The sun is shining, the daffodils are blooming and it is finally starting to feel like springtime. Though this week will be much chillier than the last - with temperatures nearing 20°C last weekend - the sky is still blue and the conditions are ideal for a lovely spring walk.

With this in mind, we have put together a guide to Liverpool and Merseyside’s most beautiful green spaces and botanical gardens, which offer the chance for a picturesque stroll surrounded by nature.

Take a look at the gallery below and discover the beauty of Merseyside this spring.

1. Wirral Country Park, Thurstaston, Wirral

Wirral Country Park was the first designated Country Park in Britain. The Green Flag park offers spectacular views, a cafe, a lake and ample space for a long walk. | Jeff Buck

2. Festival Gardens, Otterspool, Liverpool

Located just outside of Liverpool city centre, Festival Gardens is a beautiful green space, perfect for a spring walk. It has a Japanese garden, rose garden, woodland paths, waterfalls and more. | User Rept0n1x via Wikimedia

3. Birkenhead Park, Birkenhead, Wirral

With nearly 140 acres of parkland, beautiful woodlands and an almost 180-year history, Birkenhead Park is one of Merseyside’s most popular urban green spaces. It even inspired New York's Central Park. | Emma Dukes

4. Botanic Gardens, Churchtown, Southport.

Originally opened in 1874, these Victorian gardens are filled with beautiful flowers and plants, and they are free to visit. The gardens are based in Churchtown, and there is a gift shop, cafe and places to have a picnic. | Peter/stock.adobe

Explore Liverpool and Merseyside this spring with our guide to 19 beautiful parks and botanical gardens, perfect for a sunny stroll.

The sun is shining, the daffodils are blooming and it is finally starting to feel like springtime. Though this week will be much chillier than the last - with temperatures nearing 20°C last weekend - the sky is still blue and the conditions are ideal for a lovely spring walk.

With this in mind, we have put together a guide to Liverpool and Merseyside’s most beautiful green spaces and botanical gardens, which offer the chance for a picturesque stroll surrounded by nature.

Take a look at the gallery below and discover the beauty of Merseyside this spring.

5. The Walled Garden, Croxteth Country Park, Liverpool

This secret Victorian garden is filled with beautiful flowers, crops and historic features. Hidden by high walls, it is a community garden right next to Croxteth Hall, perfect for a lovely family stroll. | Local TV

6. Princes Park, Toxteth, Liverpool

Many moons ago, Princes Park was part of Toxteth's hunting forests and had Royal Park status. The Princes Park we know and love today was designed by Joseph Paxton and opened in 1842. He hoped to build grand houses on the park’s perimeter which, once sold, would cover the park’s cost. Paxton’s designs include the lake, grand entrances and footpaths. | Friends of Princes Park

7. Wavertree Botanic Gardens, Wavertree, Liverpool

Wavertree Botanic Garden and Park is a mid-19th century public park, with Grade II listed status. The beautiful park features a walled garden and children’s play area. | User Rept0n1x via Wikimedia

8. Ness Botanic Gardens, Little Neston, Wirral

Ness Botanic Gardens is home to 64 acres of diverse landscapes and plants filled with wildlife. It is open every day from 10.00am to 4.00pm and £9.25 for an adult ticket without gift aid. The huge gardens are perfect for a spring walk. | Steve Daniels via Wikimedia

Explore Liverpool and Merseyside this spring with our guide to 19 beautiful parks and botanical gardens, perfect for a sunny stroll.

The sun is shining, the daffodils are blooming and it is finally starting to feel like springtime. Though this week will be much chillier than the last - with temperatures nearing 20°C last weekend - the sky is still blue and the conditions are ideal for a lovely spring walk.

With this in mind, we have put together a guide to Liverpool and Merseyside’s most beautiful green spaces and botanical gardens, which offer the chance for a picturesque stroll surrounded by nature.

Take a look at the gallery below and discover the beauty of Merseyside this spring.

