Mersey Ferries
The region's most popular paid-for tourist attraction - and the ideal way to discover the area's unique flavour and attractions. Regular services link Liverpool's Pier Head, Seacombe and Birkenhead's Woodside. The 50-minute round trip River Explorer cruise offers unrivalled estuary views plus a lively commentary. Call 0151 330 1444 for timetable and ticket sales. Also Manchester Ship Canal cruises on selected dates between April and September. 0151 330 1444. (pay)
James Street, Hamilton Square
(pay) WC

Woodside Visitor and Tourist
Information Centre
Attractive restaurant and souvenir shop within the Mersey Ferries terminal. Open-air activities in summer. 0151 647 6780.
Hamilton Square
(pay) WC

Riverfront promenade Wirral
From Seacombe you can walk or cycle on the promenades right round to Hoylake at the mouth of the Dee. You could then return to New Brighton by Merseyrail.

Seacombe Aquarium
Discover the unknown world under the Mersey. The improved water quality means that today even salmon, squid, octopus and lumpfish can be found in the estuary. Also unusual species picked up by local fishermen. 0151 630 1030.
WC

Spaceport
An interactive journey into space and beyond for the whole family. Based next to the Seacombe ferry terminal. 0151 330 1333. www.spaceport.org.uk.
WC

Birkenhead Park
Created by Sir Joseph Paxton and recently restored, this was Britain's first public park and the model for New York's Central Park. Landscaped with two lakes, one with a picturesque Swiss Bridge.
Birkenhead Park

Hamilton Square
Exciting regenerated area with cafés, art galleries and Wirral Museum. Located near to Woodside ferry terminal. 0151 666 5023.
Hamilton Square
WC

Birkenhead Priory
Merseyside's oldest building which dates from the 12th century and displays the history of the monks who founded the original Mersey ferry service.
Hamilton Square

Riverfront promenade Otterspool, Liverpool
Superb Estuary views and always popular with walkers, cyclists and anglers. From here you can follow the riverfront for five miles to Aigburth and beyond.
Brunswick, St Michaels, Aigburth

Liverpool Watersports Centre
Expert tutoring in canoeing, sailing and windsurfing in the docks. Contact MCVR Merseysport 0151 708 9322.
James Street, Brunswick

Liverpool parks
Calderstones and Sefton Park with its magnificent Grade II* listed Victorian Palm House are among the most spacious and attractive along with Stanley Park, Newsham Park, and Wavertree Botanic Park.

Croxteth Hall and country park
500 acres of woodland and parkland. Historic hall has a unique Victorian walled garden plus a working farm with rare breed animals. Free admission to park only. Cafe. Adventure playground. Picnics. Buses from city centre.
WC

Garden Festival site
The site of the 1984 International Garden Festival is due to be reopened in 2008 as a public park, with associated residential development overlooking the river. This last remaining UK Garden Festival location will offer a unique waterside parkland landscape within easy reach of the city centre. The original Oriental, Chinese and Japanese Gardens will be restored in the initial stages. The rest of the site will be laid to informal park featuring woodland sculptures, with parking giving access to the waterfront. Later stages will provide play areas and visitor facilities.
St. Michaels

Bidston Hill
100 acres of woodland and heath with panoramic views of the Estuary. Attractions include Bidston windmill and the Tam o'Shanter urban farm. 0151 653 9332.

Port Sunlight Vision - Heritage Centre
Unique Victorian garden village built by William Hesketh Lever for his soap factory workers. Heritage trail plus gardens and the Lady Lever Art Gallery, a nationally important collection of paintings and pottery. 0151 644 6466.
Port Sunlight
WC