19 BEST Day Trips From Liverpool & Day Tours From Liverpool!

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Looking for days out from Liverpool and the best day trips from Liverpool to go on! We’ve got you covered!

Thinking about a refreshing coastal trip? Or maybe you’re itching for some green countryside vibes? From the bustling streets of cities like York and Chester to the peaceful retreats of the Peak District and Lake District, there’s something for every kind of wanderer and family. These places are totally worth your time travelling from Liverpool to.

And if you don’t have car, there’s no stress! Trains and coaches have got you covered. I’ve roped in a few of my travel-loving friends and we’ve crafted a list of the best day trips from Liverpool. Every spot is based on our own fun trips, ensuring you get the firsthand tips and advice from real travel bloggers and people!

Day Trips from Liverpool

Right next to the castle is the Conwy Suspension Bridge. Although built much later, it blends well with the castle’s architecture and still has the original toll house where the family who ran it would live. Conwy is also home to some of the most intact medieval town walls in the country which you can walk along for free.

A visit to York Minster is also essential when in York. This magnificent Gothic cathedral is the symbol of the city, full of ancient history and beautiful features. Learn about its Roman foundations in the undercroft museum, and climb the 275 steps up the tower to marvel at the views over the city.

Next, go for a wander or a picnic in Museum Gardens (I recommend picking up a sweet treat from Brew and Brownie!), then learn about Viking history at Jorvik Viking Centre. Finally, stroll through the city’s snickelways – these narrow, pedestrianised alleyways are one of York’s most unique features.

What’s great about walking up Mam Tor is that there’s so many routes – short and long. So if you really just want the views, you can drive to the nearest car park and it’s less than half a mile to the top. Or you can start in nearby Castleton or Edale and take longer routes, adding on nearby attractions like Winnats Pass and caves like Speedwell or Blue John Cavern. 

And at the top, you’ll get to take in sweeping views over the beautiful Peak District countryside. It’s the perfect place to sit and eat lunch on the grass on a sunny day making it one of the best days out from Liverpool.

You’ll find a bustling promenade overlooking a picturesque beach. The beach is a mixture of sand and pebbles, so it is more of a place to paddle than to sunbathe, but you can still find a nice place to pitch your tower in the summer months. 

As well as visiting the beach, you have got to walk down the nearby pier. It’s the longest pier in Wales (and one of the longest in the UK) and along it, you’ll find a great collection of games, arcades, and fairground rides that will keep you entertained for hours. If you love ‘Deal or No Deal’ or the 2p machine, you could end up spending quite a long time here!

It is located at the head of Hope Valley in the Peak District and serves as a great base to explore the nearby caves and taverns. One of the main visitor attractions of the village is the imposing ruins of Peveril Castle. It was built in 1086 by William Peveril, son of William the Conqueror. Climb this historic fortress to learn about its fascinating past. Also, from the top, you will get an awe-inspiring view of the surrounding hillsides.

There are four unique show caves in Castleton. Peak Cavern is almost entirely natural, carved out by melting glacier waters and the cave system is the largest in the Peak District. Treak Cliff Cavern and Blue John Cavern contain beautiful caves decorated with different varieties of Blue John stone, a beautiful and ornamental fluor-spar. Speedwell Cavern is an old lead mine, and visitors are taken on an underground boat trip to the cavern.

There are some wonderful shops in Kendal that you must visit on a day trip, start with the 1657 Chocolate House on Branthwaite Brow and enjoy some delicious handmade chocolate treats. Next up visit the olde fleece inn, which is the oldest and one of the best pubs in Kendal and perfect for a spot of lunch or a cheeky beer or two.

If you’d prefer afternoon tea, then across the street from Ye Olde Fleece Inn is Farrer’s tea and coffee house, the oldest tea room in Kendal serving tea and coffee since 1819. It is advisable to book in advance if you want this though as it gets very busy with visitors and locals.

Take a stroll around the historic streets and the quaint ‘Yards’ which branch off and cut through between the main roads. If you happen to visit on a Wednesday or Saturday you can see the market in full swing and buy some fresh local produce.

Kendal Museum is also worth a visit if time allows to learn all about the fascinating history of the town and Kendal Castle. It is one of the oldest museums in Britain and inside you can find some unique collections. From the private geologic finds of local man John Hamer to some questionable taxidermy that has been in the museum since it opened in 1796.

A short walk from the main town centre you can also find Kendal Castle which is free to visit and due to its elevated position has panoramic views over Kendal town.

Whatever you choose to do in Kendal it is sure to be a day trip from Liverpool to remember.

Suggested by: Stephanie from Book It Lets Go

Known for its picturesque views of the Irish Sea, Morecambe is the perfect destination for a peaceful getaway. Visitors can stroll along the promenade, taking in the fresh sea breeze and admiring the stunning vistas. Moreover, the Eric Morecambe statue offers a great photo opportunity and a chance to pay homage to the legendary comedian.

