Live Like a Local: Liverpool on a budget

An Offaly man working with the homeless finds some budget-friendly ways to spend 36 hours by the Mersey

Ferry Cross the Mersey: If you are in the docklands area, you can take the “ferry cross the Mersey” to Birkenhead or stroll down the riverside, looking across at the Wirral.  Photograph: Getty Images
Ferry Cross the Mersey: If you are in the docklands area, you can take the “ferry cross the Mersey” to Birkenhead or stroll down the riverside, looking across at the Wirral. Photograph: Getty Images

Saturday morning Have a cultural morning at some of Liverpool's many free tourist attractions. In the city you'll find the World Museum, Central Library and Walker Art Gallery. The World Museum has a planetarium and a rich collection of artefacts from ancient civilisations, while the Central Library's Picton reading room is a treasure trove of antiquarian works. For a snack, try Gladstones in Slater Street, where friendly staff serve affordable food in a bookshop setting.

Saturday afternoon The city has lots of parks and outdoor spaces, but I recommend Everton Brow for its panoramic views. If you're going to a football soccer match, it is a short walk from Anfield and Goodison Park. On the other side of the city, Princes Park and Sefton Park offer a rich range of botanical samples and are worth a visit. If you are in the docklands area, you can take the "ferry across the Mersey" to Birkenhead or stroll down the riverside , looking across at the Wirral. If you want to venture further north, a short train ride to Aintree will bring you to the frequent race meetings.

Saturday night If you want somewhere quiet, try the Brink on Parr Street. Established by the charity Action on Addiction, it was the first non-alcohol bar in Britain, staffed mainly by people in recovery. It also serves good food.

Sunday morning The Museum of Liverpool brings to life much of the history of the city and environs, stretching back to the story of the prehistoric inhabitants, the ancient Romans, the Vikings and then the story of how King John established Liverpool to promote trade with Ireland. The story continues to the present day, with a look at industrial, sporting and cultural history.

READ MORE

The Museum of Slavery highlights the grim history of the transatlantic slave trade, once an important feature of Liverpool’s economy, and brings the story up to date by looking at i people trafficking. The docklands also host the north of England branch of the Tate gallery of modern art.

You can’t leave the home city of the Fab Four without a visit to the Beatle Experience, although there is a charge: £14.95 for adults, £9 for children.

Declan McSweeney is from Offaly and has lived in Liverpool since 2011, where he works for a homeless charity. Share your travel tips for your adopted home with Irish Times readers by emailing magazine@irishtimes.com with 'Live like a local' in the subject line