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Itinerary: Liverpool with Kids

August 13, 2016


We’re on a Beat Bugs kick over here, have you caught an episode or two yet? If you’re not familiar, it’s a children’s show on Netflix that centers around classics by The Beatles. It’s super cute — Sia’s cover of Blackbird gives me full body chills every time. 

We went to Liverpool in the spring and I was mostly excited for Tyler since so many planned activities were things he’s specifically into (like The Beatles, photography, and soccer). I was a smidgeon concerned that we had packed too many things into our schedule, especially with a toddler, but it wound up being one of my absolute favorite spots of the trip!

Here’s a whole mess of photos, a sample itinerary if you make it out that way (you should), and a hotel suggestion that will knock your socks off.

11 a.m. Liverpool FC Stadium Tour

Anfield, Liverpool - TheFebruaryFox.comAnfield, Liverpool - TheFebruaryFox.com Anfield, Liverpool - TheFebruaryFox.com Anfield, Liverpool - TheFebruaryFox.com Anfield, Liverpool - TheFebruaryFox.com Anfield, Liverpool - TheFebruaryFox.com Anfield, Liverpool - TheFebruaryFox.com Anfield, Liverpool - TheFebruaryFox.com Anfield, Liverpool - TheFebruaryFox.com I blogged about this stop here. In short, Anfield Stadium is the home of Liverpool Football Club and provides a thrilling experience for the whole family. You’re taken to multiple parts of the venue and end with a museum that’s moving to say the very least. Fox’s favorite part? Watching the two guys with hand mowers trim the lawn. Go figure!

 1 p.m. The Beatles Story

The Beatles Story - TheFebruaryFox.comThe Beatles Story - TheFebruaryFox.comThe Beatles Story - TheFebruaryFox.com The Beatles Story - TheFebruaryFox.comThe Beatles Story - TheFebruaryFox.com The Beatles Story - TheFebruaryFox.com The Beatles Story - TheFebruaryFox.com The Beatles Story - TheFebruaryFox.comFrom Anfield, drive 15 minutes south to find yourself at The Beatles Story — a must-visit when heading to Liverpool. You’ll find yourself “underwater” in a yellow submarine, outside the gates of Strawberry Field, and eye-to-eye with Beatles memorabilia spanning decades. Major stimulation for the eyeballs and ears! The attraction is paired with an audio tour that you take at your own pace. When you’re nearing the end, you’ll find the Fab4 Cafe which is another great location for parents to break since it’s directly next to the children’s discovery area. I indulged in a quiet cup of tea and Tyler took Fox to play and when I finished, Tyler grabbed an Americano while Fox and I colored a picture of John Lennon. We also played piano with our feet and sung along to my favorite Beatles tune, Norwegian Wood. Don’t forget to grab a pair of Lennon specs from the gift shop for a cute kiddo photo op!

2:30 p.m. Merseyside Maritime Museum/Albert Dock

Liverpool UK Liverpool UK Liverpool UK  Liverpool UK

Liverpool UKThe Merseyside Maritime Museum is the perfect spot to grab lunch after a 5-minute walk from The Beatles Story, whether you pack a picnic or grab a table at their cafe or dining room. Once bellies are full and bathroom breaks are made, the whole family is free to check out exhibits focusing on Liverpool’s connection with the ill-fated Titanic, the Old Dock (only Tuesdays and Wednesdays, pre-booked), and model ships. Don’t miss the Sea Urchins portion of the museum if you have children under 5 — you’ll find a free area for kids to play dress-up, fill out activity sheets, and read stories. 

Cruise the dock on your way out. It’s an ideal place for a game of I Spy! 

4 p.m. Merseyside Ferry

The Mersey Ferry takes riders to various parts of Liverpool, but we chose to do a full loop starting at Pier Head. There’s audio that plays throughout the vessel giving the history of the area, while the waves will be sure to put little ones down for a nap. There are many different areas on the ferry, so chances are you can get a spot to yourself. We had the room alone on our 4 p.m. boarding, which happened to be the last of the day. Not only was this cruise interesting, but it’s a great spot to get a rest, reflect on the city, and put up your weary feet. There’s also an offshoot of The Beatles Story on the Pier Head once you return to continue learning if you so wish.

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6:30 p.m. Liverpool Cathedral* (Late hours on Thursdays)

Although the Liverpool Cathedral is open daily, Thursdays offer twilight hours which happens to be a wonderful time for photography. If you can swing a Thursday in Liverpool, add this to your itinerary later in the day. There is one hitch: even though this is a must-visit for parents, I don’t suggest bringing small children up the cathedral. After taking a couple elevators, you’ll find yourself climbing numerous stairs without a great deal of wall between you and a large drop, so as soon as we saw that I turned around with Fox to get some fresh air on the benches outside and gave Tyler the first turn. I’m horrified of heights, but I always push the limits on vacations. It’s always worth it.

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7:30 p.m. Strawberry Field + Penny Lane

If you’re interested in seeing the famed locations of Strawberry Field and Penny Lane, now is the time to do it. We stayed in the car and did a quick rubberneck which left us completely satisfied. Especially with Strawberry Field, there are few locations to pull off to see and motorists seemed a bit ticked at those who attempted to stop in the road.

Liverpool UK Liverpool UK Liverpool UKIt’s worth it to mention that if you’re traveling with kiddos, Liverpool is a spot for strollers and comfy shoes! Every building we went into was stroller accessible with lifts, ramps, or supervised places to drop your stroller momentarily. If we didn’t bring Fox’s stroller we would have had very sore arms and nowhere to stash our cool new souvenirs. 

Now, the hotel. Do yourself a favor and book a room at 30 James Street. This historic building is the former home of the White Star Line HQ — a pioneer shipping line offering inexpensive options for those who wished to emigrate from Europe to the U.S. or Canada, one of their most famous vessels being the RMS Titanic. This hotel is Titanic themed in the most beautiful way from top to bottom; in fact, when the building was being renovated many materials found were repurposed into hotel fixtures.

The room itself was so cozy and came with a balcony for a stellar view. We were within walking distance to shops and restaurants which came in handy during soccer season!

Liverpool UK Liverpool UK Liverpool UK Liverpool UK Liverpool UKLiverpool UK Liverpool UKLiverpool UK Liverpool UK Liverpool UK Liverpool UKEnjoy your trip!

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Sending a hearty thank you to 30 James Street and Visit Liverpool for hosting my family on our trip. As you can tell, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!

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1 Comment

  • Reply Jone Martin March 13, 2024 at 3:15 am

    Liverpool is a football club. I could not attend the match due to some remaining, The next day I read your post completely.

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