Ah, the Atkinson. Again, just another Southport landmark full of childhood memories for myself…read more Yep, my father used to bring me here regularly to ensure I had a lovely cultural upbringing, and it's a marvellous gallery housed in a terrific building right in the centre of the seaside town itself, opposite Lord Street and the band stand. Admission is free but donations are encouraged as every gift helps, no matter how small. And once you've walked around this spectacular yet strangely humble gallery you'd have to have a heart of ice not to want to give a little something. It has a varied and rather extensive collection, ranging from LS Lowry to John Piper, John Collier to Ernest Normand and many more. The Friends of the Atkinson Gallery are an organisation which helps to drum up even more interest for the gallery. It's currently closed for refurbishments but plans to reopen bigger and better than ever as part of a Southport cultural overhaul, so get involved as it's bound to increase in popularity after its makeover. Southport might not quite rival Brighton yet in the seaside artsy stakes, but it's getting there, and with the help of the Atkinson it'll get there a lot faster!

This is now an entertainment/cultural centre, with the art gallery, an auditorium, civic hall and…read morebotanic museum all within the grade 2 listed building. The entrance/foyer is welcoming and strikingly clean - statuary and paintings being the first things I saw. The bookings and information desks are unobtrusive, yet easy to find as the signage throughout is very clear. There are interesting display cases throughout. Up the impressive staircase are the toilets, the superb but expensive bar and the entrances to the auditorium. As I was there for a music concert, this is the area I saw best. A superb setting for Fairport Convention as they attract a fair number of fans, yet like to connect with their audience as intimately as possible. The seating was comfortable and gave us all a good view of the band. The sound was just superb.

So my better half took me here after I ate an ice cream that almost weighed the same as my lad…read more It's a beautiful big park and hall. So we had a look at the pond and saw the geese and ducks. We then moseyed on up to field where we shot our Rockets. Flew the micro lite helicopter (great at take offs. Horrendously bad at landings). We also played football and threw the frisby We then had a walk up to the climbing frames. That Was very busy with kids with no manners so we swiftly moved on to the bouncy castle. You have to pay but good value for money and he got some much enjoyment out of running him and bouncy Down. I couldn't think of anything worse. We then had a little surprise with a free small animal section. Loads of birds. Little animals like rabbits. Tortoises. Squirrels etc. So good and quite educational. I was very impressed. We then headed back down to get a coffee. This was the only boringly bad element to the whole experience. To have 3 drinks and crisps I nearly had to raid my lads wallet as didn't take cards and wasnt cheap. That wasn't the worst bit. I had to queue for 30 mins. Lol I would definitely recommend if for an afternoon out. I left a tip too!

This is a great place to go if you are looking for a free day out with the kids.Not only is there…read moreloads of room for them to run round , play footie and generally let off steam but there's a well equipped play area too. The small pets area is open again now and there are always ducks on the lake so take a few rounds of bread with you!There is a cafe in the park which not only sells icecreams ,tea and coffee but also does some reasonably priced meals. The hall itself has lots to see and there are activities that children can complete on the way round, if you are a Chorley resident remember to take proof with you and entry is free.My kids loved going here and for a cheap day out we used to take a picnic there are plenty of trees to shelter under if it rains!The hall itself is open from April to October but the park is open all year round.

Interesting museum showing history of Leyland trucks and commercial vehicles.read more

Excelent museum run by enthusiasts and retired truckers with stories galore. There is a good…read morearchive and many exhibits from the earliest days to modern commercial vehicles. Well worth a visit. Parking is free outside, and there are many cafes, supermkts,shops etc. in Leyland town centre next to it.

To begin, the building itself is very impressive. Behind the neo-classical facade is a huge atrium…read morerunning the full height of the central tower around which all the galleries are laid out. The ground floor of the atrium is home to the cafe which serves drinks, snacks and excellent cake. It also contains a recreation of the Foucault's Pendulum experiment which is claimed to demonstrate the rotation of the Earth. The museum itself houses collections of china and glassware, clothing and fashion accessories, and local archaeological and historical artifacts. The art galleries are also worthy of note, containing a good selection of late victorian and early twentieth century art, supplemented by regular exhibitions of contemporary works. As other reviewers have mentioned, the Harris also has a shop, runs activities for children, and also houses the Central Library.

