Medieval ruins hemmed in by a shipyard, with cranes over the chapter house roof. That is the setting, and it is the best thing about the place. There has been a monastery here since the twelfth century, which makes the Priory the oldest building still standing on Merseyside. It is free to go in, the tours are free, and there is free parking in its own car park.
For children the pull is St Mary's Tower. You climb it. At the top you get the shipyard, the Mersey and the Liverpool waterfront laid out below, which is a much better sell than the ruins themselves. Downstairs there is a chapter house, a crypt and the HMS Conway memorial, and enough uneven ground to keep a five year old occupied for the twenty minutes the adults want to read the boards.
The opening pattern needs writing down. Wednesday to Friday it does not open until 1pm in summer or midday in winter. Weekends it opens at 10am. Mondays, Tuesdays and bank holidays it is shut altogether. There are toilets, picnic space, cold drinks and snacks on site, and dogs on leads are fine.
What it costs: Free admission and free tours, donations welcome. Summer, April to October: Wednesday to Friday 1pm to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm. Winter, November to March: Wednesday to Friday 12pm to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm. Closed Mondays, Tuesdays and bank holidays.
Worth knowing: Ground level is uneven but flat. The tower is stairs only, so somebody stays at the bottom with the pushchair.
Seasonal: Longer hours April to October. Check before travelling.
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