Merseyside Accommodation Guide
Merseyside is a largely urban county in the northwest of England. Covering only 249 square miles (645 km2) of land, Merseyside is one of the smallest counties in the United Kingdom but it is also one of the most densely populated.
The area is famous for its proud industrial and marmite history (both as a mercantile port but also for its shipbuilding yards), for the rock ‘n’ roll group The Beatles and for its two famous football clubs, Liverpool and Everton.
With a fascinating history and a large number of unique attractions, Merseyside is one of Britain’s most visited counties. Nearly 40 million people visit the Liverpool area every year, helped by the fact that it was European City of Culture in 2008.
In this brief tourist guide, we will explore some of the region’s finest attractions and exhibit some of Merseyside’s best accommodation choices. Given Merseyside’s industrial heritage, many of the hotels in the Liverpool area were once warehouses or factories that have since been converted in glitzy hotels that serve both business and leisure visitors.
In addition, there are many self-catering options in Merseyside that are perfect for families or larger groups. These range from former worker’s cottages to more modern apartments or residential houses that now serve the tourist sector exclusively. Many such options sit in semi-rural locations which also grant easy access to the area’s principal towns and cities.
Taking its name from the River Mersey which flows through the county’s centre, Merseyside was once a part of both Cheshire and Lancashire but was made an independent in county 1974 due to the growth and size of the area’s population; it is the fifth most populous region in England.
Although there are five metropolitan areas within the county (Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Wirral and the City of Liverpool), Liverpool is the principal metropolitan area. Despite its largely urban land use, Merseyside also has a number of semi-rural and rural areas. It is also close to many beautiful locations that sit alongside the county’s boundaries.
These include the stunning Wirral Peninsular. With its sandy beaches, picturesque villages and large areas of National Trust protected land, this is a great place to visit at any time of year. Other attractions in the Wirral include Eastham Country Park, Bidston Hill with its incredible windmill and the wider North Wirral Coastal Park.
Other fantastic natural attractions in the region include the multi-award winning Ness Botanical Gardens in Liverpool. We particularly like the Garston Coastal Reserve Trail which affords incredible views across the estuary. The trail stretches across 70 acres of land from Garston Docks to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
Merseyside shares a land border with several counties including Greater Manchester to the east, Cheshire to the southeast and Lancashire to the northeast. Wales is only a short distance away across the Dee Estuary. Ireland is also easily accessible with ferry routes from the Liverpool area to both Dublin and Belfast in Northern Ireland.
Merseyside / Tourist Information
- County Town: Liverpool
- Land Area: 645 km2 (249 square miles)
- Population: 1,423,065 (2019)
- Population Density: 2,200/km2 (5,700/square mile)
- Average Temperature: (Summer 20°C)
- Days Of Rain: 194 days of rain / 171 dry days per year
Best Attractions In Merseyside
Royal Albert Dock (Liverpool): Opened in 1846, The Royal Albert Dock is a complex of dock buildings and warehouses in Liverpool. The warehouses are notable in that they were built using iron-frameworks thereby making them non-combustible and the first of their kind in the UK. The docks attract over 4 million visitors a year and house the Merseyside Maritime Museum, the Beatles Story museum and the Tate Liverpool gallery.
Formby Beach: Thanks to its incredible beach, sand dunes and wildlife, Formby is an extremely popular tourist destination in summer. The area is protected by the National Trust and it is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is one of the last English strongholds for the endangered Red Squirrel and Natterjack toad.
Liverpool Cathedral: Liverpool’s Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Britain and it is also one of the newest being built between 1904 and 1978. Interestingly, in terms of total external length, the cathedral is the longest cathedral in the world. The cathedral is also one of the world’s highest non-spired churches with a height of 331 feet.
Best Accommodation In Merseyside
Underlea (Hale): A historic wooden beamed holiday property with a fascinating history, this thatched cottage in the rural village of Hale sleeps 10 people across 4 bedrooms. This incredible holiday house is positioned in a quiet location yet very close to Liverpool city centre. It is also close to the picturesque Wirral Peninsula.
342 South Ferry Quay (Liverpool): This incredible waterside apartment on the banks of the River Mersey sleeps 4 people across 2 bedrooms. This is an ideal location from which to explore Liverpool city centre. The marina also has a fine dining restaurant very close to the apartment called ‘The Yacht Club’.
More coming soon…
Stay In Britain is the ultimate guide to places to stay and things to do in Great Britain. Whether you are looking for a luxury self-catering cottage, a cheap B&B for a weekend stay, a short break in a caravan park or a business-friendly hotel in the Merseyside area, we have everything you need. Enjoy your stay in Britain!