The vast expanse of golden sand at Morecambe Beach provides the perfect setting for leisurely strolls and picnics with family and friends. This area is also home to a variety of wildlife, making it a great spot for birdwatching enthusiasts.

The Morecambe bird statues are a beautiful and iconic feature of the seaside town of Morecambe in England. These striking sculptures, stand tall against the backdrop of the picturesque Morecambe Bay, inviting both locals and visitors to marvel at their elegance and grace.

Blackpool is known for the Pleasure Beach with amusement rides, the seafront promenade and the Blackpool Tower with its famous ballroom. It even has its own Madame Tussauds museum where you can “see” the British royal family. A tip for anyone planning to visit is to buy tickets online in advance because it means that you can skip the queue.

In the city centre are several buildings worth visiting such as the Winter Gardens, the Blackpool Opera House and The Grand Theatre. It is also possible to go inside the Blackpool tower ballroom where the BBC Strictly Come Dancing Blackpool Week takes place each year.

For children there is an aquarium called Sea Life in the city centre and a zoo further out. There are also several beaches in the area where you can spend the day during the summer. Make sure you check tide levels. The area of exposed sand differs significantly between high and low tide are nearly just like Silver Sands in Scotland and so many other beaches across the UK. 

Come evening there is plenty to keep you entertained with theatres, comedy clubs and from the 1st of September until new year’s day you can see the Blackpool illuminations. The illuminations take place every year and are often described as the greatest free light show on earth. They feature colourful illuminated trams, lasers and millions of light bulbs in a riot of colours across the city.

This is one of the top days out near Manchester with kids I recommend and it works well for people coming from Liverpool too!

The Monkey Forest is home to 140 free-roaming Barbary macaque monkeys which you walk freely amongst. There is a path that takes you around the park and with your entry ticket, you can walk around as many times as you wish.

Regular feeding occurs which is really fun to see and during peak times the staff put on educational talks for children about the monkeys.

It is home to Yr Wyddfa (Mt Snowdon) which gives its name to the parks and at 3560ft (1085m) it is the tallest mountain in Wales.

For the adventurous, hiking to Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) Summit is one of the best things include on your Snowdonia road trip from Liverpool.  Reaching the summit requires a 5-7 hour hike, so an early start is recommended.

There are a number of different trails to choose from.  The most popular is the Pyg Track, which is the shortest and offers the most diverse views along the way.

If you’re visiting between April and October, you also have the option to take the scenic Snowdon Mountain Railway to the summit.  This is a great option for those exploring with family or with mobility issues.

It is also well worth adding stops at nearby Conwy Castle and Betws-y-Coed village to make the most of your day trip. 

Built in the the 13th century, Conwy Castle is one of the most impressive medieval fortresses in Europe and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A stop at the charming village of Betws-y-Coed makes you feel like you’ve been transported back in time.  As well as being a beautiful place to see, it is also a great place to stop for food.

You’ll find Llyn Padarn in the charming town of Llanberis. The best way to get there is by car and if you don’t have your own, there are plenty of rental companies in Liverpool.

If you’d prefer not to drive, then you’re best off opting for a tour, such as this North Wales Tour which includes a visit to Llanberis.

The main reason to visit Llyn Padarn is simply its beauty. At around 2 miles (3.2 km) long, it’s one of the largest natural lakes in Wales, and it sits at the foot of Snowdon (the tallest mountain in Wales).

Due to its variety of outdoorsy activities, Llyn Padarn is the perfect destination for outdoor lovers. First of all, there are plenty of water sports opportunities including kayaking, paddle boarding, and open-water swimming.  

You’ll also find lots of hiking trails in the surrounding area, with the Llyn Padarn Lake Walk being a popular option.

However, one of the best things to do at this beautiful place is to photograph the Lonely Tree. Located near the Snowdonia Watersports Centre, this tree is found on the shore of the lake, and sometimes it’s submerged depending on the water levels.

This ionic tree is one of the most photographed locations in Wales and is best admired at sunrise or sunset, especially as the crowds come here during the afternoon.

While here, don’t forget to head out on a ride on the Llanberis Lake Railway too, which will take you right alongside Llyn Padarn.

You can easily get there in 45 minutes by car or train (direct from Lime Street), perfect for one of the day trips from Liverpool by train!

Chester was founded by the Romans and is full of history. Start your day in the city centre where you can go on a walk on the city walls. Once you reach Eastgate Clock, walk down the stairs to Eastgate Street.

This is the main high street and where you’ll find most of the shops. You will notice some stairs on the side, these lead to the famous Chester rows. They are a row of half-timbered galleries with loads of cute shops and cafes.

You can also reach Chester Cathedral and visit it for free.

If you are visiting on a sunny day, make sure to go to the River Dee. It’s beautiful there and you can go on a walk along the river or book one of the river cruises.

Another interesting place to visit is the Chester Racecourse. It’s the oldest racecourse still in operation in the world and they always have a lot of events on. You can easily get tickets for a race on their website.

