The Easter Bank Holiday has finally arrived, and many of us will be trying to decide what to do with our long weekend.
With that in mind, the ECHO has pulled together a list of some of the best places to get out and about in Sefton and slightly further afield. Whether you want to spend the afternoon walking on the beach or kick back and relax with in a beer garden we have got you covered.
Hightown Beach - The beach offers idyllic views of the Liverpool coastline and is normally less crowded during the bank holiday weekend. The area has an extensive system of sand dunes to get lost in and is the perfect place to take the dog for a walk.
From the beach, you can take a stroll along the Sefton Coastal Path into Crosby and grab an ice cream and snap a photo with the iconic Iron Men statues, created by sculptor Sir Antony Gormley.
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Birkdale Village - The village is full of amazing restaurants and bars to enjoy. It is right next to Birkdale station and has excellent transport links to the rest of Merseyside. You could spend a Bank Holiday afternoon visiting the artisan cheese shop and then stop for a drink at the Allotment, a former bank that's been converted into a restaurant where you can dine in the old vault.
The Lock and Quay pub - One of the most unique pubs on Merseyside. Sitting on the banks of the Leeds-Liverpool canal the pub was once a rough and ready boozer called the Little Merton. In 2017 it was transformed into a community pub.
The Lock and Quay is known for hosting live music and has a range of real ales to enjoy. The pub has a 45ft yacht in pride of place in the beer garden. The bow of a ship would be the perfect place to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Martin Mere - Just a short drive from Sefton you'll find Burscough's famous wetland centre, which boasts 800 acres of land to explore. The area is home to thousands of animals including a family of cheeky otters and exotic pink flamingos.
You can also take to the water and embark on the canoe safari and get up close and personal with all the wildlife the nature reserve has to offer.
Rufford Old Hall - Just minutes from Martin Mere is Rufford Old Hall, a beautiful Tudor mansion once visited by none other than the Bard himself, William Shakespeare. A twenty-minute drive from Southport the Grade I listed building offers plenty to do for the family.
You could take a picnic to enjoy in the mansion's beautiful formal garden which backs onto the canal. Or get lost in the beautiful country home and discover 500 years of English history.
