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Atkinson Art Gallery

Opened in 1878 with funds donated by William Atkinson, the gallery specialises in 19th & 20th century oil paintings, sculpture, watercolours, drawings and prints. Including works by: John Collier, Jacob Epstein, L.S. Lowry, Paul Nash and John Piper. Temporary exhibitions are also regularly shown.

Opening times: all year, Tue-Thu 10-5, Fri 12-5, Sat 10-5, Sun 2-5.
Free Entry
Location: Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1DH
Tel: 0151 9342110
Image Credit: Philip Platt (CC2)

The British Lawnmower Museum

This internationally famous museum houses over 250 gardening artifacts, treasures and machinery dating back to 1799. In addition to the usual variety of vintage mowers such as Qualcast, ATCO and JP, it also contains the world's greatest collection of classic toy lawn mowers. Amongst the exhibits is the world's first electric lawnmower and several mowers that were once owned by famous celebrities, such as Alan Titchmarsh, Hilda Ogden, Brian May and Diana Princess of Wales.

Opening times: daily, 9am - 5.30pm, except Sun & BH Mon. Admission Charge
Location: 106-114 Shakespeare St, Southport, PR8 5AJ - Tel: 01704 501336 - Website

Knowsley Safari Park

A five-mile drive-through safari park with animals from five continents, living in as natural a habitat as possible. Visitors will be able see a wide variety of animals including African elephants, buffalo, tigers, lions, zebras, rhinos, monkeys and many other animals in spacious, open surroundings. Other amusements include a reptile house, pet corner and sea lion shows, plus a miniature railway and amusement park.

The park began in the early 19th century, when the 13th Earl of Derby set up a small menagerie that was to become one of the finest private collections in the world.

Opening times: all year, Mar-Oct, daily 10-4. Winter Nov-Feb, 11-3. Admission Charge
Location: Prescot, L34 4AN Tel: 0151 4309009 - Website

Lady Lever Art Gallery

Created by the 1st Lord Leverhulme as a memorial to his wife, who died in 1913, it contains many outstanding English 18th century paintings and furniture. The famous works include Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces by Rossetti, Millais and Burne-Jones, portraits by Gainsborough, and dramatic landscapes by Turner and Constable. The Classical Renaissance building in which the gallery is housed forms an impressive centrepiece to the village of Port Sunlight.

Opening times: all year, Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5 (Closed 23-26 Dec & 1 Jan). Free Entry
Location: Port Sunlight, CH62 5EQ - Tel: 0151 4784136 - Website

Pleasureland

New Pleasureland on Southport sea-front is home to over 100 rides and attractions, including the new Mad Mouse spinning coaster and the Storm roller coaster, plus stalls, indoor amusement arcades, food stalls and cafés. A fun day out for the kids.

Opening times: Mar to Nov, opening times vary. Free Entry, rides cost between £1 and £3
Location: Marine Drive, Southport PR8 1RX - Tel: 01704 532717 - Website

Prescot Museum

Located in a fine Georgian Town House, once an important centre for cockerel fighting. The museum explores the history of Prescot and its famous clock and watch making trade, plus the background to other local industries such as mining, pottery and cable manufacture.

Opening times: all year, Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 2-5 (Closed BHs). Free Entry
Location: 34 Church St, Prescot, L34 3LA - Tel: 0151 4307787 - Website

Speke Hall

This historical half-timbered, black-and-white Elizabethan manor house is possibly one of the best preserved houses of the period in existence. Designed by Sir William Norrisin 1490 and completed in 1610. It retains much of its original appearance, comprising of four wings surrounding a cobbled courtyard. A late Elizabethan stone bridge leads the visitor to the house where the atmosphere of the past is enhanced by two yew trees more than 400 years old, named Adam and Eve.

Inside, the great parlour has a magnificent stucco ceiling, and period furnishing from the 18th and 19th century. The kitchen contains an eclectic mix of early cooking utensils, copperware, irons and some early vacuum cleaners.

Opening times: Mar~Oct: Wed - Sun 11am - 5pm, Nov~Feb: Sat/Sun 11am - 4pm. Admission Charge
Location: The Walk, Liverpool L24 1XD - Tel: 0844 8004799

World of Glass

An ideal family attraction, located in the heart of a northern town with a long history of glass-making. This fascinating museum demonstrates advances in glassmaking from ancient Egyptian times to the age of the laser beam. The museum galleries display glass from ancient Egypt and around the world, including local items relating to brewing, mining and the pharmaceutical/chemical industries. Of particular interest is a lighthouse optic made by a Birmingham specialist firm which shone for more than 50 years off Ireland's west coast, plus the world's first continuous glass-making furnace and a Mirror Maze.

Opening times: Tue-Sun & BH, 10-5 (Closed 25-26 Dec & I Jan). Admission Charge
Location: Chalon Way East, St Helens, WA10 1BX - Tel: 08700 114466 - Website

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Towns and Cities in Merseyside

St Helens, Liverpool, Warrington

Please note that the above information was accurate at the time this page was last updated. This information is subject to change at any time (opening times in particular), therefore if you plan on visiting any of the above attractions, please check the owner's website first or phone them for the latest details.