Spring is not to far away and some early flower shoots are beginning to emerge in Merseyside’s beautiful parks and gardens.
Perfect for a family walk, the local beauty spots are home to a vast array of wildlife, and a range of flower and plant species - and many of them are free to visit.
From botanical gardens where you can see rare and beautiful butterflies, to community parks and gardens, we’ve got it all in Merseyside.
Here are 12 of our favourite gardens, parks and promenades that you need to visit as we head towards spring.
5. Falkner Square Gardens, Liverpool
Falkner Square is a garden and park in the heart of the Georgian Quarter. The garden borders contain ornamental grasses, herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees of interest. It also includes colourful and scented plants which would have been exhibited in the nearby original Botanic Gardens. | John Bradley via Wikimedia Photo: John Bradley via Wikimedia
6. Speke Hall, Liverpool
The gardens of this Tudor manor house are usually laced with colourful flowers during the springtime. Surrounded by a green oasis, this trail is family and dog friendly and there is so much to do and explore. | David Dixon via Wikimedia Photo: David Dixon via Wikimedia
7. Festival Gardens, Liverpool
Located just outside of Liverpool city centre, Festival Gardens is a beautiful green space, perfect for a spring walk. It has a Japanese garden, rose garden, woodland paths, waterfalls and more, and is undergoing a huge revamp. | User Rept0n1x via Wikimedia Photo: User Rept0n1x via Wikimedia
8. Everton Park Nature Garden, Liverpool
Everton Park is a popular spot to relax during the spring and summer months, and its nature garden is a gem. It has two small lakes, natural wildlife and is open Thursday and Friday mornings. | Phil Nash via Wikimedia