Places to explore in MerseysideEngland · North West England

A hundred cast-iron Antony Gormley figures planted along two miles of Crosby beach, all facing the sea and drowning twice a day.

Pinewoods, tall dunes and a wide beach on the coast north of Liverpool, home to red squirrels and ancient footprints uncovered by the tide

The ordinary Liverpool semi where John Lennon grew up, kept as it was when his Aunt Mimi ran the house

Half-timbered Tudor manor with knot garden.

The world's first publicly funded park, by Joseph Paxton, inspiration for Central Park.

Giles Gilbert Scott's red sandstone giant, built between 1904 and 1978 and the largest cathedral in Britain.

Frederick Gibberd's round 1960s Catholic cathedral, known locally as Paddy's Wigwam, lit by a lantern tower of coloured glass.

Wooded National Trust hill above Caldy with a sandstone beacon, looking out over the Dee estuary to the Welsh mountains.

Three red-sandstone tidal islands off West Kirby, walked to across the sands at low tide, with grey seals and wading birds

Grand gallery at the heart of Port Sunlight, built by Lord Leverhulme for his collection of Pre-Raphaelites, Wedgwood and fine furniture.

Sand dunes, reed beds and red sandstone at the north-west tip of the Wirral near Hoylake, a fine spot for birds and sunsets.

Large saltwater lake on the Dee front at West Kirby, busy with sailing and paddleboards and ringed by a popular promenade.