Liverpool
Let Loose: 10 Free Fun Things to Do in Liverpool for Adults
Let Loose: 10 Free Fun Things to Do in Liverpool for Adults
Located in the north west of England next to the River Mersey, Liverpool is a city that has a rich history and culture. It was founded in 1207 by King John of England, who gave it its name. Liverpool is now one of the most important economic centres in the country with an urban population of over 800,000 people. The city's famous buildings include St George's Hall, Pier Head Building, and many others down the historic Albert Dock. There are many attractions for tourists to enjoy such as The Walker Art Gallery and World Museum among others making it the seventh most visited city in the U.K.
In this blog post we:
- List the best places to visit for no charge at all
- Show all places on an interactive map to help you locate each place easily.
Liverpool is a vibrant city with plenty of things to do for adults of all ages including students who may be looking for a couple of free options (I've been there before). There are free-to-enter museums like The Museum of Liverpool and the World Museum or if you fancy some time outdoors, Sefton Park, or Crosby Beach (a short ride away).
Updated and correct as of 14/12/23.
The table above lists the thing in Liverpool to do for free. Click on the name of each place to be taken to the area of the blog post for that place!
Quick Heading Links
Museums and Galleries
Museum of Liverpool
Museum of Liverpool
The Museum of Liverpool is the newest museum in the city, and it is an excellent addition. It’s easy to see why this museum has generated so much interest from locals as well as tourists. The exhibits are interactive and engaging for adults, children, families, and individuals alike. They explore aspects of Liverpool's history from trade to fashion to music with lots of hands-on activities that make learning fun! Visitors can explore how the city's port, its people, and their creative and sporting history have shaped the city.
Victoria Gallery and Museum
An incredible collection of curiosities from the 127-year history of the University of Liverpool is on display here. They offer a varied mixture of permanent displays and changing exhibitions. You'll see galleries showcasing historic and contemporary art and explore the University’s heritage collections of scientific, medical, and natural history housed in the magnificent Tate Hall museum.
Merseyside Maritime Museum
Merseyside Maritime Museum brings Liverpool’s nautical history to life. There is plenty to see with the Life at Sea display which tells the story of the merchant navy. Children and and families can learn about Liverpool's role in The Battle of the Atlantic during World War Two and within the building are a further two museums with the National Museum of the UK Border Force found in the basement and the International Slavery Museums on the third floor.
World Museum
The World Museum is one of the UK's leading visitor attractions and has been a place to come and learn about different cultures since it was first opened in 1853. Discover millions of years of the world's history through thousands of exhibits and hands-on activities. The galleries let you experience ancient civilisations and far away continents. The award winning Clore Natural History Centre lets you discover wonders of the natural world and the Ancient Egypt gallery takes you back in time to discover life among the pharaohs of the past.
Walker Art Gallery
For 130 years the Walker Art Gallery has housed Liverpool’s most outstanding art collection. The history of the gallery and its collection reflects the people of Liverpool’s commitment to and appreciation of the arts. The gallery closed in 1999 for major refurbishment and reopened its doors again in 2002 inviting visitors year on year to view its collections. Free entry to the gallery with exhibitions commanding a small fee.
History and Culture
Liverpool Cathedral
The Liverpool Cathedral is one of the most famous landmarks in England. It has been around for centuries and has an interesting history that you may not know much about. The Cathedral is Britain's largest and the 5th largest in Europe and is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building. The cathedral is free to enter, however, the tower and audio tour are not. It is highly recommended though with the price of tickets for an adult at £4.50. Dining options are available at the cathedral with two restaurants on site.
Sudley House
Sudley House is a historic Victorian era home which is now open as an exhibit space available for public tours. The house is part of National Museums Liverpool and is where you can experience the magnificent art collection of Victorian merchant ship owner George Holt. The house forms the only merchant art collection in the UK still in its original setting and displays masterpieces from artists such as Millais, Rossetti, Romney, and Gainsborough. George's daughter Emma Holt, died in 1944 and left the house and its paintings to the people of Liverpool to be enjoyed by the locals and visitors alike.
Walks and Nature Trails
The Pier Head
The Pier Head
The iconic skyline of The Pier Head is dominated by early 20th-century monumental buildings known as the Three Graces, which are The Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building, and The Port of Liverpool Building. The area has been transformed into a vibrant and memorable contemporary public space and achieved World Heritage Status in 2008. Spend some time walking around the waterfront and the new promenade which has been key to the revitalisation of the area, making it an inviting place to visit and enjoy magnificent views. At night, there are plenty of shops and restaurants to keep anyone busy for hours!
Palm House at Sefton Park
Sefton Park
Sefton Park is arguably the best known and most loved by locals. Classified as a Grade One listed park by English Heritage, the 200-acre Park looks like a natural landscape rather than a man-made park. This magnificent park is a Grade 1 historic park in the Sefton Park district of Liverpool. It is a Green Flag and Green Heritage awarded site with beautiful features and monuments. Amongst the park's many features are a boating lake and replica statues of Eros and Peter Pan. Inside the park is the Palm House which hosts a botanical collection of over 200 plants from 5 different continents.
Cast iron figure on Crosby Beach
Crosby Beach
Crosby Beach most known for its Antony Gormley sculptures, brings tourists to the area due to the artwork being a significant landmark in the North West for years. The artwork, entitled ‘Another Place’, is made up of 100 cast iron figures and was originally intended to be displayed at locations around the world. This project ended up happening over ten years ago as it was too expensive to transport all of the pieces from one country to another. The sculptures are arranged so they look like they are walking towards the sea with their backs turned on land- this creates an eerie feeling that attracts many visitors each year who want to experience something different.
Map
Use the map below to locate all the fun things to do in Liverpool for adults mentioned above, to create your itinerary for your trip. We've also added restaurants and cafes that provide food at a reasonable cost!
Open Google Maps to see distance information between locations and directions on how to get to each place.
Other Blog Posts From Liverpool
We write lots of blog posts from each area of free activities to do. Have a look at our blog posts from the city of Liverpool by clicking the links below:
Please note...
All outdoor activities including walking involve a degree of risk. The walks are recommended due to the features of each forest but this may change over time and further research is required before undertaking any activity. The weather can also impact the surface and general conditions of each path so please keep yourself updated with the weather forecast before setting off to enjoy your walk!