Ah lovely Newsham Park, this place holds good memories for me as it was the local park when I was a…read morenipper. It was where I learned to ride a bike, it's where I spent every summer playing footy and it's where, ah, oh yes it's where I fell in the lake when I was 4. Nevertheless it's a much overlooked park as it is situated in the equally overlooked area of Tuebrook which offers little for the tourist or indeed other residents of the city. The park itself though is a big area with plenty of hidden features and spaces for you to explore.

Newsham Park is one of the less 'famous' parks in Liverpool, possibly because it's just a patch of…read moregrass with a pond. I don't mean that in any derogoratoy way, just that it hasn't been marketed to high heaven, or had any botanical gardens put there or anything fancy like that. It is a nice place to go for a walk or sit by the pond, it's usually very quiet so a good place to chill out. My friend lives on the circular round around the park, and the view when you wake up is lovely.

You could walk around Sefton Park every day for a century and not see it in the same way twice. I…read moredon't know what would be so special about that 36,501st day but that'd be the one you get bored on. A mighty, verdant wonderland of precise landscape design, the park has everything- a lake, a cricket club, a cafe, tennis courts, an obelisk, a grotto, a dingly dell, a palm house, a nature reserve, an iron bridge, a swing park, a bowling green, fountains and a bandstand. Once upon a time, there was also an aviary, an open-air theatre and even a freaking pirate ship. Nowadays it plays host to the jangly joy of the Africa Oyé festival, as well as whatever circus has thundered into town from across the eastern horizon. Opened in 1872 by Prince Arthur (Queen Victoria's son) who dedicated it "for the health and enjoyment of the townspeople", the park received a vital face-lift in 2009. The lake was cleaned, sloppy grass banks were resculpted, signposts erected, statues polished and view-blocking trees were sliced down, somehow making the vast park seem even more open and welcoming. Oh yeah, I forgot ducks off that list before. It has ducks. Ooh and grass.

Wow, on a sunny day people sure do know how to kick back and relax! The best place to do this in…read moreliverpool has to be Sefton Park. Out of the city and into the countryside, or so it would seem! Big open fields, winding tree-lined paths, a boating lake (not that I've ever seen a boat on there), greenery galore. The Palm House is beautiful and having seen it in the midst of a deep snowy winter and it's reflective crystal maze esque glory of summer, it's always amazing. Today, we were strolling around the lake and there wasn't just one swan or two, but a whole family with their little cute baby signets just catchin' the sun on the path and people were just sitting watching them, almost cooing in appreciation at them they were so gorgeous. The park has also opened up a little cafe that serves yum stuff like rum and raisin and mint choc chip (my fave!) icecreams, coffees teas and lollies etc from a little glass pod on the edge of the lake, the seating outside gives a great view of the park to enjoy your surroundings and relax! So pack a picnic or a barbie, throw down a tartan rug and soak up the sun in one of the most mesmerising parks in the world! (Well, in our lovely little Liverpool bubble anyway!)

For me, Chavasse Park is Liverpool's alternative to the Piccadilly Gardens of Manchester, it is…read morebasically right at the top of the Liverpool One where there are multiple eateries including Nando's, Wagamama, Pizza Express and Gourmet Burger Kitchen, with views across the park of Albert Dock and the Hilton Liverpool City Centre, the latter I had an enjoyable two nights stay at a very good price during my recent trip to Liverpool. Many of the eateries (I've tried most of them), were below average in terms of quality, I was really disappointed with the Pizza Express store for one, and even the likes of Five Guys who have locations just a stones throw away here have much better stores elsewhere in Liverpool, such as the branch at Queens Square near Lime Street Station. Chavasse Park is also one of the more relaxing areas of Liverpool city centre although being in the central location it does get quite busy especially at peak times, as a city centre I find Liverpool to be smaller and more compact than Manchester, so this open space for me is one of the nicer areas. In terms of being impressive, it's more like a very clever student in a class of obtainers at or below the government average, and having this in other cities such as Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham or London at the current state just wouldn't be up to scratch. Chavasse Park is nice enough to have in the city centre to fill the space, but for me it is slightly disappointing, small and has an artificial feeling, it also isn't something you really need to see while in Liverpool or will probably take home and remember, it took me a few visits to Chavasse Park to actually know the name and it was a park and that was even knowledge I acquired from staying at the nearby Hilton which has impressive views of the park from the upper floors (7 floors in total), to begin with, it just lacks that recognition and wow factor, and I feel only a two-star rating is deserved here, which is a shame

Chavasse Park which is nestled in the heart of Liverpool city centre is the perfect spot for a bit…read moreof rest and relaxation! With mouth watering menus to tempt you at every turn, the Leisure Terrace is the perfect place to unwind. This fantastic space is located on top of the award winning Liverpool ONE car park, where you'll find 3000 car parking spaces. Chavasse Park is the jewel in the crown of Liverpool ONE's new development providing the perfect oasis of calm in the heart of the city. This superb space has already played host to a fabulous array of one-off and seasonal events in conjunction with Liverpool ONE. This is the perfect place to relax especially if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the City Centre yet it is only a stone's throw away making it convenient for shoppers.

Mansion House Built in 1828 the Mansion House is described…read morein the Liverpool Heritage Bureau 'Buildings of Liverpool' as 'asymmetrical and of two storeys in the Georgian tradition'. Today it is no longer a private house and contains offices of the Council, including the Housing Market Renewal Initiative and City Safe. Ornamental Gardens Situated at the centre of the park, this area comprises of three stlyles of gardens, one of ehich is the a Flower Garden. Originally a rose garden, it now provides a quiet area where visitors can absorb the scents and beauty of traditional planting schemes. The other two gardens are the Old English Garden and the Japanese Garden. The Glasshouse Situated in the Ornamental Gardens, this glasshouse displays examples from the city's temperate and tropical Botanical collections. There are plenty of things are and thepark is beautifuk, it has tennis courts too, and cafes etc..

