A Guide to the Best Free Things to do in Liverpool England 2023
Are you wondering what the best free things to do in Liverpool are? A city that was once home to Britain’s second most important port (after London) is known worldwide for its music (The Beatles), football and insane nightlife. There are so many amazing free things to do in Liverpool that a traveller’s expectation will be met and exceeded. It is the UK’s fifth city and is easily reached with excellent connections by air, train, car and sea!
Did you know that Liverpool is the city with the most museums and galleries outside of London? Many of the best are free too! We dedicated a whole post to Manchester’s free museums, and Liverpool gives them a run for their money. Liverpool has played such an important part in world history and British history, and you can feel it as you walk through the city.
If you are searching for a weekend in Liverpool Guide – look no further – we have you covered in our Liverpool City Break Itinerary here.
14 Best Free Things to do in Liverpool – Liverpool’s Free Attractions
1. Get your bearings on a free walking tour of Liverpool
There are numerous free walking tours in Liverpool, and they are a great way to get your bearings and understand the city’s history. If you do not have much time but still want to see a lot, then a walking tour is for you. It is also one of our favourite ways to stay healthy whilst travelling.
Arguably, the best free walking tour in Liverpool is Sanderman’s, and they have a fantastic reputation because of the love of Liverpool shining through the local guides. You will learn that Liverpool was the most bombed city in WWII. The free tour begins at St George’s Hall and will take you to many of the top attractions, including the Town Hall, the Victoria Monument and St John’s Gardens.
Good to know: the tour will take roughly 3 hours and is available in English and Spanish. There is an expectation that you should tip what you can on this tour.
Remember to check the times of the Free Tour of Liverpool here.
Alternatively, you could go on a DIY tour of the city, to admire the beautiful architecture. It is easy to see why Liverpool is used for many blockbusters. There is something special about this great northern city!
2. Explore the Albert Dock Liverpool
A walk around the Liverpool Docks is sublime. The views of the impressive architecture, the River Mersey and the Royal Albert Docks area are unforgettable. This area of Liverpool has gone through much regeneration, which means a stroll around the area is one of the best free things to do in Liverpool.
Don’t forget to take pictures of the Three Graces of Liverpool – the Royal Liver Building, the Port of Liverpool and The Cunard Building. Did you know that these historic docks have the most extensive collection of Grade I Listed buildings in Britain? Pretty cool, right?
3. Take a Selfie with a Statue or Monument
There are plenty of statues dotted around Liverpool, so have your camera ready because you never know when you will see one or two. There are more public sculptures in Liverpool than in any other place in the UK outside of Westminster. We also love the Port of Liverpool Building.
Some of the best include:
- The iconic Beatles Statue near Pier Head, 2015
- The Cilla statue on Matthew Street , 2017
- The John Lennon Statue on Matthew Street
- The Peace and Harmony Monument, 2010
4. Sefton Park Palm House
We have grouped these as Palm House lies in the middle of Sefton Park. It is a Grade II listed Victorian building, and you can visit it every day of the week. Admission inside is free, but they do ask for a £2 donation.
There is a café here too, which is lovely. The park is beautiful and full of things to do for everyone, from a boating lake to a children’s play area and many open spaces. It is the perfect spot for a summer’s day picnic or an Autumnal Sunday walk. It is easily one of the best things to do in Liverpool for free.
5. The Merseyside Maritime Museum
Located in Albert Dock, a visit to the Maritime Museum is one of the best free things to do in Liverpool because it is your chance to get an insight into Liverpool’s port history and how important it is. You can cast your eyes on paintings, vessels and lots of exciting information. All for free!
The International Slavery Museum is on the third floor and is an excellent way to educate you on slavery in the past and present. There is so much to learn about the millions taken into the slave trade, and it can be a harrowing experience to learn about Liverpool’s involvement.
