For those who live in Wirral know how beautiful it is.
Many people know it as "paradise peninsula" with its many beaches, countryside and landmarks. Liverpoool isn't the only place to go if you're looking for something to do.
Wirral has great food, beautiful locations and exhilarating experiences. It is also steeped in history, from art galleries to museums where you can learn more about the area.
READ MORE: Historic building transformed into quirky pop-up
We have put together a list of things to try and tick off in and around the peninsula. And while it can't be a definitive guide to everything you can do in Wirral, we think this is a good place to start.
Take a look below:
Take in the view from Birkenhead Priory
The oldest building on Merseyside, there are fantastic views of Liverpool and the River Mersey from St Mary's tower. Monks at the Priory supervised the first ferry crossings of the Mersey to help travellers.
Have an ice cream in Parkgate
It's a day trip worth making for an ice cream from Nicholls Famous Ice Cream in Parkgate, who have been making ice cream on site - and happy memories for scores of Wirral people - for 75 years.
...and at Caffe Cream in New Brighton
Multi award-winning Caffe Cream serves up traditional flavours and seasonal specials with a twist, like key lime pie, Jaffa Cake and Jammy Dodger. And it's a great spot for a coffee when it's too cold for ice cream.
Walk to Hilbre Island and go seal spotting
A number of different species of seals can be found in the waters around Hilbre, off the coast of West Kirby. According to the friends of Hilbre, the earliest positive identification of a grey seal in the Dee Estuary was in 1909.
See a show at the Floral Pavilion Theatre
From musicals to comedy shows, drama and dance, more big name shows come here than you might think. The theatre was rebuilt in 2008 as part of the regeneration of New Brighton.
Take a ferry 'cross the Mersey
Everyone knows the best views of Liverpool's waterfront are from Wirral. Services go from the Pier Head to Woodside and Seacombe.
Get a bite to eat at Woodside Ferry Village
Woodside Ferry Village was launched in June 2019 by Wirral Chamber Of Commerce and has transformed the former ferry terminal booking hall into a vibrant dining space. The market has a huge range of food and drink on offer.
Vendors include Caffe Cream, Haku, Pausha, Forked Up, Alex's Pita, O.D.B and and Davina's Mauritian Kitchen. It's open Thursday to Sunday. There's also an outdoor market every weekend.
See for miles from Bidston Hill and Bidston windmill
Rising to 231 feet, Bidston Hill is one of the highest points in Wirral. Bidston Windmill is open from 10:00 am until 12 noon on the first Saturday of each month from April to September.
Have a walk around Birkenhead Park
It was the inspiration for Central Park in New York but you don't need to jump on a plane when this green oasis is in the middle of Birkenhead.
Visit Fort Perch Rock in New Brighton
Historic Fort Perch Rock was built as a coastal defence battery during the Napoleonic period to protect the Port of Liverpool, and now features a museum and exhibitions.
Walk along the Wirral Way
The scenic path, which forms part of Wirral Country Park, runs for 12 miles from West Kirby to Hooton.
Go for a roast at the Red Fox or The Basset Hound
If you're looking for a Sunday treat and don't want to cook, a roast at the Red Fox in Thornton Hough or The Basset Hound in Barnston will do the trick.
Get Wirral's 'famous' fish and chips
The Green Hut on Pasture Road in Moreton, just down the road from Leasowe Lighthouse, is "famous" for its fish and chips. Head down on a sunny day or after a visit to the lighthouse.
Take the children to Royden Park Miniature Railway
If you're looking to do something with the children on a Sunday, visit Royden Park. This is a large area of parkland next to Thurstaston Common, which offers a wide range of activities and facilities.
Families can picnic and stroll through the walled garden. You can also hop on the steam-powered miniature railway run by Wirral Model Engineering Society.
The train usually runs on a Sunday from 1pm to 4pm with additional dates over the summer.
Visit Skeleton Records for your favourite tunes
Take a couple of hours to browse your favourite records or find something new. The first Skeleton Records opened in Argyle Street, Birkenhead, in 1972, and moved to a number of different locations in the town before setting up shop in a side-street off Oxton Road in 1994, where it has remained ever since.
