Looking for the best free things to do in Liverpool? Whether you’re visiting the city for the first time or you’re a local looking for inspiration, Liverpool is full of fantastic attractions, beautiful green spaces and fascinating landmarks that won’t cost you a penny. From the iconic waterfront and world-class museums to historic buildings and creative neighbourhoods, here are some of the best free experiences the city has to offer.
1. Discover Liverpool Waterfront
Head down to the docks to take in the sight of one of, if not the most iconic building of the city. From Pier Head, you will be able to see the Liver Building, whose four clocks are the biggest electronically driven clocks in the UK – Yes, even bigger than Big Ben.
These clocks were started on June 22nd ,1911 at 1:40pm at the exact time of King George V’s coronation, and are officially named ‘The Great George Liver Clocks’ after him.
While on the docks, you can enjoy the benches and seating areas to sunbathe, read and watch the water. If you walk closer to the Liver Building, towards the Mersey Ferries building, you will find a statue of the Beatles. More often than not, you will get to enjoy Beatles songs performed live by buskers who like to play next to the statue.
If you walk down the docks a little more, you will find yourself with a pretty view on the red buildings of the Royal Albert Dock, with the Wheel of Liverpool completing the landscape in the background. While most of the Royal Albert Docks is about restaurants, bars, cafés and shops, it is lovely to walk around the harbour and mooch around even without spending a penny.
2. Learn About The City at The Museum of Liverpool
Still on the waterfront, you can take some time to visit the Museum of Liverpool. With its modern architecture, the museum will let you learn about the history of the city through the centuries.
From the early days of the industrial era to the twenty first century, the museum will draw the attention of history nerds as much as that of football fans.
On the last floor, you will find a gorgeous view on the waterfront and the Liver Building from high up. On a clear day, you will even be able to see the Mersey Estuary.
3. Explore Sefton Park
If you’d like to get away from the hustling and bustling of the city, Sefton Park is the ideal place to do so. If it gets quite busy on weekends with joggers, families and dog walkers, it is quieter during the week and a perfect place to either take a stroll around the Lake, people watch from a bench or tan on the grass.
It is also a perfect spot for a catch up with friends, a picnic or an afternoon spent reading in the sun. Pack your picnic blanket, sunscreen and some snacks and you will be all set to enjoy a restful afternoon in the sun. If you’d rather have a more active time, the vast green spaces leave room for children (or adults) to play and can become a great football pitch.
You can also pack your tennis racket and hit some balls on one of the three free-to-use tarmac tennis courts of the park.
4. Stroll Down Lark Lane
Right by Sefton Park, you will find the colourful Lark Lane. With plenty of cafés, shops and brunch places, Lark Lane is a hotspot for couples, groups or friends or families and a lovely place for a meal out, but it is also a great place to enjoy without spending any money.
You can enjoy the lively atmosphere of the street on a sunny day and take in the colourful storefronts and flowers while spending some time discovering the diverse independent shops you will find there.
If you are a Liverpool fan, keep an eye out for the mural with lyrics of You’ll Never Walk Alone.
5. Visit The Walker Art Gallery
If you have a keen interest in art, the Walker Art Gallery is home to the most extensive collection of artwork in England outside of London. From the Middle Ages to Contemporary and Modern Art, the gallery has a large collection of paintings, sculptures and decorative art by UK and international artists.
It is peaceful and fulfilling to go through the museum’s numerous rooms and to take the time to admire the art displayed. No matter what your favourite era or movement is, you will most likely find a piece that you connect with whether it is amongst the gallery’s permanent exhibition or a piece part of a temporary set up.
The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, and entrance is free with the opportunity to make a voluntary donation if you’d like.
6. Enjoy The Peace and Quiet of The Picton Reading Room
Whether you are a big reader or not so much, the Picton reading room is worth taking the time. Right next to the Walker’s museum, this circular reading room is part of the Liverpool Central Library, and is therefore free to access.
With a large, quiet reading and working area and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, this reading room was the first electrically lit library in the UK and was opened in 1879. It is the ideal spot if you have some work to do, or just want to read in a quiet place while feeling the weight of the years, people and stories that have been through this room before you. Do keep in mind that it can get quite busy especially while university is still on.
Good to know as well, if you are a Liverpool resident, you can get a library card and borrow books for free!
7. Discover The Baltic Triangle
Just a 15-minute walk from the Docks, the Baltic Triangle is a former industrial area. Nowadays, it is the home of studios, cafés and a number of murals. The mix of red brick buildings and street art, in reference to the Beatles, the football, and so much more, gives the area a particular atmosphere.
The Red Brick market is also a good place to wander between creators’ stands, second hand artefacts, antiquities and vintage clothing. You don’t have to spend any money to find inspiration browsing through the eclectic items and take in the peculiar atmosphere of this vibrant market.
8. Admire The Gothic Architecture of Liverpool Cathedral
Constructed between 1904 and 1978, this cathedral based on a design by Giles Gilbert Scott is the longest cathedral in the world with its 621 feet (189 m) of length. Liverpool’s Anglican cathedral is also the fifth largest cathedral in the world on overall volume.
Looking up to the building from the outside will already make you feel extremely tiny, but the inside is even more impressive. While access to the tower requires to pay for a ticket, general entrance to the building is free of charge.
Inside, you can explore the different areas of the gothic cathedral such as the Lady’s Chapel or the Children’s chapel and marvel at the colourful stained-glass windows. If you are in luck, you might even get to witness the bell being run on the hour.
9. Visit The Bombed Out Church
At the top of Bold Street, St Luke’s Church is also called the Bombed-Out Church because its roof was destroyed during the Blitz in World War Two. Open from 11am to 5pm, it is free to visit, but you can donate upon entrance if you’d like.
Inside, you will be able to see the remnants of the past and wonder at the way vegetation took back its rights. If you are interested in history, signs retracing the story of the church can be found all around the church.
Twice a month on Sunday, the church hosts a creator’s market with handmade creations, food and artworks.