9. Sefton Park, Aigburth, Liverpool

Sefton Park opened its gates in 1872, with the iconic Palm House opening four years later. The Grade II listed 200-acre Park has many amazing features, such as the nearly 100-year-old bronze Peter Pan statue, a tranquil fairy glen, lake and ample green space. Despite a period of trouble for the park following the bombing of the Palm House in 1941, it is arguably Liverpool's most popular park and the restored glass dome is truly magnificent. | Paul - stock.adobe.com

10. Falkner Square Gardens, Toxteth, Liverpool

Falkner Square is a garden and park in the heart of the Georgian Quarter. The garden borders contain ornamental grasses, herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees of interest. It also includes colourful and scented plants which would have been exhibited in the nearby original Botanic Gardens. | John Bradley via Wikimedia

11. Vale Park, New Brighton, Wirral

Vale Park is a historic Victorian park in New Brighton, with a rose garden, bandstand and formal gardens. The Green Flag park offers beautiful views across the Mersey. | Phil Nash CC 4.0

12. Speke Hall, Speke, Liverpool

The gardens of this Tudor manor house are usually laced with colourful flowers during the springtime. Surrounded by a green oasis, this trail is family and dog friendly and there is so much to do and explore. | mrallen - stock.adobe.com

Explore Liverpool and Merseyside this spring with our guide to 19 beautiful parks and botanical gardens, perfect for a sunny stroll.

The sun is shining, the daffodils are blooming and it is finally starting to feel like springtime. Though this week will be much chillier than the last - with temperatures nearing 20°C last weekend - the sky is still blue and the conditions are ideal for a lovely spring walk.

With this in mind, we have put together a guide to Liverpool and Merseyside’s most beautiful green spaces and botanical gardens, which offer the chance for a picturesque stroll surrounded by nature.

Take a look at the gallery below and discover the beauty of Merseyside this spring.

14. Everton Park Nature Garden, Everton, Liverpool

Everton Park is a popular spot to relax during the spring and summer months, and its nature garden is a gem. It has two small lakes and natural wildlife. | Phil Nash via Wikimedia

15. Royden Park, Frankby, Wirral

Royden Park is a vast open space perfect for a spring walk, with plenty of woodland and greenery to explore and stunning views of the estuary. | Heather Dukes

16. Calderstones Park, Woolton, Liverpool

Home to ancient stones, that are said to be older than Stonehenge, Calderstones Park is filled with history. The Calder Stones formed a neolithic monument built by the very first Liverpudlians over 4,000 years ago and the park is also home to the extraordinary Allerton Oak, which is believed to be more than 1,000 years old. The park is also home to a lovely cafe. | Emma Dukes

Explore Liverpool and Merseyside this spring with our guide to 19 beautiful parks and botanical gardens, perfect for a sunny stroll.

The sun is shining, the daffodils are blooming and it is finally starting to feel like springtime. Though this week will be much chillier than the last - with temperatures nearing 20°C last weekend - the sky is still blue and the conditions are ideal for a lovely spring walk.

With this in mind, we have put together a guide to Liverpool and Merseyside’s most beautiful green spaces and botanical gardens, which offer the chance for a picturesque stroll surrounded by nature.

Take a look at the gallery below and discover the beauty of Merseyside this spring.

17. Woolton Woods and Camphill, Woolton, Liverpool

A decently-sized country park within the city of Liverpool with sweeping meadows and luscious views ranging from the River Mersey and Welsh hills. Containing a woodland area rich with wildlife, this site would be a great place to take a stroll across over 80 acres of land. The area is also enhanced with a pool and sunken garden and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. | WWC

18. Port Sunlight River Park, Port Sunlight, Wirral

Port Sunlight River Park is a wetland and green space with beautiful views of the Mersey and North Wales. Visitors can stroll along almost three miles of footpaths. | Mihacel, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Historically GPs have one of the highest public satisfaction ratings of any public service but this has recently 'deteriorated'

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The 'burden of ill health' and levels of deprivation make it harder to recruit GPs in one part of Merseyside, according to a NHS health boss.

The challenges around GP recruitment in Knowsley were discussed at a Health & Social Care committee meeting last night Tuesday March 11 where elected members were asked to approve a report into the borough's Primary Care health services.

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The report noted that historically, GPs have one of the highest public satisfaction ratings of any public service. However, in recent years public perception of access to General Practice has seen 'deterioration in sentiment'.

Patient surveys reveal that a perceived access issue to GP appointments is of significant concern and cited improved access as a top priority for patients.

There are 23 GP practices in Knowsley which provide approximately 85,000 patient consultations each month and all 23 are currently operating with an ‘open’ patient list. Knowsley has 55.14 GPs per 100,000 registered patients which compares unfavourably with both Cheshire and Merseyside (67.3) and England as a whole (58.6).

Furthermore, the numbers of patients served by GP practices in Knowsley continues to rise by approximately 1% each year - there are currently 173,873 patients registered. General Practices in the borough are providing more appointments than ever before with 821,261 appointments booked between 1st April 2024 and 31st January 2025 - compared to 754,091 for the corresponding period in 2023/24 and 727,287 in 2022/23.

