The sun doesn’t have to be shining for you to enjoy some of Liverpool’s parks.
Sure, it helps when the sun is cracking the flags but Liverpool’s greenspaces are fantastic all year round and have plenty of things to discover. The city’s parks have hosted fun runs, firework displays, music festivals, sell out events, boat races and much more.
READ MORE: 37 ideas for family day trips you can get to by train
Many of us will have grown up playing in these parks but how many of them do we actually know? We’ve listed 22 of Liverpool’s best parks that you can explore for yourself.
Calderstones Park
Calderstones Park is a stunning 94-acre family park in South Liverpool boasting woodland, lake and fields, and Japanese and old English gardens. An angling permit is required if fishing in the lake.
It was chosen as a WW2 hero dog’s resting place and there is a monument to him in the park. Jet saved 150 lives through the war and was awarded the Dickin Medal (the animal equivalent to the Victoria Cross.)
The monument has been in the park since 1949 and can be found today. There is also a wonderful picnic area with the nearby Linda McCartney children’s playground which includes swings, roundabout, slide, see-saw, activity net, spring mobiles, interactive play unit and a multi play area.
Refreshments are available at The Reader Cafe and the Ice Cream Parlour. Visit Storybarn, an interactive story centre for young people to explore, share and discover their love of books.
Don’t forget to pay a visit to the 1,000-year-old oak tree and the Miniature Railway which runs every Sunday from 2pm, weather permitting. Rides are free, but donations are welcome.
Calderstones Road, L18 3JD
Otterspool Prom
Otterspool Promenade in South Liverpool offers a stunning riverside walk plus a park and play area. With beautiful views across the River Mersey, the promenade is an ideal place to go for a stroll, walk with the dog or a bike ride.
There is plenty of greenspace to relax on and also a playground which includes swings, climbing frame, spinning dish, climbing net, see-saw. The nearby hills are great for kite-flying and there is also a sports hub for skateboarders, BMX and scooter riders.
Otterspool Road, Liverpool L17
Newsham Park
Newsham Park is set in 121 acres it is a Grade II listed Victorian park which is surrounded by fine period architecture and also includes a fishing lakes with roach, carp and tench. The park's historic features include the Grade II listed Newsham House - where Queen Victoria once stayed - the Grade II listed Seamen's Orphan Institution and cast iron bandstand.
An angling permit is required if fishing in one of the two large park lakes. Not only that but there is also a a playground including swings, roundabout, see-saw, spring mobile, spinning dish, play panels and multi play area plus an action sports hub for skateboarders, BMX and scooter riders.
Access via Sheil Road, Prescot Road and West Derby Road L6 7UF
Walton Hall Park
The 130-acre park opened to the public in 1934 by King George when he visited Liverpool to open the Queensway Tunnel. The park's lake is ideal for anglers, with an angling permit required to fish in the lakes.
The park also includes a small pond used to sail model boats and a children’s play area which has swings, multi-plays, roundabout, see-saw, rocking unit, and games area.
If the kids need to burn off some energy - there is also two football pitches and a 3.2km fitness trail around the park. If you want to get active but are in need of some inspiration, the fitness trail includes a range of keep fit stations and suggested exercises along the route.
Walton Hall Avenue, Walton, L4 9XP
Sefton Park
You might need more than a day to explore Sefton Park as the Grade 1 historic 235 acre park certainly isn’t short on greenspace. A day can be spent relaxing by the boating lake, the bandstand or the Palm House.
The Palm House itself has plenty of events happening throughout the year as does Sefton Park which annually hosts the Liverpool Food and Drink Festival. Explorers can check out the grotto, better known as 'Old Nick's caves', the Fairy Glen or head straight for the children’s playground which includes swings, slide, climbing frames, roundabout and a multi play area.
There are a number of statues and monuments in the park, including the Eros Fountain and Peter Pan statue.
Sefton Park, South Liverpool, L17 1AJ
Everton Park
It may not be typical park but Everton Park can offer great views of the city’s landmarks. The park's vantage point allows visitors to catch a glimpse of the River Mersey and docks.
