6 Best Day Trips from Liverpool

Liverpool is a vibrant city in northwest England. And while the city has a huge number of attractions to offer and things to do, sometimes it’s fun to leave the city and explore nearby locations for a day trip.

Thanks to its convenient location in the north of England, the city is well connected to many other cities. This means there are plenty of choices for great day trips from Liverpool.

If you choose to go by train, you are within easy reach of both bustling cities and quaint historic towns. Read on to see six of our favourite picks for the best day trips from Liverpool.

Travelling from Liverpool

Liverpool is a practical starting point for travel all over the UK. It has four main train stations, including Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool Central, Liverpool James Street, and Moorfields.

The city itself has many great days out for families and groups of friends. But for those wanting to travel further afield, there are many places to visit near Liverpool, with great destinations ranging from an hour to two hours away on the train.

Places to visit within one hour of Liverpool

There are many places to visit within one hour of Liverpool that are ideal for day trips. The historic city of Chester and the bustling city of Manchester are both within that distance by train. Naturally, they both offer plenty of places to see and things to do.

Read on for some of Chester and Manchester’s best attractions.

1. Chester

Chester is one of the best places to visit near Liverpool for history lovers. The city still has visible remains from its time as a fort during the Roman Empire. It’s also the location of many historical museums and cathedrals.

For visitors looking for places to visit within one hour of Liverpool, the travel time to Chester is only 45 minutes by train.

Top Chester attractions include:

• Chester Zoo: One of the UK’s largest zoos, Chester Zoo houses over 35,000 animals.

• Chesters Roman Fort and Museum: This Roman fort has preserved ruins dating back two thousand years. It gives a fascinating insight into life during Roman times, with ruins of a bathhouse, houses, and a cavalry fort still visible today.

• Chester Cathedral: This grand cathedral has a history dating back a thousand years. The building is open to visitors, with regular services and musical performances.

• The Grosvenor Museum: This museum showcases Chester’s rich history, with ancient artefacts from Roman times up to artworks showing the city in modern times.

2. Manchester

One of North England’s most vibrant cities, Manchester has much to offer for those taking a day trip from Liverpool. The city has a thriving dining and nightlife scene and a rich array of historical and cultural attractions.

Better yet, it’s only 55 minutes from Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Piccadilly by train. Some of Manchester’s many attractions include:

• Manchester Art Museum: This art museum features a variety of artworks from both modern and historical artists.

• Old Trafford Stadium: Man United fans won’t want to miss a tour of the iconic Old Trafford Stadium. Man City fans can also visit the nearby Etihad Stadium.

• Manchester Cathedral: This majestic cathedral is in the centre of Manchester. Visitors can admire its gothic architecture or walk through the grounds. It also has regular musical performances, which are free to the public.

• Northern Quarter: Manchester’s Northern Quarter has many independent restaurants and bars. Head here to watch some live music or make a unique purchase in one of the area’s independent boutiques.

Places to visit within two hours of Liverpool

Day trips from Liverpool are wide-ranging and could be interesting for anyone from solo travellers to families or couples. The lively town of Blackpool has a gorgeous beach, while Shrewsbury is full of historic locations.

Below, you can find more details about each of them.

3. Blackpool

Blackpool is one of England’s oldest seaside resorts. It takes only one hour and 20 minutes to travel by train from Liverpool Lime Street to Blackpool North. The town is an ideal day trip for families, thanks to its wide array of attractions suitable for kids.

Top Blackpool attractions include:

• Blackpool Pleasure Beach: This theme park is one of Blackpool’s oldest attractions, opening in 1896. It has 10 roller coasters and five water rides, with options for both adults and children.

• Blackpool Zoo: This 37-acre zoo is home to over 1000 animals and is a popular attraction for Blackpool visitors.

• Blackpool Tower: This tower was once one of the tallest buildings in England. Visitors can go to the Eye at the top for views across North East England. The ballroom at the tower's base also holds live performances, including the Blackpool Tower Circus.

4. Shrewsbury

The historic town of Shrewsbury is famous for being the birthplace of Charles Darwin. Shrewsbury makes an excellent day trip from Liverpool for history and culture enthusiasts.

It’s easily accessible too, with an approximate travel time by train of one hour and 45 minutes to reach Shrewsbury Station. Key Shrewsbury attractions include:

• The Quarry: This 29-acre park has beautiful views of the River Severn. It also hosts regular festivals, including the Shrewsbury Flower Festival and the Shrewsbury Food Festival.

• Attingham House: A National Trust country estate and garden with a fascinating history dating back to the 18th century.

• Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery: Shrewsbury’s main museum has many historical artefacts. They consist of archaeological finds, ancient fossils, and fine art.

Day trips from Liverpool by train

If you’ve got a little more time to spare for travelling, there are many more places to visit near Liverpool.

Birmingham, one of the UK’s biggest cities, is approximately two hours away and has a huge variety of attractions. The train trip to the smaller city of Carlisle is slightly over two hours away and offers many historical attractions dating back to the Roman Empire.

Read on for some popular visitor attractions in Birmingham and Carlisle.

5. Birmingham

As the UK’s second-largest city, Birmingham has lots to offer for both families and groups of friends. With plenty of kid-friendly activities and a range of cultural attractions, it’s one of the best places to visit from Liverpool by train.

Travel time from Liverpool is approximately two hours, making it another exceptional choice for a day trip. Top places to visit in Birmingham include:

• Cadbury World: This tour of the Cadbury factory offers a fascinating look into how experts make chocolate. Interactive exhibits and complimentary sweet treats make it ideal for families with children.

• Birmingham Back to Backs: This museum is home to the city’s last remaining “back-to-back” houses from the 19th century. Visitors can get an insight into working-class life during the 1800s.

• National Sea Life Centre Birmingham: This aquarium has over 60 displays of sea life, including a 360° tunnel with views of turtles and sharks.

• Birmingham Botanical Gardens: This garden dates back to Victorian times and looks after 7000 species of plants.

6. Carlisle

No list of day trips from Liverpool would be complete without mentioning Carlisle. This cathedral city is full of a rich history and has plenty of things to do for families with kids.

The travel time from Liverpool Lime Street to Carlisle Station is around two hours and 10 minutes. Some of the best things to do in Carlisle include:

• Hadrian's Wall: This Roman fortress wall once stretched from the East to the West coast of the UK. Today, its remains are visible from many locations in Northern England, but the remains near Carlisle are particularly well preserved.

• Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery: This museum houses historical artefacts, clothing, and artworks from a wide range of historical periods.

• Carlisle Castle: This Mediaeval castle has stood in Carlisle for nine centuries. Today, it is also home to Cumbria's Museum of Military Life.

Travel by train with Avanti

You can take a day trip from Liverpool to many exciting locations across the UK with Avanti.

Explore the best day trips from Liverpool by train using our Journey Planner. You can also save money on your trip by booking tickets in advance or applying for a Railcard.