What to do and see in Merseyside, England: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do

The Black Pearl is an interactive artwork to be enjoyed by all age groups it has been created and maintained by a small group of pasionate pirates. Allow your imagination to soar or just absorb the work and detail in the carefully selected driftwood and ships ropes. There are many sculptures and carvings to be found on and around the ship . If your lucky you may even find treasure in her treasure chest. The golden sands surrounding The Pearl are cleaned every day and perfect for the children to play on. The area of Cosy Cove is loved and treasured by the local community who always keep a close eye on her. Pirates At Art

A scenic renovated area of Liverpool that hosts the famous Tate Gallery, home to a wide range of world-class art, and the Beatles Museum, a tribute to the famous rock group.

On Easter Monday 1847, the gates were opened to the very first publicly funded park in the world. Designed by Sir Joseph Paxton - Birkenhead Park was created to be the People's Garden - a place where the lowliest peasant to the British Monarch could stand together to enjoy a piece of the countryside in the middle of the city. In 1850, Fredrick Law Olmstead visited the park and with its inspiration, then went on to design and create what is arguably the most famous public park in the world - Central Park New York. In 2004 Birkenhead Park underwent an £11.8million restoration return it to its former glory. Today, Birkenhead Park is a Grade I listed landscape and carries the prestigious Green Heritage Award. It caters for all visitors with a number of sports such as Football, Cricket, Bowls, Angling and cycling, as well a visitors centre and access to some of the original structures around the park.

The Lady Lever Art Gallery is a real treasure, housing a stunning collection of paintings including many Pre-Raphaelite masterpieces, the world's finest collection of Wedgwood jasperware, exquisite furniture, Chinese ceramics, tapestries and sculpture, Paintings on display include works by Reynolds, Gainsborough, Stubbs, Turner, Leighton, Millais, Rossetti, Burne-Jones, Holman Hunt and Waterhouse, to name but a few. Admission is free, booking essential at www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ladylever

At Merseyside Maritime Museum you can explore the history of the great port of Liverpool, with four floors of galleries: Seized! The Border and Customs uncovered; the Emigration gallery; Liverpool: World Gateway; the Titanic, Lusitania and Empress of Ireland gallery; the Battle of the Atlantic; the Art and the Sea Gallery; and the temporary exhibition space. The museum also includes the 2010 Michelin Guide-listed Maritime Dining Rooms, a café, shop and lecture theatre.

Knowsley Safari Park was opened to the public in July 1971 by the 18th Earl of Derby. Then, the `safari park' concept of having visitors in cages (cars) and the animals roaming free based on the drive-through game reserves of East Africa was unique. In 1994, Edward Stanley, the 19th Earl, succeeded to the title. The estate being only 8 miles (13 km) from Liverpool city centre, Knowsley was the first safari park to be built close to a large city. In spite of some understandable apprehension about the possible problems associated with large numbers of animals (including lions) roaming about close to the city, the then County and District councils approved the proposals.In the first two years of opening, the route through Knowsley Safari Park consisted of a 3½ mile (5.6 km) drive, and the main attractions were lions, cheetahs, monkeys, giraffes, zebra, elephants and various antelopes. The park proved immensely popular, so in 1973 an extension, including a further 1½ miles (2.4km) of road, was built and opened. This allowed more animals to be added to the collection on display along the now 5-mile- (8 km) long route, including herds of camels, buffalo and white rhino as well as a group of tigers.A few modifications to the original design have had to be made for safety and display reasons. The tigers and lions are now displayed in enclosures within the game reserves, and the elephants have their own paddock in the walk around section at the end of the safari drive. We also have a car friendly route around the outside of the monkey jungle for visitors who do not wish to have a close encounter with our baboons. Knowsley Safari Park has become one of Merseyside's premier leisure attractions, winning several awards for tourism and it's animal husbandry.

A major public library and archive service in a building with a unique blend of old and new architecture dating back to 1860. It is free and fully accessible to visit and there are excellent facilities throughout. It includes a Tourist Information Centre, cafe, free Wi-Fi and computers, printing, study spaces, bookable meeting rooms, and a roof terrace. There are books for lending, including graphic novels, large print and audio books, language courses, CDs and DVDs. There is a children's library in a transformed historic space with a large collection of books. Free events are put on during school holidays. There are extensive reference collections, some of which are housed in the magnificent circular Picton Reading Room. Special collections and rare books are held in the historic Oak Room and Hornby Library where exhibitions can be seen. Extensive archives from the 13th century onwards are held and family and local history can be researched. There is also a Business and IP Centre.