are direct trains from Liverpool to Oxenholme, but to get the most out of the Lake District it’s best to have your own transport or to book a tour from Liverpool.
Best Tour from Liverpool: This 10-hour tour from Liverpool is a great way to see the Lake District.
Must-Do Activities: Sail on Lake Windermere, visit the village of Hawkshead, wander around the market town of Kendal, and hike in the mountains.
6. Visit the Stunning County of Yorkshire
Ask a Yorkshireman or Yorkshirewoman what they think of their home and they’ll likely tell you that it’s God’s own country. As a southerner, I’m prone to debate, but there’s no denying that the North Yorkshire Moors and Dales are home to some of the most picturesque parts of the country.
From rolling hills and farmland to ancient brick villages, forests, lakes, and waterfalls, Yorkshire is certainly one of the best day trips from Liverpool if you’re looking to escape into nature. See the picturesque tows of Hawes and Haweth where the Bronte sisters lived, sample Wensleydale Cheese and other local specialties, and much more.
Location: 2 hours northeast of Liverpool. Find it here on the map.
Getting There: The best way to explore Yorkshire is either with your own car or by taking one of the organized day tours from Liverpool.
Best Tour from Liverpool: This full-day tour from Liverpool is a great way to experience the region.
Must-Do Activities: Visit historic Haweth, try Wensleydale cheese, see the Ribbhlehead Viaduct, and hike in the national parks.
7. Ride the Famous Mersey Ferry
Taking the Mersey Ferry is one of my favorite day trips from Liverpool by boat and the is the best way to explore the Wirral peninsula. There are lots of things to do from visiting Birkenhead Park to New Brighton and Port Sunlight. With plenty of shops, restaurants, and seaside entertainment to keep you occupied, this is a fun day out for all the family.
The 200-acre North Wirral Coastal Park is a stunning stretch of coastline with sandy beaches and coast paths perfect for hiking, cycling, picnicking, and horse riding among other outdoor activities on offer.
This is also a great way to see some of the city’s top landmarks from the Royal Liver Building to the cathedrals, Birkenhead port buildings, and more. The journey time across the estuary is around 30 minutes.
Location: There are terminals at Liverpool Gerry Marsden on the city side and Seacombe on the Wirral side.
Getting There: The ferry terminal is within walking distance from Liverpool city center.
Best Tour from Liverpool: You can book a day ticket and hop on and hop off at your leisure.
Must-Do Activities: See the Liverpool skyline from the Mersey, explore the Wirral and Birkenhead, and visit North Wirral Coastal Park.
8. Visit the Strawberry Fields
“Let me take you down, ’cause I’m going to Strawberry Fields”… Strawberry Fields is located to the south of the city. It’s the site of a former Salvation Army children’s home made famous by the Beatles song of the same name. It’s now home to a large garden and Beatles exhibition which includes John Lennon’s piano amongst many other interesting exhibits.
Explore the beautifully landscaped gardens that Lennon walked around during his childhood. Learn the history of the children’s home and its connections to the Salvation Army and the Beatles, discover interesting interactive displays and shop for souvenirs, or simply just sit back and enjoy a drink and a snack in the on-site cafe.
This is one of the best day trips from Liverpool by bus and is easy to reach by public transport or by taking a coach tour (see below).
Location: 15 minutes south of Liverpool. Find it here on the map.
Getting There: It’s about a ten to twenty-minute drive from the center of Liverpool. Bus Line 76 departs Liverpool One Bus Station to Strawberry Fields multiple times an hour. The journey time by bus is 29 minutes and costs £3. The best way to experience Strawberry Fields is to take a tour that departs from Gower Street.
Best Tour from Liverpool: Liverpool Beatles and Strawberry Fields tour.
Must-Do Activities: See the piano used to compose Imagine, walk around the gardens, and shop for souvenirs.
9. Take a Peaky Blinders Tour
Fans of the popular TV show Peaky Blinders will love this half-day tour of Liverpool and the surrounding areas where the series was filmed. You’ll get to go behind the scenes and learn about the real Peaky Blinders gang that influenced the show.
This is one of the most fun day trips from Liverpool as you’ll be able to watch clips from the show while touring the filming locations and get a real insight into these historic areas around Liverpool. I highly recommend including this in your itinerary!
Location: The meeting point is at St George’s Hall in central Liverpool. See the location on Google maps.
Getting There: The tour includes a combination of transport by bus and walking.
Best Tour from Liverpool: Book your Peaky Blinders tour today.
Must-Do Activities: See the filming locations, learn the history of the gang, and explore central Liverpool, the Wirral, and River Mersey.
10. Enjoy a Day Out at Martin Mere Nature Reserve
The Martin Mere Nature Reserve and Wetland Centre is one of the best day trips around Liverpool if you want to get out and explore some beautiful countryside and spot the local wildlife. With 600 acres of wild wetland to traverse, this is the perfect day out for the whole family.
The nature reserve has 12 hides where you can try and spot anything from geese and ducks to birds of prey and otters. The Mere Side Cafe is a great place to stop for a bite to eat and there’s also a shop that sells a range of souvenirs and outdoor-related gear.
Location: 45 minutes north of Liverpool. Find it here on the map.
Getting There: It’s possible to reach the nature reserve by train, but as you’ll need to change at Southport, it’s quicker and easier to drive – hiring a car is best.
Must-Do Activities: Walk around the reserve, spot local wildlife, see the beaver dam, and have a bite to eat at the cafe.
11. Take a Day Trip to Formby
Formby is one of the easiest day trips from Liverpool as this small coastal town is just 12 miles north of the city. As well as visiting the charming town with its boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants, the area is home to a gorgeous stretch of coastline with dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, and a haven for wildlife that’s well worth seeing.