The overall numbers of both face-to face and home visit appointments provided by GP practices in Knowsley has grown for each of the past three years. A greater proportion of these appointments are provided on a ‘face-to-face’ basis in Knowsley (68.7%) than across Cheshire and Merseyside (64.1%) and England as a whole (65.7%).

Nonetheless, there is still a notable dissatisfaction with perceived access to primary care services and the report notes one of the challenges in improving this area is GP recruitment.

Responding to the report, cllr Joan Lilly asked: "Picking up on something [...] mentioned in the presentation, in terms of it being too difficult to work in Knowsley that set alarm bells ringing.

"In the report, it's saying that the number of patients is rising by 1% every year and it's going to go even more because we are expanding as a borough with families and housing."

"It's not that it's difficult to work in Knowsley, it's more a case of I think when it comes to recruiting, GPS in particular, we have great success with those practices who have over training practices who are able to introduce GPS and work with those people and develop those personal relationships with professionals, so that it allows those GPS to see themselves working in Knowsley in the future, because they're training in Knowsley.

"But in a competitive market [...] they will have lots of places who will be happy to offer them a job and Knowsley, with its levels of deprivation, with its levels of burden of ill health, it's a difficult place to work for a GP, it's a challenging place to work because you see lots of people who need lots of help and support and it's probably true to say that there are, for some GPS, what they might perceive to be a nicer job in leafier areas of the country and elsewhere that they might choose to go and work in.

"So in terms of making Knowsley the attractive place to work, the borough of choice, if you will, for our GPS, who are trained at Whiston in particular, that's the work that we need to try and do [...] it's allowing those trainees to see the kind of satisfaction you get from working around in this area."

Around 25,000 fans are expected to attend the second event at Bramley-Moore Dock later this month

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Updated 15:00, 12 Mar 2025

(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)

Extra train and bus services are to be put on for the second test event at Everton’s new stadium as well as a special ferry for matchgoing fans. Around 25,000 fans are expected at the under-21 friendly match on Sunday March 23 as part of preparations for the new 52,888-capacity stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock ahead of its full opening later this year.

After meeting with fans groups and representatives from Everton FC, transport chiefs have announced additional services are to be laid on across the region’s rail, bus and ferry networks next weekend. Plans include a special 5pm direct Mersey Ferries sailing between the Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal at Liverpool’s Pier Head and Seacombe – a service which could become a regular matchday feature if passenger numbers are high enough.

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Following the first test event last month, officials came in for criticism particularly around capacity at Sandhills station and development of a fan management zone. Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said changes had been made based on fan feedback to deliver “the best matchday experience possible".

Ahead of the game on March 23, which kicks off at 2pm, Sunday rail services are to be increased before and after the event, with Merseyrail trains running every 15 minutes – instead of the normal 30 minutes - on the Hunts Cross, Southport and Ormskirk branches of the Northern Line, with eight car trains operating where possible. Services on the Wirral Line will run to a normal Sunday timetable.

As well as commercial bus services, an increased number of shuttle buses will operate ahead of and following the event – both from Liverpool city centre and Bootle bus station - with park and ride options available at both locations. The new stadium is also easily accessible on foot from Liverpool city centre. Fans are being asked to plan their journeys and think about the best mode of travel for them.

Mr Rotheram said: “Everton’s new stadium is a massive moment – not just for the club, but for the regeneration of North Liverpool. We want to make sure fans can get to and from matches easily, safely, and sustainably, while keeping disruption to local residents to a minimum.

“That’s why we’re working closely with Everton, transport operators, the council, and, most importantly, supporters themselves, to make sure we get this right. The test events are a key part of that – helping us see what works, what doesn’t, and what needs improving before the first league game in August.

“We’ve already made changes based on fan feedback, including putting on additional transport services, and we’ll keep listening. This is about making sure we get the best matchday experience possible – not just for Evertonians, but for the whole city region.”

Mersey Ferries will operate a Sunday timetable, starting at 10am from Pier Head, then 10.20am at Seacombe until the last sailing at 4pm. The stadium is a 30 mins walk from the Pier Head.

A special service at 5pm from Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal at Liverpool Pier Head to Seacombe will be laid on for match goers who wish to use the Ferry and walk to and from the stadium. If used frequently enough this could be a new service to serve future match events at the new stadium.

Colin Chong, Everton interim chief executive and chief stadium development officer, added: “All parties are united and working together, in consultation with supporters, to ensure the matchday and non-matchday experience at Everton Stadium is the best it can be. That starts with travel to and from the stadium and an area of the city that is set for huge regeneration in the decades ahead.

“Our test events are designed to stress test the stadium and also understand supporter behaviours in terms of how they reach the stadium. We have taken a lot from the first event and I have no doubt we will learn even more later this month when we open our doors to almost two-thirds as many Evertonians for the second test event.

