The best places in the UK for a staycation break have been ranked by Which? and Liverpool has scooped the No.1 spot, beating capital cities such as London, Cardiff and Belfast - while neighbouring Manchester doesn’t even make the top ten.
Consumer champions Which? polled almost 4,000 members about their experiences of visiting UK cities and towns in the last two years. All were scored out of five stars on a range of criteria including accommodation, food and drink, cultural sights and tourist attractions, ease of getting around, lack of crowds, and value for money. An overall city score was calculated based on visitors’ overall satisfaction and likeliness to recommend.
Liverpool took top spot in the large cities category with a city score of 84%. Edinburgh and York tied for second with scores of 83%.
Described as ‘lively’ and ‘buzzing’, Liverpool notched a full five stars in the cultural sights and tourist attractions category. The city also scored four stars for food and drink, shopping, accommodation, lack of crowds and value for money. One respondent said: “It's got everything you could possibly want. Great for eating places, great for sights and famous places and very friendly people.”
Top ten big cities for UK staycation breaks: 1. Liverpool (84%); 2. Edinburgh (83%); =2. York (83%); 4. Belfast (77%); 5. Glasgow (76%); =5. London (76%); 7. Newcastle (75%); 8. Portsmouth (74%); 9. Bristol (73%); 10. Cardiff (72%)
Of course, it’s no surprise to us that Liverpool came out on top. Home to beautiful artwork, unique monuments, spectacular green spaces and delicious food and drink, the only problem is that no trip will ever be long enough to explore everything it has to offer visitors.
So, to help, we have devised a list of must-visit attractions and activities for your flying visit - from tourist destinations that are truly worth the hype to the fanciest toilets the city has to offer.
Is it really worth catching a ferry across the Mersey, exploring the Albert Dock, heading out of the city to Sefton Park or trying to find all the Lambananas? Below are thirteen things you must do on a weekend or short-stay trip to Liverpool, to ensure you get the most out of our incredible city.
1. Explore the docks
Liverpool’s docks are absolutely beautiful and there are plenty of unique restaurants, shops and monuments to explore. Royal Albert Dock is the main destination but you can stroll all along the waterfront, taking in the museums, views and even indulge in a variety of water sports. | Emma DukesPhoto: Emma Dukes
2. Visit South Liverpool's stunning green spaces
If you want to escape the city centre for a couple of hours, South Liverpool is a great location, home to a number of gorgeous parks and green spaces such as Sefton Park and Calderstones Park. They are free to visit and filled with local history and beautiful monuments. | Emma DukesPhoto: Emma Dukes
3. Ferry across the Mersey
Mersey Ferries are one of Merseyside’s most visited attractions, allowing visitors and locals to hop on and experience the best of Liverpool and Wirral. You can’t visit Liverpool and not ferry across the Mersey. | Phil Nash/WikimediaPhoto: Phil Nash/Wikimedia
4. Admire our street art
Liverpool is home to tons of brilliant murals, with street art decorating streets around the city centre. From murals of sports icons to the much-loved wings on Jamaica Street, there is so much to discover. | Ian FairbrotherPhoto: Ian Fairbrother