The park features a sports hub for skateboarders, BMX and scooter riders, a nature garden, heritage trail plus children's playgrounds, fitness equipment and multi-use games area.
Great Homer Street, Everton, L5 5PH
Norris Green Park
The historic park of just under 17 acres and is at the heart of the Norris Green district of Liverpool. The massive wall that can be found in Norris Green Park is part of the mansion that Norris Green was named after, the former home of Liverpool bankers and at one time a Lord Mayor.
In the late 1930’s the mansion called Norris Green owned by the Norris family was demolished to make way for the housing estates and land that is now known as Norris Green. The remains of the mansion can be found in the park today.
Lorenzo Drive, Liverpool L11 1BE
Allerton Towers
Allerton Towers is a beautiful 35 acre park situated in South Liverpool. In 1849 Allerton Tower Park was acquired by Hardman Earle who introduced the mansion based on a design by Harvey Lonsdale Elmes who also designed St George’s Hall.
The estate was then acquired by Liverpool Corporation in 1924 and opened as a park three years later.
In 1937 the tower has to be demolished due to serious dry rot but the lodge, stables, former laundry and part of the orangery of Allerton Tower remain and can be found in today.
It’s also home to Merseyside Youth Challenge Trust's outdoor activity centre which runs abseiling, orienteering, nature trails, parties and team building. It also run school holiday activity camps.
Woolton Rd, Liverpool L16 8NA
St James Mount and Gardens
These peaceful cemetery gardens alongside Liverpool’s magnificent Anglican Cathedral are not your average park. The Grade I listed garden is the perfect place to relax and take in the beauty of the historical architecture which surrounds it.
Formerly a cemetery, the gardens include historical features such as a stone arch between Garden Lodge and the steps up the Mount, the Huskinsson memorial, a natural spring and a series of catacombs. The main entrance to the garden is off Upper Duke Street. You can also access the gardens from the south entrance near Upper Parliament Street
Liverpool L1 7AZ
Wavertree Botanic Gardens
The history of the gardens dates all the way back to the 19th century. In 1802 a group of Liverpool botanists, including William Roscoe, opened a private botanic garden near Mount Pleasant in Liverpool.
Later in 1831 it was decided to move the Garden to a larger site at Edge Lane. The garden once played a central role in the recreation and culture life of Liverpool before the destruction of the great glasshouses during WW2.
It features a walled garden, ornamental carpet bedding, children's play areas with swings, roundabout, multi-play and spring mobile, an ornamental fountain, summer house and fishpond, glasshouses and ancillary buildings.
Edge Lane, Liverpool L7 9PL
Festival Gardens
The park is described by many as a hidden gem of the city. Festival Gardens were originally the site of The International Garden Festival which was the UK’s first ever garden festival in 1984.
The Festival Gardens attracted more than three million visitors during the festival but once the festival was over, a large part of the gardens were redeveloped.
The remaining gardens were left derelict and fell into disrepair in 1997. However, redevelopment work took place in 2010 and turned the gardens into a beautiful space. It features oriental gardens, pagodas, lakes, waterways and waterfalls.
Riverside Dr, Liverpool L17 5BU
Speke and Garston Coastal Reserve
With panoramic views across the estuary, Speke and Garston Coastal Reserve isn’t your typical green space in the city. Stretching across 70 acres of land from Garston Docks to Liverpool John Lennon Airport, it is the perfect location for walking, sailing, bird watching, cycling and plane spotting.
The park can be accessed through the Coastal Reserve from Speke Boulevard (A561) at the Banks Road junction. There is even parking available at Blackburne Street entrance and Speke Hall.
Liverpool L24 1XD
Stanley Park
The 111 acre park is known for dividing the home grounds of Liverpool and Everton FC. Featuring Grade II listed historic features, a fishing lake and the beautiful Isla Gladstone, it’s a fantastic park to spend a few hours in.
There’s lots to explore in the Green Flag and Green Heritage award winning park, including a playground, rose gardens and wildlife habitats. The park can be accessed by Walton Lane and Anfield Road and a car park is also located at the Anfield Road end of the park.
