If you have 7 days to spend in Merseyside, there are plenty of things to do and see. Here are some suggestions:
Spend the day exploring Liverpool's city centre. Visit the iconic Royal Albert Dock, home to the Beatles Story Museum and the Tate Liverpool art gallery. Walk along the historic waterfront, grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants, and visit Liverpool Cathedral.
If you're a fan of the Beatles, take a guided tour to see the iconic sights associated with the band, such as Penny Lane, Strawberry Field, and the childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. This tour usually lasts around 3 hours.
Take a ferry across the Mersey to the Wirral Peninsula and explore Port Sunlight Village, a beautifully preserved model village created for workers at a soap factory in the late 1800s. You could also visit the scenic village of Thornton Hough and the Wirral Country Park.
Spend a day at Knowsley Safari Park, where you can see a wide variety of animals, including lions, tigers, giraffes, and monkeys. There are also bird of prey displays and a sea lion show. Allow around 4-5 hours for your visit.
Travel north to the coastal town of Southport, where you can walk along the pier, visit the Botanic Gardens, and ride a steam train on the Southport Railway. If you're feeling brave, you could also try the town's Pleasureland amusement park.
Visit Formby Point, a beautiful beach and woodland area that is also home to red squirrels. You could take a walk along the beach or through the sand dunes, and explore the nature trails in the woodland. Allow around 3 hours for your visit.
Explore the town of St Helens, which is home to the World of Glass museum, where you can see glassblowers at work and learn about the town's industrial past. You could also visit the nearby Dream sculpture, a 20 metre-high statue of a girl's head.
When it comes to places to stay, there are plenty of options in and around Merseyside. Liverpool city centre has a wide range of hotels to suit different budgets, including the Hilton and the Premier Inn. For a more rural retreat, you could stay in one of the many bed and breakfasts or self-catering cottages in the countryside surrounding the region.