It is the only bricks and mortar record shop left in Wirral, and one of only a handful in the whole of Merseyside. Every nook and cranny of the first floor shop is filled with mainly second-hand albums and singles, both on vinyl and CD.
Watch a new band at Future Yard
The music events venue opened on Argyle Street in Birkenhead in April 2021. It's a place where you can discover new bands and artists. There is also a kitchen, coffee shop and bar to enjoy.
Look at the animals at Tam O'Shanter Farm
The farm, off Boundary Road in Bidston, is home to a variety of animals including pigs, sheep, goats, chickens and geese. It's open every day except Christmas Day from 9.30am to 4.30pm and entry is free.
Have brunch a lunch at a garden centre or farm shop
Wirral has some lovely lunch, brunch or just cake and a coffee at a Wirral garden centre. Go to Gordale in Neston, Carr Farm in Moreton or Claremont Farm in Bebington.
Have cocktails at Oxton Bar & Kitchen
The cocktail menu is a highlight of a visit to this fashionable independent bar in Oxton Village, which is packed out at the weekends. Go early to get a table.
Go for a drink in a historical village
Thornton Hough is a historic part of Wirral was formerly known as Toritone at the time of the Doomsday Book. The village’s present name was only established when the daughter of Roger de Thornton, the local landowner, married Richard de Hoghe during the reign of Edward II.
Today, the village is set in lush pastures and fine woodland. This historical part of Wirral is full of history and charm, where you can go for country walks, relax at one of its many tea shops, discover the cottages and fine buildings or have a relaxing drink in the pub
Watch a performance on the bandstand at Vale Park
The Magazine Lane park holds a variety of events throughout the summer, including concerts every Sunday. And, with a café and tearooms, there's no excuse not to visit in winter too.
Get lost in Brimstage Maize Maze
The maze is from 10.30am - 6pm from July, 16 through to September. The maze includes over half a million individual maize plants and three miles of pathways.
Have a walk around West Kirby Marine Lake
Set on the very tip of the Peninsula with stunning views of the Welsh Hills and the Dee Estuary, this man-made saltwater lake is 52 acres in size, 5ft deep and totally enclosed.
It is regarded as one of the best spots in the country for wind surfing because of the strong breezes coming in from the Irish Sea.
Have a night out that starts and ends in Wirral
Ditch your Liverpool plans and stay on one side of the river for the night. The Beach and Cool Room in Birkenhead are still going strong, as is the Cotton Club nearby for over 30s. And there's plenty of choice in West Kirby, Hoylake and Heswall.
Go for a run or bike ride along the prom
There's no better way to appreciate the beauty of Wirral than to combine your run or cycle ride with stunning views.
Eat at Merseyside's only Wimpy
The fast food chain is still serving up breakfasts and burgers at Princes Pavement in Birkenhead.
Have a day at the seaside in New Brighton or West Kirby
Need we say more? Probably best to save this one for the summer...
Walk or climb up Thor's stone in Thurstaston
Romantic and fantastical stories surround this massive sandstone outcrop, including tales of Vikings and sacrifice. We can't advise you to etch your name in the rock, but many have.
Go to Ness Gardens
The 64-acre gardens were founded in 1898 by Arthur Kilpin Bulley, a Liverpool cotton merchant with a passion for gardens, and are now owned by the University of Liverpool.
Take the Mersey tunnels tour..
Journey deep under the Mersey with these regular tours of the tunnels. Find out more by calling 0151 330 4504 or email tours@merseytravel.gov.uk
Run through one in the Mersey Tunnel Run
The 10k run takes place every year and sees runners going from Blackstock Street in Liverpool city centre, through the Wallasey tunnel to Seacombe and the finish line in New Brighton.
Have a drink at the Lazy Landlord
Blink and you'd miss the Lazy Landlord on Mill Lane, Wallasey, a micro pub selliing real ale from local microbreweries.
Visit Eastham and Eastham Country Park
Eastham Country Park has spectacular views across the Mersey estuary and there are some great places for a drink or a bite to eat in Eastham village, including the Montgomery, The Tap and Eastham Ferry Hotel.