One of the finest parks in Liverpool. A lake. Botanic Gardens. Mansion House. Worth a visit.read more

Wonderful place to chill…read more Calm and serene, but just outside some very busy areas as it is surrounded by the Central Library, World Museum, and Walker Museum of Art. On top of all that the Christmas Fair is going on from 24 Oct thru Christmas... and it faces the entrance of the Queensland Tunnel. Despite the potential for noise, the location is unusually quiet, and a perfect place to be mindful and aware. Although it has the chance to be mobbed by careless youth, it just as much has the ability to be a place for serenity - given the opportunity and time.

It's shows just how overlooked this place can be that it has taken me this long to review St John's…read moreGardens even when I have already covered St Georges Hall - in the grounds of which can the gardens be found! - The Walker Art Gallery and Museums that all surrounding the gardens. Considering that the place is situated in one of the busiest parts of town, overlooking the entrance to the Birkenhead tunnel, it is somehing of an oasis of calm and tranquility. St John's garden is a place that you will often see people sat with a book or paper or just obvioulsy taking in the great buildings and greenery around them in quiet contemplation. It's a lovely space in any time of the year with flowers in full bloom in summer and a very atmospheric backdrop in winter.

Is it swan season? I took a stroll through Greenbank park today and if the crazy bird woman from…read moreMary Poppins were there she would have Loved it. Birds Everywhere. This little girl was having a whale of a time running into them all and feeding the baby signets. This park is so quaint, there are lots of benches down by the side of the lake so you can sit and soak up the scenery and gorgeous little winding woodlandesque paths. Did I mention the kids playground? It's an amazingly colourful mesh of metal with a roundabout! Yes, I'm still a kid at heart, swings, monkey bars...I'm there, all with the backdrop of beautiful trees and water. Come sit and relax and watch life glide by for a while or see who can get the highest on the swings... whatever floats your boat!

The amount of greenery crammed into South Liverpool is a defining factor in its often changeable…read morelevels of loveliness. With its proximity to the Goliath of Sefton Park, Greenbank may seem a tad unnecessary and it's somewhat of a mystery why it hasn't just been engorged by the larger tract down the road. Here the underground stream that gave the Brookhouse its name, as well as my neighbour rising damp, bulges out into a turgid stretch of brown water scattered with ducks. Fisherman gather round the banks like gnomes to harvest the supply of scaly things beneath the surface. The best time to visit, and conveniently also my most recent, is after a spring rainstorm when the place is deserted and moisture plops from the heavy leaves. Lavverly.

Arrowe Country park is spectacular, I think the most memorable thing about it is the smell: so…read morefresh and natural it's wonderful. There are around 250 acres of woodland and parkland (no wonder it smells so fresh) and boasts a great mix of trees and flowers. You are guaranteed to spot numerous animals birds; squirrels are very popular in this area, as are Jays and Woodpeckers the numerous ponds and the lake in the park attracts toads, kingfishers and dragonflies; this place is a real haven. Although popular, it's always tranquil as people just come to walk and relax. Great place for an afternoon picnic

Arrowe Country Park is indeed an idyllic and beautiful place to go for a jog, a stroll or a family…read moreday out. There are acres and acres of lush scenery to peruse through as well as a pond for fishing in and a golf course for all those aspiring golfers. It's just a shame because it's set on the back of a few housing estates and occasionally you can get a bit of trouble as you walk around. So be warned, it's not a place that I would let my children go to play unsupervised! Other than that it's a great walk, I used to job through here fairly frequently and never got any trouble. It's a good place for groups of friends to go and play football as well as they have two football pitches that can be used. There's also a nice pub called the Cherry Orchard which you should try if you get peckish after your walk!

If you don't live nearby and don't want to take the car, the nearest station to Eastham Country…read morePark is Bromborough, with about a 1 mile walk from there to the park. A bus service is available along the A41 to Bromborough and Eastham Village to Eastham Ferry. Once there, there are awesome views across the estuary. The 100 acres of broadleaf woodland are great for walking, birdwatching and orienteering. There is a visitor information centre, rangers office and toilets in the courtyard adjacent to the main carpark. There are a few picnic areas on the open grassland close to the river. There is also a great little Tea Garden which serves refreshments and snacks during spring and summer or if you want something a little more substantial there are two public houses are situated on the riverfront.

Eastham Country park is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful parks on the Wirral. These…read moresprawling 100 acres of woodland are maintained by the Wirral Borough Council. The site of this park was once a Victorian amusement park, and down among the ferns and the azalea bushes you will still find evidence of this bygone carnival: broken fountains, stone steps, ruins of walls, and bear pits. Walking here among the trees in the spring is like walking in a jungle, except that there are neatly kept paths, and fortunately no tigers hiding behind bushes. However, English wildlife is in abundance, and you are very likely to see birds of all kinds including woodpeckers, jays, nuthatches, and wood pigeons, as well as red squirrels, and possibly even hedgehogs, weasels, or foxes. Some of the trees you will see are oak, silver birch, and sycamore. After or before you visit the park, you should really check out the village. Nathaniel Hawthorne once visited the village, and in his journals described it as "the finest old English village [he had] ever seen." There is also visitors centre, a ranger's office, public toilets, and a tea room. To get to Eastham Country Park by train, take the Wirral Line and arrive at Eastham Rake.