This museum is so great! Firstly, it's so amazing that so many of our museums are free. We are so…read morelucky. And ok it's not like the Harris Museum is full of masterpieces or anything but it's still a great museum - lots of interesting and varied stuff to see. I really liked the ceramics and glassware display, especially all the beautiful glass bottles. There was an exhibition on how the museum preserves its costume and textiles collection which I though was a cool idea. The travelling Bruce Nauman exhibition was also really fun - I loved the neon installations and the wreath of slightly obscene hands. The fine art gallery had a really varied range up to contemporary including some poignant wartime art and some lovely works by regional artists. Finally the Preston section had a small but quite moving display on the history of Preston's groundbreaking women and a feature on the history of Preston as the foremost cotton manufacturer and home of the famous Horrocks brand. The building itself is very handsome and the staff are friendly too. This is a must see if you're in town.

Very interactive and interesting exhibits…read more FREE admission will get you into 90% of the actual museum. Variety of exhibits so it has a little something for everybody. The first floor was the Dive In! Aquarium. It had a very nice anemone tank and a variety of other tanks that had sea life. The second floor is the Bug space, and the beginning of the Natural History space. Both are very interactive and have plenty of kid friendly space. The Return of the Gods exhibit (which costs 8 GBP to visit) was on the third floor, but you could also see what I thought was the most interesting part of the museum which was the World Culture exhibit. The exhibits themselves are nice, but this museum has a novel approach to explaining how Liverpool got its items. Comedian Daliso Chaponda was narrating the process of how the museum procured the majority of its items through good ole colonization (kidding, not kidding). He brings to light the appropriation process through comedic discussion, novel and palatable. The 3rd floor also has the Egyptian Exhibit, which is very good. It's probably the jewel of the museum. The history of the pieces are well explained, and the mummies are displayed wonderfully, some in layers, some in narrative, and plenty of interactivity for the little ones. I didn't spend much time on the fourth floor (Dinosaurs) or fifth floor (Planetarium/Space). The fifth floor wasn't as impressive, but gave those genre's some space for those that are interested. It was the meh portions of the museum. If you have a few hours to burn, consider this museum a good choice for kids of all ages and interests.

Visited the museum especially to see the current special exhibition on the Chinese terracotta army…read morewhich was well worth the cost of the tickets. The building contains a large cafe on the ground floor that was well stocked with good quality food and deserts, this area also has access to free Wi-Fi. The next floor has the Aquarium and treasure house theater. The 2nd (3rd in US) floor has the special exhibition and the Bug House. Next floor contains World Cultures, Ancient Egypt and Western Discovery Center (only open weekends & school holidays. 4th floor holds Dinosaurs, Endangered Planet and Clore Natural History Center. Finally the 5th floor holds exhibits on Space and Time along with a Planetarium - tickets needed from the information desk on the ground floor. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful and could not be more accommodating, well worth the visit. I should also add the this museum is free except for the special exhibit which needs tickets purchased either online or at the entrance with limited time slots available each day.

Sudley house on Mossley Hill Road dates back to the 19th Century and is so beautiful. I love the…read morelayout, and wish I could live there. The staircase is awesome and leads up to the top of the house and an amazing white round ceiling. The carved marble fireplace in the dining room is another amazing feature of the house. I spent a while in the costume room which is currently exhibiting Emily Tinne, and her six children between about 1910 and 1940. Check out the coat of antelope fur lined with figured brown rayon silk. The history of the house is pretty interesting. Nicholas Robinson, a rich corn merchant, bought the land for £4,500 upon which the house is now built. Bargain! The house was finished by 1824 and Nicholas was living in it until 1854. In 1883 the house was sold to George Holt who made alterations to the property including the creation of a garden veranda. Claims to fame for the house include: one of the few period homes decorated in a Victorian style that still has many of its original features. It is also the only surviving Victorian merchant art collection in Britain still hanging in its original location. The house is free to visit and well worth the effort to get there.

At Sudley House, you can experience the charmed life of a wealthy Victorian merchant family - home…read moreof the magnificent art collection of ship owner George Holt. Works on show include paintings by Landseer and Turner to name but a few. There are contemporary videos and an introductory display to tell how members of family and household lived. Upstairs, the childhood rooms explore how Victorian children learned and played and a costume room features changing displays of period clothing and a temporary exhibition gallery. Sudley House contains the only surviving Victorian merchant art collection in Britain still hanging in its original location. Best of all, entry is free for all and it is open daily from 10am-5pm.