“The importance of travel to supporters, especially those with accessibility needs, is not lost on anyone. We have already taken on board fan feedback from that event and, alongside our colleagues from the local council, combined authority and transport authorities, have committed to continue open dialogue and to enhance communication around transport as we welcome more and more people.”

Discover 15 delightful cats and dogs eager to find loving families in Liverpool and Merseyside. Could you provide one of these adorable pets with their forever home?

These delightful cats and dogs are in need of new loving homes in Liverpool and Merseyside.

While the RSPCA’s Liverpool branch has now closed, dozens of adorable animals are available to adopt in and around Liverpool, through the Wirral and Chester rescue centre (Wallasey) or the Southport, Ormskirk and District centre (Halsall).

A variety of dog breeds and cats of different ages are available, and they would love the chance to find a permanent place to call home as soon as possible and meet their forever humans.

Below are 15 super cute cats and dogs up for adoption in Merseyside. Take a look at the gallery and see if you could provide them with a fresh start. For more information about how to adopt, visit https://www.rspca.org.uk/.

1. Luka

Luka is a gorgeous cat who would thrive the most in a home where people are around for most of the day but also in a nice quiet/steady environment. He is located at the Wirral & Chester branch. | RSPCA

2. Nelson - crossbreed

Nelson is a lovely 10-month-old crossbreed, looking for a home where he will have human company with him most of the time. He is also looking for a calm home where children are 16+. He is located at the Southport, Ormskirk & District branch. | RSPCA

3. Blackie

Blackie and Sooty find themselves in care after sadly their owner passed away and nobody else could care for them. They are located at the Wirral & Chester centre. | RSPCA

4. Sooty

Blackie and Sooty find themselves in care after sadly their owner passed away and nobody else could care for them. They are located at the Wirral & Chester centre. | RSPCA

Discover 15 delightful cats and dogs eager to find loving families in Liverpool and Merseyside. Could you provide one of these adorable pets with their forever home?

These delightful cats and dogs are in need of new loving homes in Liverpool and Merseyside.

While the RSPCA’s Liverpool branch has now closed, dozens of adorable animals are available to adopt in and around Liverpool, through the Wirral and Chester rescue centre (Wallasey) or the Southport, Ormskirk and District centre (Halsall).

A variety of dog breeds and cats of different ages are available, and they would love the chance to find a permanent place to call home as soon as possible and meet their forever humans.

5. Paddy - American Bulldog

Paddy is a two-year-old American Bulldog. This young chap is on the bigger side, so at 30kg needs an owner who is confident at walking a larger dog as Paddy can pull quite strong on the lead. He is currently living at the Southport, Ormskirk & District branch. | RSPCA

6. Floyd - Bully cross

Floyd is a ten-month old Bully cross. He is generally well behaved and loves the company of people. Floyd has been lucky enough to spend most of his life in foster care, where he has learnt to be a well-rounded happy pup. He is located at the Wirral & Chester RSPCA branch. | RSPCA

7. Magpie

Magpie is a lovely cat located at the Wirral & Chester branch. She likes to hide in her cat tree (which is her safe spot), making her a little difficult to spot at times. Magpie would thrive in a calmer environment where she can come out of her shell at her own pace. | RSPCA

8. Chase - Cane Corso cross

Chase is a two-year-old Cane Corso cross. He hasn’t spent much time in a home environment, he will need toilet training and helped in his new home to adjust. He is looking for an active household who can give him plenty of exercise to keep him happy and healthy. He is currently living at the Southport, Ormskirk & District branch. | RSPCA

Discover 15 delightful cats and dogs eager to find loving families in Liverpool and Merseyside. Could you provide one of these adorable pets with their forever home?

These delightful cats and dogs are in need of new loving homes in Liverpool and Merseyside.

While the RSPCA’s Liverpool branch has now closed, dozens of adorable animals are available to adopt in and around Liverpool, through the Wirral and Chester rescue centre (Wallasey) or the Southport, Ormskirk and District centre (Halsall).

A variety of dog breeds and cats of different ages are available, and they would love the chance to find a permanent place to call home as soon as possible and meet their forever humans.

