The Great Northern Giant Sandpit

Shekina Rose, Families Editor
Great Northern Sandpit
The Great Northern

13 July 2023 — 31 August 2024 Entrance is free — Visit now

Are you looking for a fun and free day out with your family? Want a trip to the beach but it’s just a bit too far to travel? Or perhaps you have shopping to do in the city centre and you also want to find an activity to keep the kids happy?

Head to the Great Northern Playhouse this summer, where you’ll find a family-friendly space providing a creative, safe environment for young people to enjoy. Completely outdoors, the Playhouse is a perfect place to go on a sunny day.

One of the main features at the Great Northern is the popular Great Northern Sandpit, located in the basin of the amphitheatre. With its 50 tonnes of soft sand, wooden logs, buckets and spades for digging and building amazing sandcastles, here, you can expect hours and hours of free entertainment for children.

What’s even better, is while your child plays and has fun in the Great Northern Sandpit, it’s time for you to sit back and relax in the sun. Bring your tastiest sandwiches, crisps, biscuits (and fruit if you’re feeling healthy), and find a comfortable seat on one of the many colourful picnic benches dotted around the amphitheatre. Alternatively, you could also book onto one of Great Northern’s popular cafes and restaurants, including Almost Famous, All Star Lanes and Evuna.

After a long day of digging and playing in the sand, you could also head to the Great Northern cinema and see what family friendly films are available to watch with your little ones.

The Great Northern Sandpit is free and booking is not required.  Simply turn up, get your spades out, and have fun!

13 July 2023 — 31 August 2024 Entrance is free Visit now

Where to go near The Great Northern Giant Sandpit

hotel2
Hotel
Hilton Liverpool

The riverside location of Hilton Liverpool makes it one of the most centrally placed hotels in the city, close to the all attractions, big and small.

hotel
Baltic Triangle
Hotel
Maldron Hotel

The Maldron Hotel is perfectly located on the edge of the Baltic Triangle and offers comfortable stays and luxurious breakfasts.

hotel4
Liverpool
Hotel
The Halyard

The Halyard is one of Liverpool’s newest hotels, with top floor suites offering sweeping views of the city and delicious treats in the restaurant.

shop
Liverpool
Shop
COW Liverpool

Cow Liverpool is one of the city’s favourite vintage shops, with clothing, accessories and homeware in a spacious shop on Bold Street.

Liverpool
Shop
Pop Boutique Liverpool

Pop Boutique houses Vintage, clothing, homeware and vinyl. This bold street shop is in the centre of the ropewalks area of Liverpool which is fast becoming the indie centre of Liverpool.

cafe
Lark Lane
Café or Coffee Shop
Press Bros

Press Bros is one of Lark Lane’s best coffee spots, with coffee made from locally roasted beans and delicious breakfasts.

iStock.com/SimoneN
Deansgate
Hotel
Malmaison Manchester Deansgate

The building’s striking architecture combines classic brickwork with sleek, modern design elements, creating an inviting atmosphere that captures the essence of Manchester’s vibrant energy.

Manchester
Restaurant
Exhibition

Exhibition is an elegant dining hall on Peter Street, home to Jaan and other high-level independent kitchens.

An image of a large man made pool with fountains in front of a historic building with a clock tower
Bradford
Park
City Park

City park is Bradford’s brilliant multi-award winning outdoor public space, one of its highlights being The Mirror Pool — the largest urban water feature in the UK.

What's on: Families

Blackpool tower ballroom banner

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Documentary performance, groundbreaking dance, world premieres and fresh takes on classic works - check out our early theatre highlights for 2025.

Family things to do in the North

We might be past the holiday season, but Manchester and the North's arts and cultural calendar is still packed with brilliant events and activities for families

A man and a woman stood in front of a window at night look into each others' eyes
Cinema in the North

Hollywood greats and early bird film fest tickets are on our horizon as we start the New Year.

Music in the North

Warm, intimate storytelling is the thread connecting our new picks, which include a number of brilliant folk artists.

A sculpture of a dark brown dog looks to the right, hanging out of its middle and the back are what appears to be its insides (in cream) spilling out.
Exhibitions in the North

From genre-defying art film to vibrant embroidery and Surrealist sculpture, check out the best winter exhibitions to see right now.