Liverpool

Located in Merseyside, Liverpool was once home to a large number of shipping facilities but is now a cultural and residential centre with plenty to do and see. In recent years the largely pedestrianised centre of the city has been the focus of massive redevelopment including the building of the “Liverpool One” shopping centre making the city much more friendly to visitors.

The centre of the city is mostly full of shops (and offices) but on the periphery are the two iconic cathedrals and, on the water, the Royal Albert Dock, iconic Liver building and museums.

The modern Museum of Liverpool is located on the river adjacent to the Royal Albert Docks. An admission fee is charged.

The Liverpool Chinatown is a small area with a few shops and quite a number of surprisingly trendy restaurants (not only Chinese). Plenty of offices nearby so expect crowds in the weekdays during lunch and dinner.

The Liverpool Cathedral is the slightly less modern cathedral located a short distance across from the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral (see below).

The Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King (Roman Catholic) is a modern cathedral that overlooks the city center. There is parking under the cathedral.

On the banks of the Mersey a relatively new addition to Liverpool is the re-vitalised Royal Albert Dock. Home to a number of small shops, cafes, restaurants as well as the Tate Liverpool modern art gallery, Albert Dock is a great place to wander in peace and calm away from the hustle of the city only a short distance away. The massive “M&S Bank Arena” neighbours to the south while the “Museum of Liverpool” and the famous “Liver Building” is to the north.

If you are a Beatles fan then, obviously, you must visit the tiny underground Cavern Club on Mathew Street. This is where the young Beatles played a number of their first gigs. You enter through a small, rather unassuming door on the street to descend quite a large number of stairs. Be aware that a cover charge may be requested at busy times.

Additionally, there are a number of other Beatles tours of the city (including the Magical Mystery Tour bus operated by the Cavern Club]] taking in such sites as Strawberry Fields, Penny Lane, and the birth places of Lennon and McCartney (caution: sing along alert!).

The biggest entertainment venue in Liverpool is M&S Bank Arena located just south of Albert Dock on the Mersey. The arena plays hosts to the biggest events to hit the city and is quite large inside though it is just a big concrete arena…

Close to the river is the massive Liverpool One shopping centre that is somewhat nicer than the concrete jungle it replaced. Conveniently, it also has a huge underground 24 hour car park (“Q-Park” accessed from Strand Street) which is particularly useful for visitors to attractions along the Mersey such as Albert Dock, the Tate, the Museum of Liverpool and the M&S Bank Arena.

Visitors to Liverpool will find there is a good amount of parking in the town centre. By rail most travel into Liverpool Lime Street station.

For further information, please see:

• Liverpool City Council
• visitliverpool.com
• Wikipedia - Liverpool
• Wikitravel - Liverpool