A fascinating perspective on the contributions by the people of the Manchester area to major…read moreinnovations in science and industry throughout history. Numerous displays and examples of equipment and machinery large and small. Steam engines to electron microscopes on display, with emphasis on Manchester's relationship with the cotton industry, both good and bad. Something for everyone here, young and old. Free to enter, donations appreciated. Reservations will make sure that you don't need to wait for entry. A must-see if you are in the area.

Fantastic place for families with children! Adults can enjoy the many exhibits while young ones can…read moreenjoy the hands on displays. We liked watching the textile demonstration in the Textile area. This place has so much to see and do. And it's free! Contributions are gladly accepted to keep this fabulous museum operational.

Hooray for nutters! What state of tedium would the world be in if we didn't have the outer fringes…read moreof the lunacy spectrum brightening the place up with their unique brand of madness? Joseph Williamson was such a man. A 19th-century businessmen, he employed scores of craftsmen and, at great cost to his own fortune, put them to work carving out a vast subterranean system of tunnels, for no real reason. When I visited, the tour guide put great emphasis on the theory that the construction work was solely philanthropic, keeping men employed on a project for the sake of it. However, if that's true, why tunnels? Why not build hospitals or something? I actually prefer the idea that Williamson was just round the bend. As I said, it makes the world seem more extraordinary. Two things disappointed me about the tour. Firstly, there was no Minotaur. Secondly, you are only taken around a small portion of it. I got all excited when the guide showed us a map of the possible extent of the labyrinthine tunnel system (I say 'possible' because the true size has never been determined). My intrigue was kicked asunder when he pointed out where we'd actually be venturing, little more than a short horseshoe-shape, a fraction of the mighty potential. This is quibbling though. The tunnels are everything you want from a day out- fascinating, funny, inspiring and just a little bit eerie. It's not hard to see how Joseph's nickname altered after his death from the 'King of Edge Hill' to the less awesome but more truthful 'Mole of Edge Hill'. Still, a man who hired strangers to scoop out his own private burrow from beneath his house? You can't help but want to honour such a magnificent bastard.

Under Liverpool's Edge Hill is a mysterious underground kingdom of winding tunnels built in the…read more1820's and 1830's. This 40 minute guided tour takes you through a reopened section of this unique labyrinth of tunnels where you can learn about Williamson's motives for their construction and the lives of hundreds of workers employed by one of Liverpool's most eccentric characters. Moreover, the attraction is ever changing, due to its ongoing excavation of the tunnel network. They have a website where they detail some special events during Halloween and Christmas too which I would recommend to anyone, especially younger people. Opening times do vary throughout the year and ticket prices only cost £4 for an adult and £2.50 for a child.

Highly ornate old building. If you have the chance to listen to a concert in here, it's worth it!read more

St. George's hall is the finest example of neo-classical architecture in the country. Visiting the…read moreheritage centre on St. Johns Lane brings the story of St. George's Hall alive with access to cells, crown court and a viewing gallery enabling visitors to experience the magnificent great hall. Throughout the year, there is a range of exhibitions, talks, markets, performances and events taking place. Full details can be found on their website. The stunning Victorian architecture of the great hall and the great organ are a must see. Entrance to this site is free for all and I would recommend visiting.

Good because Eleanor's narration left us wanting more. Inside was out of bounds so we were left…read morewith a half hour outside tour and the mini museum of the witches. We were thirsty for much more history than was given but what was given was great. Eleanor was a born story teller and there is so much more to this history than was given. For 2 pound 50 it was a bargain. What stories this castle could tell.

You'd be silly to come all the way to Lancaster without seeing the castle!…read more The castle is still a working court and prison, but you can take tours there seven days a week if you head around back (near the requisite gift shop.) The keep dates to the 12th century and the history of the castle is very interesting. The guides are well informed and fun to listen to, and there are events here throughout the year. When you finish, it's worth heading out front, putting the castle at your back and taking a walk down the street towards town. On the right, you'll see a sign for the Nice Cafe, and inside that building is the tourism office, which always has more info on things to see locally. If you go a few feet further and look left, you will find the Merchant's Pub, one of the oldest and coolest pubs in town. Grab a burger and a pint and enjoy their patio!