Things to do on the Wirral

Maja Lorkowska, Exhibitions Editor

The Wirral is just on the other side of the Mersey but the pace of life is considerably slower, amongst its picturesque houses and sea views. Culture though, never slows down – there are plenty of art galleries, music venues and literary spots to visit, with more popping up all the time. It’s an area to watch and already becoming the place to be for emerging creatives with a growing community and interesting opportunities. Visit the Priory, stop at the at the Williamson and finish your day with a gig and pint at Future Yard.

Our top picks

Lady Lever Art Gallery

Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight Village, Wirral, CH62 5EQ - Visit now

Worth a detour from Liverpool, Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight is a fantastic gallery with one of the UK’s finest art collections.

Williamson Art Gallery

Williamson Art Gallery, Slatey Road, Birkenhead, CH43 4UE - Visit now

One of the Wirral’s hidden gems, Williamson Art Gallery and Museum is an art gallery and museum situated in Birkenhead,

Williamson Art Gallery
Image courtesy of Williamson Art Gallery

Future Yard

Future Yard, 75 Argyle Street, Birkenhead, CH41 6AB - Visit now

The Wirral’s most exciting music venue, Future Yard provide a stage for national, international and emerging artists, support local talent and provide educational programmes for musicians starting out in the industry. As well as being a great gig venue, they serve great drinks and sustainable pizza.

A 350-capacity space, permanent live music venue at 75 Argyle Street. This community venue will bring some of today’s most exciting new national and international artists to Wirral, while at the same time providing key early performance opportunities for emerging local musicians.
Courtesty of Future Yard

Lake Gallery

Lake Gallery, 52 Grange Road, West Kirby, Wirral , CH484EF - Visit now

Visit Lake Gallery, an artist-run space in West Kirby, showcasing fine art and contemporary craft in regularly changing exhibitions.

exhibition
istock.com/ArtWager

Birkenhead Priory

Birkenhead Priory, Priory Street, Birkenhead, Merseyside, CH41 5JH - Visit now

Birkenhead Priory’s history includes royalty, the birth of a city, and a religious life – a gateway to understanding the Wirral.

Birkenhead Priory
Courtesy of Birkenhead Priory

Hamilton Vault Studios

Hamilton Vault Studios, 1 Hamilton Square , Birkenhead , CH41 6AU - Visit now

A disused bank vault now conceals a unique gallery space and filming location, championing local creatives and their vision.

exhibition
istock.com/real444

Birkenhead Central Library

Birkenhead Central Library, Borough Road Birkenhead , Wirral, CH41 2XB - Visit now

Birkenhead Central Library provides books and resources, and welcomes everyone to their community hub in a stunning, historic location.

literature
istock.com/morgan23

MerseyMade West Kirby

MerseyMade West Kirby, Chancery House, 98 Paradise Street, Liverpool, L1 3HJ - Visit now

Find gifts for friends, family and, of course, yourself at this artist hub for local creatives. The perfect place to find a Wirral souvenir.

The MerseyMade building in Liverpool
Image courtesy of MerseyMade

What's on in Liverpool

A sculpture of a flower, lit with a purple and green animation. To the right of the sculpture is a red, floating circle.
Until
ExhibitionsLiverpool
Cosmotechnics at FACT

‘Cosmotechnics’ at FACT brings together Latin American artists to reconsider our relationships with both technology and the natural world.

free entry
Image by Stephen McCoy, from River to River project
Until
ExhibitionsWaterfront
Proximity at Open Eye Gallery

Stephen McCoy has spent 45 years living, working, and photographing on Merseyside. “Proximity” explores his deep connection with the people and places of the region, tracing the development of his photographic practice over the decades.

free entry
Two people sitting playing a video game.
Until
ExhibitionsCity Centre
Art Plays Games at FACT

Art Plays Games is a new show at FACT, celebrating games created by digital artists and independent video game developers.

free entry
Until
ActivityManchester
Floating Art Workshops

Join expert teacher Ula for relaxed painting workshops that will have you creating work you can be proud of, no matter your level of artistic experience.

from £24.30
Until
ActivityLiverpool
Old Dock Tours, Liverpool

The Old Dock tour is a treat for younger and older visitors alike, fans of Liverpool’s maritime past, and anybody curious about local history.

£8.50 with concessions
A black and white photograph of breezeblocks from above arranged to look like a street view from above
Until
ExhibitionsLiverpool
Brickworks at Tate Liverpool

Tate Liverpool gathers works from the collection focused on the humble brick, in a new show ‘Brickworks’ at its temporary home of RIBA North.

free entry

Where to go in Liverpool

food and drink
Liverpool
Restaurant
Manifest

Manifest is a casual fine dining restaurant and wine bar in the Baltic Triangle, serving seasonal dishes and delicious wines from small scale producers.

food and drink
Liverpool
Restaurant
Sanskruti

Sanskruti is a vegetarian and vegan Indian restaurant, serving an array of fresh, brightly coloured dishes in Liverpool’s Business District.

food and drink
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Brass Monkey

Brass Monkey is a quirky bar with swings serving delicious drinks, tucked away down a quiet street in the centre of Liverpool.

food and drink
Liverpool
Restaurant
The Botanical Gin Garden

The Botanical Gin Garden is a seasonal outdoor gin bar, open six months a year, serving a wide selection of delicious gin drinks.

food and drink
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Cafe Tabac

Cafe Tabac is the longest running café bar in Liverpool, serving food and drinks to arty locals and curious newcomers.

food and drink
City Centre
Bar or Pub
McGuffie’s

Formerly a vintage chemist, McGuffie’s is a cosy cocktail bar located in a historic venue on Liverpool’s Castle Street.

record shop
Liverpool
Shop
Dead Air Records

Dead Air Records is a vinyl shop in Liverpool, offering a perfectly curated selection of records and a friendly space for music lovers.

City Centre
Shop
Root House Plants

The ultimate destination for seasoned plant lovers and beginners alike, Root sell a wide selection of gorgeous houseplants.

shop
Liverpool
Shop
Resurrection

Resurrection is a long-established clothes shop, selling quirky items from both larger and niche brands to Liverpool’s fashion lovers.

food and drink
Liverpool
Restaurant
Mahoe Blue

Mahoe Blue is a bar and bistro that serves authentic Jamaican food in a cosy venue in South Liverpool.

music 2
City Centre
Music venue
Rough Trade

The largest of Rough Trade stores, it’s record shop, event space and concert venue in the heart of Liverpool, complete with its own gift shop

Liverpool Visitor Guides

Photo of upturned cocktail glasses
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Croxteth Hall and Country Park
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Spotlight on

Things to do in Blackpool

Fancy a day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.

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