The sand dunes at Formby have been designated a site of special scientific interest as the area is an important habitat for local species such as sand lizards, natterjack toads, and the rare red squirrel.
It’s also possible to spot not one, but two shipwrecks just off the coast at Formby.
Location: 30 minutes north of Liverpool. Find it here on the map.
Getting There: There are multiple hourly trains from Liverpool Central to Formby and the journey time is just 28 minutes.
Must-Do Activities: Walk along the beach, explore the sand dunes, spot wildlife, and shop, eat, and drink in the town.
12. Enjoy All the Fun of the Fair at Blackpool
If you’re looking for a fun day trip from Liverpool for the whole family, then Blackpool and its famous pleasure beach is a must. The resort town is just 55 miles north of Liverpool and is easily reachable by car and public transport.
Blackpool is a traditional British seaside destination and a great place to experience some high-octane rides, sample some fish and chips on the promenade, build sand castles and take a dip in the sea. Climb Blackpool Tower for magnificent views of the surrounding coastline.
Location: 1 hour north of Liverpool. Find it here on the map.
Getting There: Trains depart Liverpool Lime Street station four times an hour and the journey takes around 70 minutes. If driving, join the M6 and the journey should take just over an hour.
Must-Do Activities: Go up Blackpool Tower, have a day at the beach, go on rides at the pleasure beach, and eat fish and chips on the promenade.
13. Visit Stunning York
York is my favorite city in northern England and it’s easily reachable from Liverpool by car, train, and bus. There are lots of wonderful things to do in York from exploring the gothic York Minster Cathedral to exploring the Roman walls, the Jorvik Viking Centre, and sampling some of the chocolate that the city is famous for.
Explore the ancient Shambles; one of the most picturesque shopping streets in the whole of England. Soak in its narrow, cobbled lanes and widow displays straight out of a Harry Potter film.
There are lots of great pubs in York too such as my favorites the King’s Arms on the River Ouse, and the Fat Badger with its quirky gin garden.
Location: 2 hours northeast of Liverpool. Find it here on the map.
Getting There: York is a two-hour drive along the M62. There are two trains per hour from Liverpool Lime Street station and the journey time is just over two hours.
Must-Do Activities: See York Mister, experience the York Chocolate Story, explore the Shambles, visit York Dungeons, and walk along the Roman walls.
14. Visit the Seaside Town of Southport
Southport is another wonderful seaside town in Merseyside 20 miles north of Liverpool. The area boasts 22 miles of coastline with golden sands, clifftop walks, a golf course, and lots of top attractions from the historic pier to the boating lake and King’s Gardens.
Spend the day at the beach building sandcastles and exploring the beautiful coastline, or have fun at the amusements on the pier. There’s sure to be something for everyone in this charming beachside town as you explore the seaside town and its pubs, cafes, and restaurants of Southport.
Location: 45 minutes north of Liverpool. Find it here on the map.
Getting There: There are multiple hourly trains from Liverpool Central and Lime Street stations to Southport. The journey time is under one hour. If driving, take the A565. The journey time is around 45 minutes.
Must-Do Activities: Visit Southport pier, walk along the beach, or hire a pedalo on the boating lake.
15. Have a Day Out in Bradford
Bradford is a city in West Yorkshire 60 miles from Liverpool. The city is packed with interesting things to see and do from museums charting England’s industrial heritage to parks, gardens, shops, and restaurants.
With lots of historic buildings from Bradford Cathedral to Cartwright Hall, this is a great choice for a day trip from Liverpool. The Broadway is a great place for shopping with top high street brands to browse and a large food court in the center of town.
The historic Salts Mill is an old textile factory that now houses a contemporary art gallery and entertainment complex with shops selling art supplies and other local crafts.
Location: 90 minutes east of Liverpool. Find it here on the map.
Getting There: There are two to three hourly trains from Liverpool Lime Street to Bradford. The journey time is around three hours with a change at Manchester Victoria. Driving should take just over an hour, though finding parking in the city center can be difficult.
Must-Do Activities: Shop at the Broadway, visit the Salts Mill, and see Bradford Cathedral.
Day Trips Around Liverpool: FAQs
Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about day trips from Liverpool:
Visiting Manchester, the Yorkshire Dales, and North Wales are three of the most popular day trips from Liverpool. Crosby Beach, Southport, and Strawberry Fields are also great day trips a little closer to the city.
Three to four days is the perfect amount of time to explore Liverpool. However, if you want to take some of these excellent day trips from Liverpool during your stay, then one week is better to explore the surrounding coastline, national parks, towns, and cities.
The Lake District is one of the best day trips from Liverpool with a car as you’ll have the freedom to explore this enchanting part of northern England at your own pace.
The cities of Machester, York, Chester, and Southport are the best day trips from Liverpool by train as there are many hourly direct services that make these places very easy to reach by rail.
Snowdonia National Park in North Wales and the Lake District are two of the most beautiful places near Liverpool and make for excellent day trips from the city. The stretch of coastline just north of the city is also one of the most beautiful places near Liverpool.
In Conclusion
Now you know about the best day trips from Liverpool. Whether you want to explore historic cities such as Manchester and York, spend time exploring the stunning Merseyside coastline at places like Southport or Crosby beach, or get out into nature of the north Yorkshire moors, Lake District National Park, or North Wales, there really is something for everyone.
Liverpool is an excellent destination and I love spending time in the city, but its location so close to so many incredible places means that you don’t just have to stick to the city when visiting. Be sure to factor in a few days for a couple of these day trips when planning your trip to England’s city of culture.