Liverpool L4 2SL
Princes Park
The Grade II historic park in Toxteth features a fishing lake and historical features such as the Foundations of the former Grade II listed boathouse and Sunburst entrance gates. The park features a children's play area with swings, rotational climber, junior slide, see-saw, climbing frame and spring mobile.
Access to the park is via Princes Road, Windermere Terrace and Belvidere Road.
Liverpool L8 3TH
Reynolds Park
Compared to other parks in the city Reynolds Park is fairly small at just 14 acres. Set within the Woolton conservation area of South Liverpool, the park has a beautiful wildflower meadow and woodland areas with Rhododendron footpaths.
The origins of the park date back almost 200 years ago and the unspoilt park boasts a walled garden, which has won many awards in the Britain in Bloom competition.
116 Church Road, Liverpool L25 6DF
Clarke’s Gardens
One of the more tucked away of Liverpool's parks can be found in Allerton.
Near Springwood cemetery, it's also the home of Allerton Hall, a rather impressive example of a Grade II listed building, which was donated by the Clarke family to Liverpool City Council in 1927.
A TripAdvisor review of the gardens states: “The nature reserve is home to a vast range of plant and bird life. Flora and Fauna are in particular abundance. This is a peaceful oasis in the city and you could easily forget just where you are.”
442 Woolton Road, Liverpool L25 6JQ
Croxteth Country Park
Even bigger than Sefton Park, this space in West Derby boasts 500 acres of land. The country park offers woodland, pastures, ponds, streams and a network of paths and trails that are easy to lose yourself on.
The park is home to Croxteth Park Farm, a traditional working Victorian farm with plenty for families to see and do. Open to the public between April and September, Croxteth Hall was formerly the home of the Earls of Sefton and has been preserved in time back to the Edwardian age.
The park also features a Jungle Parc with tree trekking, Tarzan swings, zip wires and an X-Plorer course. It's accessible from Muirhead Avenue East.
Muirhead Avenue East, Liverpool L11 1EH
Rice Lane Recreation Ground
With links to the Liverpool Loop Line, Rice Lane Recreation Ground is a popular picnic spot to unwind in after a long cycle or walk. The park features a sports field and a woodland fringe which is a regular spot for dog walkers in the area.
Public also have access to two full sized football pitches and a medium sized, junior pitch, as well as changing rooms. It is also within a 10 minute walk of Rice Lane and Walton train station, as well as Rice Lane City Farm.
Liverpool L9 2BR
Derby Park
Just a 10 minute walk from Bootle town centre, the park was built in 1895. It is described as an excellent example of an urban Victorian park and has been recognised by its designation as part of the Derby Park Conservation Area and its listing on the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens
The park includes a play area, a zip wire, multi-use games area, statues and a bowls green. Its cultural significance has been further recognised by regeneration agencies and together with the Council and Sefton Children’s Fund, £753,000 has been invested in the park to date.
65 Fernhill Road, Bootle L20 9HE
North Park
An impressive green space in the centre of Bootle, North Park features plenty of field for ball games but also a skate park, playground and footpaths.
In the park Bootle Leisure Centre can also be found which offers a wide range of fitness classes, a 25m swimming pool, leisure pool with flume slide, rapids, sauna and steam room and more.
North Park, Bootle L20 5BY
Seeds Lane Park
Behind Longmoor Social Club and beside the the Co-Op and Barlows Lane Primary School is Seeds Lane park.
It is also within 10 minutes walking distance from Fazakerley train station and the Liverpool Loop Line walking and cycle path can be accessed from Seeds Lane.
Longmoor Lane, Liverpool L9 9HD
Warbreck Moor Park
Those who live in the Walton and Aintree area will have most probably grown up visiting Warbreck Moor Park. Located on the site of the former Liverpool Corporation Tramways depot, the park is popular with locals and is used by many for play, exercise and relaxation.
It used to house a bowling green, but this was removed in the 1980s and its main facilities are now a children's play area and an adventure play area.
Warbreck Moor, Liverpool L9 0HB
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