First of all, it’s known as ‘The Wirral’ not just Wirral and you’re ‘from the Wirral’ or ‘on the Wirral’ as the locals say. I’m from the Wirral and it is a hidden gem of a peninsula in the northwest of England with plenty to see and do. It has lots of great little coastal spots, beaches, and nice little countryside towns. It also has a few dodgy areas too.
It’s often overshadowed by neighbouring Liverpool since it’s the nearest large city, but there are still plenty of things to do on the Wirral for adults and couples to keep you occupied.
Most of the area is well set up for family activities and the peninsula has a lot of young families as a demographic but if you are mum and dad seeking something to do together or simply a couple in the area then here’s a list of activities on the Wirral for adults and couples.
1. Get right into the local nature
There’s plenty of nature on the Wirral Peninsula for adults to enjoy, especially since it’s surrounded by coastline and many parks. With its stunning coastline, lush parks, and picturesque countryside, there’s no shortage of outdoor activities to enjoy.
Coastal Walks: There are a few good ones here especially a scenic stroll along the Wirral Coastal Walk. Stretching for 12 miles from West Kirby to Parkgate (a great coastal stop for ice cream), this coastal path offers fantastic views of the Irish Sea, sandy beaches, and rugged cliffs. Thurstaston is a particularly good spot if you’re looking for a shorter section of the walk.
New Brighton Promenade is another good walk, which features Perch Rock fort, amusements, a theatre, and a view of the Liverpool coastline too, it’s less green but there are still some good sights to be had here.
Wirral Country Park: If you’re into some contrasting nature then you need to check out Wirral Country Park on the west coast of the Wirral. It is the first designated country park in Britain. Covering over 2,000 acres of woodlands, green landscapes, and wetlands, this whole area is perfect for hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife spotting. Don’t forget to climb the famous Thurstaston Hill for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Birkenhead Park is another gem on the Wirral and is the world’s first public park, ideal for a nature walk.
2. Eat out at some great restaurants
You can definitely satisfy your taste buds with some great restaurants on the Wirral. You can try cosy pubs or award-winning restaurants that offer the best local flavours, so there’s something to please everyone’s taste. Here are some of my favourite restaurants on the Wirral:
- The Mediterranean Kitchen, Bebington – A small Greek-style Mediterranean variety restaurant
- Refreshment Rooms, Rock Ferry – Good quality, upmarket pub grub
- The Tapas Kitchen, West Kirby – Spanish coastal town restaurant
- Restaurant OXA, Oxton – Fine dining and small courses
- Elixir, Oxton – Tapas theme but with a British twist
- Yiamas Greek Taverna, Birkenhead – Been around for decades and is exactly what it says
Alongside that, there is the Wirral Food Trail, where you can sample artisanal cheeses, freshly caught seafood, and other English treats. Visit local markets, farm shops, and eateries to try the different foods on offer and stuff yourself happy.
3. Go on a pub crawl
There are some great pubs and bars on the Wirral spread over different towns. Some good, lively areas include Hoylake, which comes alive at night with trendy bars and live music. Heswall is a bit more upmarket for a smaller high street of bars. New Brighton has a few good day drinking spots on the seafront among the restaurants.
Oxton has some nice, relaxed, and lively bars and pubs with good surrounding restaurant options in a small, leafy village. Birkenhead is probably the livelier of the bunch with bigger bars dotted throughout the large town, where you can have a good time, not walk far and stay out until the early hours but it can get a bit more rough and ready there.
4. Absorb some local history and culture
Delve into the history and culture of the Wirral through its mix of museums, galleries, and old historical sites. From ancient castles to modern art spaces, there’s something for the lover of old and new here.
Port Sunlight Village: This is unlike many villages you will see in the UK. Step back in time and walk around the charming village of Port Sunlight, a picturesque model village created by industrialist William Hesketh Lever in the late 1900’s. The area feels like something out of a movie set and has leafy streets lined with nice cottages and wide perfectly kept garden streets.
Visit the Lady Lever Art Gallery to admire its impressive art collection but equally as interesting as learning about the village’s unique history at the Port Sunlight Museum. Pop into the Tudor-looking Bridge Inn Pub if you’re after a pint or bite to eat.
Birkenhead Priory, Birkenhead was founded in 1150 by the monks and is the oldest standing building on Merseyside so it’s a real piece of ancient history right near the tunnel to Liverpool. The site contains the medieval remains of the priory itself and the grounds are nice enough to walk around. There are some cool underground monk’s tunnels that I explored as a kid which are now closed off to the public.
Williamson Art Gallery, Birkenhead is another historical gallery showing some great old collections of art and antiques.
5. Try a bit of adventure
If you’re looking for a thrill, the Wirral offers a variety of adrenaline-pumping activities to get your heart pumping.
Wirral Watersports: Take to the water and try your hand at windsurfing, kayaking, or paddleboarding along the Wirral’s coast. You can do these activities in either West Kirby Marina or New Brighton Marina. With its quiet open waters and gentle waves, it’s a great playground for watersports adventures.
Alternatively, head inland to the parks in Thurstaston or Caldy for some rock climbing or gorge scrambling, exploring the region’s rivers and rock formations while getting close to cliff edges with brilliant views.
Outdoor driving activities: Channel your inner Lewis Hamilton with some outdoor Go Karting or supercar driving in Hooton Park. Try one or more supercars of your choice and rip them around the track as if you’re in a movie.
On the Wirral, you can also try some great crazy golfing courses in Viking Quest, Moreton, or New Brighton Promenade. Try orienteering in Storeton Woods, Stapledon Wood, or Bidston Hill and navigate the huge woodland trails. Whether you’re a novice or a proper thrill-seeker, you can crank up an activity to suit every level of experience.
Wrap up
From scenic walks to boozy days out and adrenaline-pumping adventures, the Wirral offers it all. If you’re looking for something bigger then Liverpool can offer a level up in terms of choice and liveliness or Wales can offer a level down in terms of calmness too so you’re in a good spot close to a lot of good options for things to do on the Wirral for adults and couples.
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