New recruit Penny is sniffing out the best green spaces

This National Love Your Pet Day (20th Feb) we've recruited a furry new member of the team, Penny, to sniff out some of Liverpool's best places to explore! 🐾

Since it's Get up and Go week this Feel Good February, there's no better time to check out some of Liverpool's best green spaces and nature spots 🌳

Whether you want to wrap up and get out there now or explore with your flatmates this Spring, here's a few spots for you to try (recommended by our four-legged friend) ⬇️

Sefton Park

Grade I listed and home to the Palm House and the lake, Sefton Park is a guaranteed wholesome place to run, walk or stroll.

It’s also a super popular place for gigs, concerts and festivals so keep your eyes peeled for any upcoming events e.g. coming up this June is Africa Oyé!

On the edge of Sefton Park is Lark Lane where you can stroll and explore its many local, independent cafés, restaurants, bars and shops! You might spot Penny having a pup cup here 🐾

Palm House at Sefton Park 

This Victorian Palm House is set right in the heart of Sefton Park! So if you're taking a stroll and the weather has other plans for you, you can dive right into this indoor botanical garden!

You'll find a mix of free and paid events at this venue, plus a cute café! Penny gives this park 5 paws out of 5 🐾

From 15-17th May you'll find the pop up Spring Market at the Palm House where you'll find live music and some of the city's best produce from local independent artists and vendors.

Greenbank Park 

Just a few minutes away from Sefton Park is Greenbank park, a smaller green space just but just as beautiful and popular in the sunshine. It's a quieter spot so if you head there on a nice day, you can take a book with you or some revision. Did we mention it's a good place for cute dog spotting too? 👀

The Watering Can is a café located in the park so you can get your coffee, matcha or cake to-go fix!

🚎 How to get to Greenbank and Sefton Park

From on-campus Halls: Take the 699 directly from campus to Greenbank Student Village and you’ll be right next to Greenbank Park. If you want to go to Sefton Park from here, make your way down Greenbank Lane for just a few minutes and you’ll be there in no time.

From Greenbank: If you live in Greenbank Student Village, you’ll be lucky enough to live minutes away from these two amazing parks.

Calderstones Park & Princes Park

Calderstones Park is another of the city's best green spaces with its bookshop café, mansion house with exhibitions, Japanese garden and lake. 

🚎 From on campus Halls: You can take the 75 or 86c bus from the city centre.

From Greenbank? You can jump on the 76 bus from Smithdown Road.

Princes Park is a Grade II listed park and well worth a visit! This park is best known for its green spaces and doesn't have a café onsite so may be a better option if you're a keen runner looking for a new place to try 🌱

🚎 From on campus Halls: You can take the 80, 75 or 80a bus from the city centre.

From Greenbank? You can also take the 75, 76 or 80a bus from Smithdown road or walk for about 35 minutes.

 To the beach

Crosby beach and Formby beach are two great afternoons out if you're looking to go further afield!

Formby beach is the most well linked by train from Liverpool city centre. You can go from Liverpool city centre to Freshfield and walk through Pinewoods to get to Formby's sand dunes and beach. Find out more on Merseyrail's website here.

As the days get longer and the weather improves, there's no better time to make your must-visit Liverpool bucket list and get out there exploring!

Good work Penny! Time for a treat and well-deserved nap 🐾

Don't forget you can book onto a Sustainable Halls nature walk, meet new people and explore with other students living in Halls. Coming up is a visit to Helsby Hill on 27th Feb and Burton Mere Nature Reserve on 24th April .