Explore off the beaten path with Liverpool's best hidden gems

Liverpool has a wealth of well-known tourist attractions and famous landmarks. Between its many art museums and great places to visit with the family, there's plenty to keep any visitor busy. For travelers who are looking for experiences a little more off the beaten path, the city has an equally rich variety of hidden gems and secret places. If you've seen the major sights and are looking for Liverpool's best-kept secrets, this guide to the top 10 hidden gems in Liverpool is for you.

Explore an underground WWII bunker, discover a fairy village, or see a sculpture installation on a beach. Discover a side to Liverpool few tourists ever get to see – you'll fall in love with the city through its secret places. Pack your bags for an adventure and get to know Liverpool in a completely new way.

1. Visit an eerie sculpture installation on a beach

On beautiful Crosby Beach, 100 life-sized bronze statues stand on the shore, staring out to sea as the tide laps around them. The Another Place sculpture installation by Antony Gormley is an otherworldly, sometimes eerie meditation on the subject of emigration, and one of the best hidden gems in Liverpool.

Highlights:

Visit at dusk for one of the finest sunsets to be seen anywhere in the country; Crosby Beach sunsets are colourful and dramatic.

Address:

Mariners Rd, Blundellsands, L23 6SX.

2. Explore the oldest Chinatown in Europe

Liverpool is twinned with Shanghai, and the city's Chinatown has a 15-meter Chinese arch to celebrate the relationship between the two cities. Liverpool's Chinatown is filled with hidden gems, including world-class restaurants and bakeries and Asian supermarkets filled with delicious treats.

Highlights:

Sing karaoke and eat outstanding Chinese and Szechuan food at ChinaCity

Address:

Lord Nelson St, L1 5EW.

3. Marvel at the Minton tiles of St George's Hall

The extraordinary tiled floor of St George's Hall is very literally a hidden gem for much of the year, as the tiles are covered over to protect them. They're extremely rare and well-preserved, and are uncovered at different times of the year, so check the St George's Hall website for dates.

Highlights:

The 30,000 intricate tiles depict the sea god Neptune, Liverpool's Liver Birds, sea nymphs, dolphins, and tridents.

Address and opening hours:

St George's Place, L1 1JJ. Open 9:30 AM-4:45 PM Monday-Thursday, 9:30 AM-5:00 PM Friday-Saturday.

4. Gaze in wonder at a fairy village

Just across the Mersey, on the Wirral, is the picturesque town of New Brighton. The area is home to an installation of Fairy Gardens in Vale Park. This enchanted spot off the beaten path has a tiny fairy village, a play area, and a memory garden. It's a great secret place to explore with young kids or on your own.

Highlights:

New Brighton is on a hill, and you can get spectacular views of Liverpool across the river. There's also an attractive beach where you can swim.

Address:

Vale Park, New Brighton, CH45 1LX.

5. Descend into a real-life underground WWII bunker

A hidden gem in the most literal sense of the word, the Western Approaches WWII Museum Ticket will grant you entry to a genuine World War II underground bunker, where you can see where people worked in secret against the Nazis.

Highlights:

The well-curated museum includes a recreation of life for Liverpool citizens during the Blitz.

Address and opening hours:

1-3 Rumford Street, L2 8SZ. Open daily 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

6. Play a round of crazy golf at Cains Brewery Village

Located in the center of the ultra-hip Baltic Triangle Quarter, Cains Brewery Village is an ex-industrial complex that is now home to some of the best bars, food spots, and nightlife in Liverpool.

Highlights:

Check out the Baltic Food Market for world-class street food, visit the Peaky Blinders Bar, or play a round of cocktail-fueled crazy golf at Golf Fang.

Address:

Stanhope St, L8 5XJ.

7. Enjoy an oasis of calm at St James Mount

Next to the magnificent Liverpool Cathedral, which is the largest religious building in Britain, you can find the hidden gem of St James Mount and Gardens, a public park and gardens including the former St James Cemetery, which was used for burials up until 1936.

Highlights:

The sunken cemetery gardens are a beautiful, calm spot to escape from the bustle of the city. Go early in the morning for a particularly peaceful atmosphere.

Address and opening hours:

Cathedral Gate, St James Rd, L1 7AZ. Open daily 5:00 AM-10:00 PM.

8. Visit a Victorian botanical glass house

Since opening in 1896, the Sefton Park Palm House has been one of Liverpool's favorite hidden places for locals. Home to an impressive range of tropical plants, a café, and a vibrant cultural space, this secret place in the heart of the city is a must-visit. Hop on a Beatles Magical Mystery Bus Tour to nearby Penny Lane, and take a detour to this hidden gem.

Highlights:

The Palm House regularly hosts events like craft sessions, choir practices, and poetry readings. Check the website's calendar to see what's on.

Address and opening hours:

Sefton Park, Liverpool L17 1AP. Open daily 10:00 AM-4:00 PM.

9. Have a pint in England's most ornate pub

Far from your average bar, the Philharmonic Dining Rooms pub, known affectionately as 'the Phil' by locals, is a true Liverpool institution. With its elaborate, ornate Art Nouveau interior, this hidden gem is well worth a visit.

Highlights:

The bar has the added claim to fame of being the Beatles' favorite bar; when asked what the price of fame was, Lennon famously said, "Not being able to have a pint in the Phil."

Address and opening hours:

36 Hope St, L1 9BX. Open 11:00 AM-11:00 PM Monday-Thursday, 11:00 AM-12:00 AM Friday-Saturday, 11:00 AM-10:30 PM Sunday.

10. Attend a concert in a roofless church

St Luke's Bombed Out Church is a casualty of the Blitz, having been bombed in 1941. It's since been transformed into an open-air cultural and community space with regular theater, music, dance, and poetry events. There's still no roof, so events occur mainly in the summer months.

Highlights:

The garden bar is one of the city's best hidden gems, with a relaxing atmosphere and tasty food and drinks.

Address:

Leece St, L1 2TR. Opening times vary.

FAQs

What are some lesser-known attractions in Liverpool that are worth visiting?

At Formby Beach, you can see the remains of some 10 shipwrecks at low tide, many of which have been there for decades or even centuries. On William Brown Street, near St George's Hall, many fossils are encrusted in rocks; some are estimated to be 280 million years old. If you're looking for a hidden gem for a drink, try the secret bar Ex-Directory, whose entry is hidden behind a phone box.

Are there any hidden or secret gardens in Liverpool that I can explore?

In the northwest corner of Speke Hall's grounds, you'll find The Secret Garden, a magical oasis of calm. The Festival Gardens are another hidden gem, with beautiful Japanese gardens, pagodas, and a Moon Wall.

Can you recommend any hidden or secret viewpoints in Liverpool with great views of the city?

One of Liverpool's best-kept secret places, Everton Brow is a beautiful park that's often overlooked. It offers unparalleled views of the Mersey and the city, and on clear days you can even see as far as the Welsh mountains.

What are some lesser-known neighborhoods in Liverpool that are worth exploring?

Ropewalks is a bohemian, hip neighborhood with plenty of fun music venues and bars. The ex-industrial Baltic Triangle is also a very up-and-coming part of the city. Packed with vintage shops, skate parks, and street art, it's home to many of the city's hidden gems.

Can you recommend any hidden architectural gems in Liverpool that are not as crowded as the famous landmarks?

Speke Hall is a uniquely well-preserved Tudor Mansion dating back to 1530. It's retained its original wattle-and-daub and wood frame structure and boasts early William Morris wallpaper. Anyone interested in architecture or history should plan a trip to this hidden gem in Liverpool.