9. Bruce

Bruce is a lovely six-year-old cat who is very friendly and does love company however he does like to do his own thing every now and then. He is located at the Wirral & Chester branch. | RSPCA

10. Smithy - Lurcher

Smithy is a ten-year-old Lurcher. Smithy has a few lumps and bumps on his underside which the vet has said are fatty lumps, as a result of this, the RSPCA are looking for Smithy to go to a local foster home so that these can be monitored at the animal centre and would remain under the care of the local vet. He is located at the Wirral & Chester RSPCA branch. | RSPCA

11. Hank

Hamk is a friendly giant who loves being picked up and cuddled. He is looking for his forever home after being outside for a while searching the streets for food, as he was a stray. He is located at the Wirral & Chester branch. | RSPCA

12. Scooby - Lurcher

Scooby is a three-year-old Lurcher cross. He is very friendly but also very bouncy, energetic and strong, so he will need a home to reflect his needs. He will be suitable for an experienced home with owners who have an active lifestyle. He can be rehomed with older teenagers who are used to dogs. He is located at the Wirral & Chester branch. | RSPCA

Discover 15 delightful cats and dogs eager to find loving families in Liverpool and Merseyside. Could you provide one of these adorable pets with their forever home?

These delightful cats and dogs are in need of new loving homes in Liverpool and Merseyside.

While the RSPCA’s Liverpool branch has now closed, dozens of adorable animals are available to adopt in and around Liverpool, through the Wirral and Chester rescue centre (Wallasey) or the Southport, Ormskirk and District centre (Halsall).

A variety of dog breeds and cats of different ages are available, and they would love the chance to find a permanent place to call home as soon as possible and meet their forever humans.

13. Penguin

Penguin found himself at the centre after being found wondering the streets with a very nasty abscess on the left side of his face. Luckily he was brought to the vets and is now recovered. He is located at the Wirral & Chester branch. | RSPCA

14. Luna - Bully cross

Luna is a ten-month-old Bull breed whose new owners will need to continue her positive reward based training, to include lead work as she can pull on the lead. Luna also needs a home with consistency and routine to help her become a well-rounded adult dog. She is looking for an adult only home with no other animals, and with someone who is home most of the time. She is located at the Southport, Ormskirk & District branch. | RSPCA

15. Donovan - Bulldog cross

Donovan is a Bulldog cross who is ideally looking for a home where he is the only pet, although he may potentially be able to live with a dog-savvy cat. He is also looking for a family where children are no younger than 16 years old. He is located at the Southport, Ormskirk & District branch. | RSPCA

Liverpool approaches the Merseyside derby with Everton as the undisputed leaders of the championship. The Reds are demonstrating top-class football, having suffered only one defeat in 29 Premier League matches. These statistics do not just speak of stability — they scream dominance. The team has scored 69 goals, conceding only 27, which indicates an excellent balance between attack and defense. For any football prediction on Liverpool’s performance, these numbers make them clear favorites.

The last five matches confirm the excellent form of the Merseysiders: four wins and only one defeat to PSG in European competitions. An impressive goal difference of +42 is the best indicator among all teams in the top five European leagues this season.

Match Information and Key Details

Tactical Puzzles

In anticipation of the derby, the coaching staff of Liverpool is preparing a special strategy against David Moyes’ team. Everton, led by the Scottish specialist, traditionally relies on pragmatic football with an emphasis on defense and quick counterattacks. The recent results of the “Toffees” — only one win in five matches and four defeats — indicate serious problems that Liverpool will certainly take advantage of. Analysts note that the Reds are especially effective against teams playing from defense this season, thanks to a diverse tactical arsenal and the ability to break down even the densest defensive redoubts.

The Toffees’ Achilles’ Heel

Analyzing Everton’s recent games, we can identify key weaknesses that Liverpool must exploit:

These shortcomings are especially noticeable in the Toffees’ away games, where Moyes’ team often loses control of the game. Notably, Everton conceded 67% of their goals in the second half, which indicates serious problems with physical preparation and game discipline during the match.

Anfield – An Impregnable Fortress

Liverpool’s home stadium remains one of the most impregnable stadiums in Europe. Everton has not won at Anfield in the championship for more than two decades, which creates additional psychological pressure on visitors. The atmosphere of the Merseyside derby at Anfield is a separate factor that often becomes decisive in the confrontation between the eternal rivals. This season, the Reds have turned their home stadium into a real fortress, winning 11 out of 14 home league games.

Match Prediction

Considering the current form of both teams, the difference in class, and Liverpool’s historical advantage in home derbies, the Reds approach the match as clear favorites. However, the derby is always a special match, where statistics and the current position of the teams often fade into the background. Nevertheless, Liverpool’s class should tell — a victory for the hosts with a difference of two goals is expected. The statistics of the last five head-to-head meetings eloquently speak in favor of Liverpool: 3 wins and 1 draw, which only confirms the hegemony of the Reds in the Merseyside confrontation of recent years.