Mersey Ferries

Where:-- River Mersey - There are 3 Ferry terminals in operation today, these are located in Seacombe, Birkenhead Woodside (these are both on the Wirral side or the River) and the Pier Head (Liverpool side of the River), However, at present the Pier head is not operational and the ferries are operating out of a temporary landing stage located at the Princes Dock. This is unfortunately due to the fact that earlier in 2006 a extremely high tide and ...
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What do Mersey ferries have to offer:-

Peak times - rush hour - There is a shuttle service for comuters which operates every half hour. In the morning there is complmentary coffee avaialble to all commuters and it is actually very good coffee, handy in the winter months when its a bit cold really warms you up.

River Explorer cruise - there are 2 routes that are operated, one for summer and one for the winter ... more

Where:-- River Mersey - There are 3 Ferry terminals in operation today, these are located in Seacombe, Birkenhead Woodside (these are both on the Wirral side or the River) and the Pier Head (Liverpool side of the River), However, at present the Pier head is not operational and the ferries are operating out of a temporary landing stage located at the Princes Dock. This is unfortunately due to the fact that earlier in 2006 a extremely high tide and a freak wave caused the Pier Head Landing stage to sink. work is in progress to resolve this issue asap.

What do Mersey ferries have to offer:-

Peak times - rush hour - There is a shuttle service for comuters which operates every half hour. In the morning there is complmentary coffee avaialble to all commuters and it is actually very good coffee, handy in the winter months when its a bit cold really warms you up.

River Explorer cruise - there are 2 routes that are operated, one for summer and one for the winter season. Each cruise lasts approx 50 - 55 minutes and there is a commentary as you go along the river which points out attractions and gives you history of buildings on the water front both on the Wirral and Liverpool side of the river.

You can break you journey on the cruise at any time and get off at one of the terminals and visit one of Mersey Ferries attractions. The current attractions are:-

Woodside - there is a cafe where you can stop for coffee or somthing to eat or maybe even take a trip on a tram which operates from Woodside.

Seacombe - here we have more than one attraction:-

There is the Play Planet which is a play area for children aged between 2 and 9 years old - note that there is a height restriction also in operation. The play area includes ball ponds and soft play with a space theme - reason for the theme will become apparent. This play area was re-furbished end of 2005 beginning of 2006. Admission price is GBP 1.95per hour and is open 7 days a week from 10am to 6pm.

You can also arrange a childrens party here (same restrictions as above) which includes1 hour in the play area , party tea and a visit to the Aquarium plus a gift for the child whose birthday it is. The party has to be for a minimum of 10 children and cost is currently GBP6.70 per child.

The Aquarium

The Aquarium is not very large but has a lot of interesting info and fish which are all found in the river Mersey. When you first enter the Aquarium you come to a tank which is low enough for children to look into from the top and contains star fish and crabs. If you ask an attendant may lift out one for the star fish for you to have closer look. On the opposite side there is a wave tank - which simulates the tidal movement in the river Mersey and yes if you stand too close you will get wet.

The Aquariom also has a shark pool as you go around which contains small species of local shark and rays, there is a walkway that goes over the top of this pool so you can get a good brids eye view of the fish. In addition to these there are lots of tanks which display all the local fish and also tanks filled with rubbish so you can learn about the effect of polution.
Addmission cost -
Adult - £1.95 Child £1.25
Family - 2 adults & 3 children £5.50
Concessions £1.55

You can also buy a joint ticket for the river explorer and Aquarium combined. - All costs at the bottom of the page.

Spaceport - new attraction

Be warned some displays have flashing lights.

This is a new attraction for 2006 and is located at the Seacombe Ferry terminal. yes you can guess by the name that it is all about space. Within the space port there are lots of hands on bits for adults and children along with exciting displays of information. Walking through there is simulator ride, the theme of this does change but it is very gentle as has to cater for children - there is no additional cost for this it is included in the price. There are interactive quizes, hands on exercises and a Space Dome Cinema - you are given tokens for this upon entrace to the space dome and told what your time slot is for this, again this is included in the entrance price. As you venture upstairs in the space dome you come to more interacitve screens - all touch operated where you have look up info, take parts in quizes, you can also make a short DVD giving Space news. For this there is a small booth which has a chair and interactive touch screen. Upon entrace and starting the screens you are asked to state your name by the controller on the screen and then you have to choose a subject that you will be reading the news about - there are 4 to choose from. The set up gives a countdown to the news programme and you see this on another screen directly in front of you. At the given point the newscaster comes to you for your item of news - you just follow the words on the screen. When finished there is an automatic ticket produced which gives you a time when your DVD will be available for purchase - cost is £1. This is excellent value as the quality is really good and lasts for about 5 minutes.

If you visit the spacepport between now and 4th January 2007 you will be in for a treat as Spaceport are currently hosting a Doctor Who exhibition which includes costumes from the last series with David tennat including a Dalek amoungst others. Here you can also sit and watch episodes for Dr Who and there is no restrictions on taking photos.

The spaceport also has a small gift shop which sells what you would expect - mostly space themed. You also collect your DVD from the gift shop.

Where to find the ferry teminals

Pier Head Ferry Terminal [Liverpool]
Mersey Ferries, Pier Head, Georges Parade, Liverpool L3 1DR
Telephone: 0151 227 2660
Fax: 0151 236 2298

Transport links - by train - nearest station is James Street in Liverpool - nearest mainline station is Liverpool Lime street
By car - there is parking available at the Kings Dock which is a short walk away from the Ferry teminal

Woodside Ferry Terminal [Wirral]
Mersey Ferries, Woodside, Birkenhead, Merseyside CH41 6DU
Telephone: 0151 330 1472
Fax: 0151 666 2448

Nearest locat station - Hamilton Square
By car - Woodside has its own car park which is pay and display.

Seacombe Ferry Terminal [Wirral]
Mersey Ferries, Victoria Place, Seacombe, Wallasey, Wirral, Merseyside CH44 6QY
Telephone [switchboard]: 0151 639 0609
Fax: 0151 639 0578

By Car - nearest motorway is the M53 - Seacombe has its own car park right outside the spaceport with a large overfolow carpark next to the terminal building which is free of charge.

Costs:

River Explorer on its own

Adult Single £2.45 Return £4.80
Child Single £ 1.40 Return £2.65

Family 2 Adults & 3 children Return only £11.99

Concessions Single £1.90 Return £3.50

River Explorer & Aquarium combined

Adult £5.35
Child aged 3 to 4 £1.25
Child age 4 to 15 £3.50
Family - 2 Adults & 3 children - 15.90
Concessions £4.65

River Explorer & Spaceport
Adult - £11.90
Child age 3 - 4 £6.00
Child age 5 - 15 £8.00
Family - 2 Adults & 3 children £32.00

Spaceport on its own

Adult - £ 8.50
Child over 3 £6.00
Family 2 Adults & 3 Children - £24.00
Concessions £6.50

Your can also purchase an annual pass for the space port if you intend to visit frequently .

 

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