Festival Gardens - Riverside Drive — Attraction in Liverpool

Visiting Festival Gardens in Liverpool was a new and thought-provoking experience. Tucked away along Riverside Drive, the gardens offered a surprising sense of discovery—I hadn’t expected such a tranquil green space so close to the city. The Japanese and Oriental gardens were especially striking, with winding paths, water features, and beautifully designed structures that created a calm, almost meditative atmosphere. It was a pleasure to find something so different from the usual urban parks.

However, that sense of wonder was met with moments of disappointment. Parts of the gardens clearly haven’t been maintained as well as they deserve. Some areas felt neglected—overgrown plants, damaged paths, and sections that seemed unfinished or abandoned. It created an odd tension: the potential and beauty of the space is undeniable, yet it feels only half-realised.

Still, there was something valuable in that discomfort. It made me think more deeply about how we care for public spaces and the importance of continued investment in them. Despite the rough edges, I’m glad I went. The Festival Gardens offered something different—a blend of escape, reflection, and imperfection. And sometimes, that’s more memorable than a place that’s been polished...

How sad is that the council let this place to completely ruin! About 10 years ago it was a beautiful outdoor place for a lot of people after Sefton Park… It was full with flowers, water (lake and canal) a waterfall! Not even mention the Chinese and Japanese pavilions/ pagodas.

A big chunk of the park have been sliced off - probably a billionaire will rise some buildings or only God knows.

Dried out lake, a few true survivors of the time or decade and the birds reminding us how rich this park was one day…. Shame!

The 2 🌟 only for the recent look, not this amazing location, and ZERO stars for those who let this park...

Just read a 2 star negative review which is really disappointing and does not reflect the hard work of the volunteers maintaining this space keeping it clean and tidy and pleasant I like the fact that nature seems to be reclaiming this little gem it's a very peaceful place to sit and reflect and have a little peace or even do a little yoga with a great vew of the mersey at the end of the walk. To give it 2 stars is unfair and a bit mean. I was so glad to rediscover it after so many years the nature walks around the wooded are of the site are amazing for...