Top Rated Parks to Visit in Skelmersdale

"Calderstones is filled with such a vast number of little pleasantries and surprises that you just can’t help but love it. Their Reader Café offers books for customers to read while eating, there are plenty of open spaces upon which to kick back and enjoy a beer, while the Storybarn - an interactive story-centre aimed at getting children to embrace a love of reading - is nothing short of inspired. There’s a model railway, too."

"It might be a little too chilly for a picnic, but Calderstones Park is a stunning 94-acre park in South Liverpool that’s great for a brisk walk!. The park was chosen as a WW2 hero dog’s resting place called Jet, with a monument to him in the park, aw. The monument has been in the park since 1949 and can still be found today, giving you a great opportunity to do some exploring."

"Founded in 1917, this large green space - part botanical garden and part wildlife habitat - is an engaging contrast to the busy city center. There are numerous walking trails on the property, as well as regular guided "health" walks. Popular things to do here include enjoying a stroll or picnic, or opting for more strenuous activities, such as tennis, rugby, or football."

"Named after Mr. Fletcher Moss (who donated the park’s grounds to the city), these Botanical Gardens are part plant showcase, part wildlife habitat, and part recreational facility. The plant life here is renowned for its beauty, and contains several unusual varieties. Some of the older specimens have grown there since the foundation of the park a full century ago."

"The first publicly funded park in Britain, Birkenhead Park opened in 1847 as an architectural landscape of cultivated woodland, meadows, and lakes. Birkenhead Park has a wonderful family tree in the shape of New York’s Central Park, which was greatly influenced by this inspirational setting, and as you take a stroll and encounter listed buildings, lodges, the Swiss Bridge, and a Pavilion, called the Roman Boathouse, which stands by the lake, you’ll discover why. Further details here"

"Birkenhead lies on the west side of the Mersey and is linked to Liverpool by tunnels and the excellent Mersey Ferry service. Near the tunnel are the ruins of a 12th-century Benedictine abbey with a chapterhouse, crypt, and refectory. Birkenhead Park, the first publicly funded park in Britain, opened in 1847 and has three entrances with Gothic, Italianate, and Norman architecture, as well as two lakes and an ornate bridge."

"Designed by Sir Joseph Paxton, Birkenhead Park is acknowledged as the first publicly funded park in the world having first opened in 1847 and influened the design of New York's Central Park. Alongside the beautiful architecture and lush green spaces there is an adventure playground, tennis courts, bowling greens and football pitches. A great place to head to on a trip over the water to the Wirral."

"If you’re living in Kensington or campus halls of residence, this one may be ideal for you if you’re fancying a stroll away from the craziness of your flatmates, even just to clear your head for a while. While perhaps not the biggest or best park on this list, Wavertree Botanic Gardens is a hidden gem on the way out of Liverpool, just next to the innovation park, and just a 20-minute walk from the campus. In first year, I found an early morning walk to the botanic gardens the perfect way to start my day when I needed motivating."

"Head to the Botanical Garden in the Baltic Triangle for some gin garden selfies when it opens in March. Sit on one of the benches or the grass bleachers and enjoy a gin cocktail in the glorious sunshine. If the weather takes a bit of a turn jump into the shed to keep yourself out of the rain."

"New Bird Street oasis, Botanical Garden is a green space dedicated to the appreciation of Gin. Yes, we know it’s winter and this venue is currently closed, but how could we not include it in a guide to Gin?!. We are counting down the days until its return in spring 2020."

"One of Manchester’s most beautiful spots for Japanese food, subterranean venue Australasia is much-loved for its incredible Australian dishes, infused with Japanese and Indonesian influences. Think oysters, Sashimi and Tempura dishes – with Teriyaki beef rump dishes, octopus and many more fresh fish offerings. The menu is absolutely huge, with a wide variety of Nigiri, Tempura, Sashimi and California Rolls to choose from if sushi’s what you’re after."

"Find the glass pyramid and find one of Manchester's most luxurious restaurants. A haven of white washed wood and a seriously chic take on beach style, Australasia is inspired by Down Under, with a menu that leans towards Japan with sushi and steaks."

"Australasia (1 The Avenue), a glam subterranean bar-restaurant goes on late and gets busy. Visit pre-dinner to enjoy a rose and lychee martini. Check out our full review of Australasia here…"

"The Royal Exchange Theatre was founded in 1976 by a group of renowned and influential artistic directors who had a vision to make an internationally recognised theatre amidst the vibrant culture of Manchester. The theatre’s repertoire has featured brilliant adaptations of the classics from William Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, Oscar Wilde, Noel Coward, and Anton Chekhov, as well as lists of debut plays. One of the country’s leading theatres for new writing, the Royal Exchange Theatre offers fantastic programmes for emerging practitioners and educational facilities."

"As far as theatrical experiences go, nothing comes close to the thrill of catching a live show. Be it a drama, a comedy act, a musical, Shakespeare or some combination of them all, Manchester’s thriving arts scene make it one of the best places to take in theatre. The Royal Exchange building and its theatre have survived a lot, having been badly damaged during both World War II and the Manchester bombing in 1996."

"Liverpool Everyman Theatre, 5-9 Hope Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 9BH - Visit now. The Everyman reopened in March 2014 after extensive renovation to its stage, restaurant and backstage areas; the newly opened version is sustainable, accessible and really rather swish. Inclusiveness runs through the new design – its frontage, dominated by a new “portrait wall”, shows 105 different Liverpool residents, cut into a metal facade."

"Founded in 1964, the Everyman Theatre has been bringing groundbreaking talent to Hope Street for over half a decade. The stage for early performances from Julie Walters, Bill Nighy and Bernard Hill, this venue is steeped in history – the building itself won the 2014 RIBA Stirling Prize for architecture. Showing a range of plays from classic Shakespeare to brand new material, a show at the Everyman is not to be missed."

"Manchester Opera House is the Palace Theatre’s little sister. It’s located on Quay Street, near Spinningfields. It is smaller than the Palace theatre however, there are still some amazing productions to see here."