If you are visiting with kids, you should also consider going to Chester Zoo. This is one of the best zoos in North West England and a great day out.

They have all sorts of animals including lions, giraffes and bears. They are also involved in a lot of charity work with animals and you can learn more about that while you visit.

For a day trip from Liverpool, Windermere is a convenient and easy choice because Bowness-Windermere is a major hub connecting the Lake District to the rest of England. It’s about 2 hours by train from Liverpool Lime Street Station. 

The Lake District is known for its unique and poetic charm due to its deep connection to artists, poets, and writers. Many of them found inspiration in their work, including the creation of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. 

Windermere is the largest natural lake in England, and the town is usually packed with tourists during summer therefore it’s a great time to beat the crowd and get there in spring as the tree begins to bud and the ground softens. Having said that, there’s no strict period to visit the Lake District as the look and feel are different in each season of the year.  

For families, visit the World of Beatrix Potter attraction. The story has been one of the most famous children’s books and the museum recreates Peter Rabbit’s world in 3D. 

For couples, check in an intimate Bed and Breakfast and go fine dining at L’Enclume, one of the ‘Best restaurants in the UK’ named by the Good Food Guide 2020. 

Jodrell Bank has been a popular day out for years, but the opening of the new First Light Pavillion visitor centre has made it an unmissable destination.

Jodrell Bank Observatory is in the Cheshire countryside, about halfway between Knutsford and Macclesfield. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site in recognition of its contribution to space science, but it’s still one of the world’s most important astronomical research centres.

The star of the show is the iconic Lovell Telescope, which was built in 1957 and is still operational today. When the Soviet Union launched the world’s first satellite, Sputnik, later that year, the Lovell telescope, which is named after its creator Bernard Lovell, was the only one able to track it. Since then, it’s played a part in tracking space missions and the ongoing search for extraterrestrial life.

Llangollen is based on a river and surrounded by hills. Recently, I went white water rafting on the river Dee with White Water Active which was a lot of fun and one of the top things I’d recommend doing in Llangollen.

Another one of my favourites is to drive out of the town a bit and walk up Castell Dinas Brân. Here, you can see amazing views and enjoy this hilltop ruin of a castle built in the 13th century.

One of the highlights of visiting Llangollen though is going to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to see the canal along the top! This is a really unique Aqueduct, not only are its 19 arches impressive from afar but you can walk along the canal and aqueduct and also, hire kayak’s and sail across it yourself 38 meters above the river below!

Walk amongst penguins and lemurs and buy some food when you enter the park to hand-feed the wallabies. These activities are so good for children and offer a memorable day out. New to the park are Polar Bears which are also incredible to see!

This is a city perfect for history and nature lovers and with a short 5-minute walk from the train station you can connect yourself with a hot drink from the indoor cafe at Millennium Gallery and from there begin your walk around the gardens.

To learn about the city’s industrial side, with a 7 minute walk from the city centre you have Kelham Island. Here you will find the Kelham Island Museum which tells the story of Sheffield’s contribution to the world’s steel market and has the finest display of cutlery items and tableware all made in Sheffield.

If you fancy a drink you can also find a great selection of microbreweries and pubs scattered around this neighbourhood too. Back in the city centre you have places to eat such as The Lucky Fox and Tamper Coffee House which are open for lunchtime meals, drinks or snacks.

Leeds is famous as a shopping city, with everything from designer shops to cute independent boutiques, vintage retro and all the high street names you would expect.  Trinity Shopping Centre has the high street shops, the Corn Exchange is a unique building full of independent stores and the Victoria Quarter is where to go for designer names, as well as to admire the beautiful architecture.

However, there is much more to Leeds than just shopping, and there are plenty of fun things to do in Leeds City centre to keep you busy, from axe throwing and bowling to afternoon tea.  If you like museums, check out The Royal Armouries, Leeds Art Gallery, Henry Moore Institute and Leeds Museum, which are all free, and pop into the Leeds Central Library for a coffee in their gorgeous Tiled Hall Café.

For lunch, head to the street food court in Kirkgate Market, where you can choose from Indian or Thai food, Yorkshire pudding wraps, giant hotdogs and more.  Leeds has some excellent Thai restaurants like Thai Aroi Dee which has a great value lunch offer, and curry houses like Aagrah and Akbar’s.  You can even dine in Michelin-starred restaurant The Man Behind the Curtain which is open for lunch from Thursday to Saturday, although you’ll need to book a table!

There are plenty of ways to spend one day in Manchester. If you have children, be sure to check out museums like the Science and Industry Museum and Manchester Museum. For all the Harry Potter vibes visit John Rylands Library, and there are so many cool shops and cafes in the Norther Quarter!

• More of my related posts:
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• 7 MUST-VISIT National Trust Sites in Manchester and nearby!
• 30 BEST Places to Visit in North Wales & North Wales Attractions!