Now that all School of Medicine year groups are back on campus for face-to-face clinical teaching, and as the evenings get brighter and lockdown restrictions continue to ease, it is a great time to get out and about and enjoy the outdoor spaces Liverpool has to offer.
But for those who are relatively new to the city, and even some who aren’t, there can be outdoor attractions and places of interest still to discover. To unearth more of these, the Mednews team is excited to launch a summer term #LivUniMedLoves campaign.
What’s your favourite place to take a walk or jog, or grab a takeaway coffee and snack and hang out with friends? Share it using #LivUniMedLoves and let’s build a summer term ‘Must visit’ list!
Liverpool Festival Gardens
“Located near Otterspool Promenade and not too far from Liverpool City Centre, the Festival Gardens is a hidden gem for those seeking out a space for tranquillity. Featuring pagodas, lakes, and waterfalls it’s hard to believe this space used to be the site of a landfill. It’s one of my favourite places to explore because it’s so different to the hustle and bustle of town. Being able to move from that amazing energy of buskers and people to this place of quiet is such a special thing to have in a city. It’s also a really great spot for a picnic!”
Danielle Rawlinson, Stakeholder Engagement Administrative Officer
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Calderstones Park
“A former stomping ground of John Lennon, Calderstones Park is full of leafy nooks and hidden spots waiting to be discovered. The park is home to a Japanese garden, the 1000 year old Allerton Oak tree and the Calderstones, a set of ancient monuments which predate even the pyramids. It’s also the base of The Reader, a social enterprise which delivers shared reading groups across the country. If you need a rest from exploring and dog-watching, grab a snack from The Reader’s ice cream parlour and take a seat outside.”
Andrew Parkinson, Digital Communications Officer
Wavertree Playground aka ‘The Mystery’
“This 104-acre park gets its colloquial name from its mysterious origins as it was anonymously donated to Liverpool Corporation in 1895. Although it doesn’t boast some of the fancier facilities of its neighbouring parks, there’s something about the park’s vast green spaces and the backdrop of the city’s cathedrals in the distance that gives it a certain charm. It's great for runners and, just a stone’s throw from Smithdown Road and Allerton Road, you’ve got plenty of choice for picnic items. The recently planted wildflowers, part of a Scouse Flowerhouse project, will also make a colourful addition to the space.”
Lauren Mathews, Communications & Events Officer
Eleanor Rigby's Grave and Camp Hill (Woolton Village)
“It is so hard to choose - but for something a bit different I have opted for one of favourite spots, Woolton Village. Easily accessible by public transport from town and the Smithdown Lane area. There are great independent shops and cafes (they queue down the street for a coffee or a cocktail from One Percent Forest), a monthly market, and plenty of beer gardens if you get thirsty en route. Just make sure you cut through Mason Street to see Liverpool's oldest cinema, Woolton Picture House, and pop out at St Peter's Churchyard to visit the grave which inspired The Beatles hit.
John and Paul used to swim at the historic Woolton Baths which you pass on you way to Woolton Woods and Camp Hill, a stones throw from the Village Centre and a great place for a stroll and a picnic. You might see me there, walking the dog!"
Robyn McKeown, Marketing and Student Engagement Lead
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Those are our favourite spring time hangouts, now how about yours? Share your pics using #LivUniMedLoves and tag us at @LivUniMedicine. We’ll be highlighting your fave spots throughout the term.