Outings,Travel

A day out in New Brighton

Crocuses in Vale Park

Crocuses in Vale Park

Living on the coast in Wirral we are pretty spoilt with nice places to go for a walk on a sunny spring day. There’s the beach and Hilbre Island at West Kirby, the gorgeous views and quiet little beach at Caldy, Red Rocks down in Hoylake and the sprawling common which joins on to the beach at Thurstaston.

Then there is the resort of New Brighton, traditionally all about the seaside, the amusements and the ferry it was the place to go in the 60s for a sunny day right across the water from Liverpool. It once had a tower higher than Blackpool’s, but that was sadly neglected and taken down just after the First World War, the metal sold for scrap.

New Brighton these days is enjoying a bit of a resurgence. The seafront has seen a lot of investment and there are lots of new bars and restaurants by the prom, bringing in more visitors and putting it back on the map for a family day out.

Flo in Blackberry Grove

There’s the Black Pearl pirate ship, a community art project which has turned into a local treasure. A wooden boat on the beach which kids love to play on, similar to its little sister ship in Hoylake, the Grace Darling.

We played on there the other day with my friend Karen – who blogs at Mini Travellers – and her twin girls. Flo loves hanging out with the bigger girls and they all get on so well. They were more than happy to have a scoot down the prom to the ship before we walked across to Vale Park to check out the fairy garden there.

The park is on the hill going up from the prom, and as you walk up you get an amazing view across the River Mersey to Liverpool’s waterfront. A long time before I started this blog I had an idea to write about the parks which had the most beautiful settings – an idea which came to me in Barcelona, but still, this park would make it onto that list!

New Brighton beach http://rainbeaubellle.com

The fairy garden at Vale Park

There’s something about the light in March that makes everything seem much brighter. Just looking at the crocuses peeking out of the grass made me feel better, in a week which has been quite upsetting for me it was nice to have a break and a breath of fresh air with the girls.

The park’s fairy village was made by the community too, and local children have been encouraged to add to it by collecting stones from the beach, decorating them with their names and leaving them in the park. It’s well worth a visit if you’re nearby.

While we were in New Brighton we went along to try a new cafe called Blackberry Grove. It’s a short walk from the main prom but well worth it for the fresh, independent vibe and diverse menu. Much as I love a pizza and a glass of wine, this place offers plenty of choice including veggie options like the gorgeous tofu kebabs I had and the halloumi and chilli fritters which Karen tried. So good!

The kids menu was really lovely too, homemade food in big portions which the girls all loved. Burgers and chicken goujons are on the menu for the little ones, and they were all so nicely made the grown ups ended up polishing them off!

We’ll definitely be back to New Brighton again soon.

x Julia

Ice cream

Fairy garden Vale Park

Blackberry Grove

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8 Comments

  • Reply
    Katie LifeonVistaStreet Haydock
    March 19, 2016 at 9:28 pm

    This looks like a day out that was needed Julia and it looks like you had a fabulous time. I must admit, we’re only about an hour or so away and I do always forget that New Brighton is right there. I haven’t been for a very long time so it’d be nice to go and see what it looks like now xXx
    Katie LifeonVistaStreet Haydock recently posted…6 Books You Should Read With Your Two Year OldMy Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      March 21, 2016 at 8:31 pm

      It really is a lovely place to visit and there is loads to do if you came over for the day. xx

  • Reply
    Rachel @ The Ordinary Lovely
    March 20, 2016 at 9:23 pm

    Julia!!! These are absolutely my favourite types of posts to read. Lovely photos, lots of information about places to visit, and yummy food. Please, please do more. They’re a joy and always give me ideas for days out xx
    Rachel @ The Ordinary Lovely recently posted…A Kid’s Room FakeoverMy Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      March 21, 2016 at 8:30 pm

      Ah Rachel thank you! That is a lovely comment, ok then, for you I will do some more! I have been thinking of a few more round Liverpool so I will get on it. You must come along one time! xxx

  • Reply
    mummyofboygirltwins
    March 24, 2016 at 1:03 pm

    Lovely and such a pretty place! You do live in a lovely part of the UK xx
    mummyofboygirltwins recently posted…Working for myself: the highs and lowsMy Profile

  • Reply
    Hayley @hayleyfromhome
    March 24, 2016 at 8:48 pm

    I love this post Julia, it’s so nice to read about somewhere local and see your beautiful photographs. I remember going to New Brighton with my Nana and Grandad as a child and when I went back with Lucas a couple of years ago I was surprised how nice it was, such a great day out. I keep promising Lucas a trip back to see the pirate ship and I’d love to go and see the park, I don’t think I’ve ever been. We really must try and meet up at Calderstones Park or Sefton Park when I finally get all my boys well, you can continue your park series then 🙂 xx
    Hayley @hayleyfromhome recently posted…Twin TalkMy Profile

  • Reply
    Tracey Williams
    March 25, 2016 at 9:35 pm

    We went to New Brighton on Mothers Day and it was my first visit in 20 years. We had such a wonderful few hours walking along the prom, popping into the arcade and looking at the funny camel on the beach. We must of missed the fairy garden which is a shame. But we said we will definitely be back in the summer as we are only about 40 minutes away from New Brighton x
    Tracey Williams recently posted…10 Tips for visiting The Crocky Trail in ChesterMy Profile

  • Reply
    Mini Travellers
    May 2, 2016 at 7:42 pm

    Can’t believe it was sunnier then than it is at the moment. Lovely day!
    Mini Travellers recently posted…#UKexplore – April 2016My Profile

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