Go to a scare attraction in Wirral
Church Farm in Thurstaston also offers a range of spooky Halloween activities. This includes a spooky themed farm experience with pumpkin picking, puppet shows and more.
See a film at the Light Cinema in New Brighton
This eight-screen digital cinema opened in December 2011. It was the second Light cinema to open after the first in the independent chain in Halle, Germany.
Walk through Hamilton Square on a summer's day
This beautiful part of Birkenhead is the only surviving realised portion o f a grand design for Birkenhead set out in 1825 by architect James Gillespie Graham.
Go to Hadlow Station
Take a trip back in time in Willaston, where the station building at Hadlow Road has been lovingly restored to appear as it did in the 1950s. In the early 1970s, the route became the Wirral Way.
Appreciate some art at the Williamson Art Gallery
The gallery, on Slatey Road on the edge of Oxton, provides space to display masterpieces, ceramics, and sculptures and houses the largest public collection of Della Robbia pottery in the UK.
Have a day out in Port Sunlight
Built at the end of the 19th century, the garden village was originally built as a home for workers at the nearby Lever factory. Visit the Lady Lever Art Gallery and the Port Sunlight Museum and Garden Village or just marvel at the Grade II listed houses.
Visit Wirral Transport Museum and ride on a vintage tram..
Wirral Tramway and Transport Museum is situated in Taylor Street in Birkenhead and the tram line runs from Woodside Ferry to the museum.
Have a beer from a Wirral brewery
Brimstage Brewery was established in October 2006 and was the first brewery in operation in Wirral since the closure of Birkenhead Brewery in the mid 60s. You can also have a drink from Peerless Brewing, an award winning microbrewery based in Birkenhead.
And the Glen Affric in Birkenhead right next to the tunnel. It is an award-winning craft brewery producing an eclectic range of beers for the modern palate
Go to Gallagher's pub and barbers for a drink
Next to Hamilton Square station, this is a real ale pub with a twist, offering proper pints and haircuts.
Journey to the stars at Eureka! Science + Discovery
Learn about space and science at Eureka! Science + Discovery in Seacombe, which features themed galleries and interactive hands-on exhibits.
Go to Leasowe Lighthouse
The 18th Century lighthouse is open for guided tours on the first and third Sundays of each month. The lighthouse is open between 12pm and 4pm, though the last tour is 3:30pm. Find out more.
Have frozen yoghurt in Hoylake
The frozen yoghurt craze took a while to reach Wirral, but you can find this healthier alternative to ice cream at the Yog Bar on Market Street. You can have a topping of fruit or choose from a naughtier collection of sweet treats including chocolate brownies and Oreo cookies.
Go crabbing in New Brighton
It's a traditional British seaside activity and you don't need to be an expert fisherman.
Go skiing at the Oval
Believe it or not, you can go skiing in Wirral - at the dry ski slope at the Oval sports centre in Bebington. All levels of skiers are welcome to join the Oval ski club and complete beginners can attend lessons during the ski season.
Buy a book from Linghams
The West Kirby shop is now closed but Linghams' Heswall store has gone from strength to strength, with events including book signings, a book club and storytime for children.
Spend a few hours at the New Palace & Adventureland
Owned by the Wilkie family, the New Palace and Adventureland offers traditional seaside fun in New Brighton, including an indoor play area, outdoor funfair and family arcade.
Go shopping at Brimstage Hall Courtyard
A world away from the high street, you'll find a collection of independent shops here, including a florist, clothes shop, and even a war games miniatures shop.
Port Sunlight River Park
Created on a former landfill site, the park offers fantastic views of the Liverpool skyline
Go to the Secret Gardens of Oxton
Discover gardens of every size and type in this lovely annual event organised by the Oxton Society, which has raised thousands of pounds for charity over the years.
Go shopping in Cheshire Oaks
Just off the M53, where Wirral meets Cheshire you'll find this outlet village, which features big name brands at discounted prices, including Nike, Ralph Lauren, Dr Martens and The North Face.
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