6.The Tate Art Gallery Liverpool
The Tate Liverpool has been at the docks for over 30 years and houses the most prominent national collection of modern art in the North of England. It is an exciting free Liverpool attraction because you can move at your own pace and discover and immerse yourself in the art. The exhibitions are set over three floors and are extremely popular. It is not the most significant art gallery, but it is exceptional and should be one of the free things you do in Liverpool.
7. Chinatown
Liverpool has the oldest Chinese community in Europe, and it shows in the impressive 15 metre arch in Chinatown. It was imported from Shanghai and then assembled in Liverpool. Walking around Chinatown is delightful, and many people love wandering around this free Liverpool attraction.
8. Museum of Liverpool
You can find the Museum of Liverpool at Pier Head on the Liverpool waterfront – a modern building made of glass and Liverpool’s newest museum. Here you can learn about the great city’s history, including music, football, transport, and the people. It is easily one of the best free things to do in Liverpool.
The displays are among the best in the UK, and the view of the Three Graces at the top window is phenomenal. It won ‘best window with a view’.
Open: 10 am-6 pm Tuesdays to Sundays.
9. Admire the Bombed Out Church
Exploring the Bombed Out Church is a unique thing to do in Liverpool. After it was bombed in 1941 to be a place of peace in Liverpool city centre, it was bought by the council. It says on the tin ‘A Bombed Out Church’, with only its walls and tower remaining with its interior destroyed.
Its real name, though, is the Church of St Luke, and it is a loved attraction in the city. We love the sculpture of the Christmas day truce of 1914, where the Germans and British played football together. It is fitting for a city that loves football!
10. Liverpool’s Cathedrals
When you visit Liverpool, you should head to Hope Street to visit the Roman Catholic and the Anglican Cathedral. Admiring the cathedrals from the interior and the exterior is one of the best free things to do in Liverpool. You will see the grandness of the buildings and feel in awe. It is located on Hope Street, which was once the winner of the Academy of Urbanism’s best street award are the two iconic Cathedrals.
11. Window Shop
When you think of shopping, your mind probably goes to high street shops, so Liverpool One. However, the best streets for window shopping and people watching are Bold Street in the centre and Lark Lane near Sefton Park. Both are trendy and are full of independent shops and hipsters.
It is worth a look when you are in Liverpool. You can also browse the large indoor market in the Baltic Triangle. We loved the art work of Liverpool in here. It is a great spot!
12. Crosby Beach
Another popular free Liverpool attraction is to watch the sunset on Crosby Beach.
Crosby Beach is also the spot where you see Anthony Gormley’s Another Place statues of 100 iron men gaping out to sea. They are life-sized and are impressive, weighing 650 kilos, which means that it is a unique free thing to do in Liverpool. They are designed to explore man’s relationship with nature; what do you think?
Good to know: it is a non-bathing beach, and you should not walk out to see the furthest figures.
13. Experience Beatles Excitement
Calling all Beatles fans because you are in for a treat. The Beatles Story Museum may be out of your budget, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still get involved with the Beatles storey from where it all began.
Not only can you visit the statues, but you can see the Strawberry Field Gates, the Grave of Eleanor Rigby and John Lennon’s childhood home, the Penny Lane Road Sign and the Cavern Club. The highlights are the places in south Liverpool, where you can see the spots that the famous four got their lyrical inspiration. Magical. Tell us better free things to do in Liverpool – if you can.
14. Liverpool Central Library
One of the best free things to do in Liverpool is to head to Liverpool Central Library. We love libraries anyway, and the Picton Reading Room is beautiful and holds over 4 million items. However, the main attraction (besides the café) is the rooftop because of the impressive views!
The BBC said that the library is one of the most beautiful libraries globally, so it has to be on your list of free things to do in Liverpool. The BBC have said so!
We love visiting places that do not break the bank, and Liverpool was one of those places. You can do so many amazing things in Liverpool for free for everyone to feel involved.
After more inspiration for free things to do in Northern England’s cities?
Read our guides to:
Free things to do in Birmingham
Photo Credit: averagelives.com
