Liverpool

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Quick Facts

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Coordinates

• Latitude: 53.410777
• Longitude: -2.977838

On Travellerspoint

• 3 Liverpool Apartments
• 3 Liverpool Guesthouses
• 8 Liverpool Hostels
• 2 Liverpool Hotels

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Introduction

Liverpool- Liver Building

© All Rights Reserved robnights

Liners to America, the Beatles, the Dockers' Strike, City of Culture - Liverpool is proud of its tradition as an independent, innovative, friendly city. A great mix of historical architecture and contemporary design, Liverpool has plenty to offer the visitor today.

The history of this port city lead UNESCO to declare major parts of the city a world heritage site in 2004, dubbing it the Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City. In 2008, Liverpool was the European Capital of Culture, and invested heavily in art and sculpture projects which still dot the landscape today, and has a number of theatres and museums for those interested in culture outside of The Beatles.

Neighbourhoods

• Central Liverpool - There are a number of bars and restaurants centred around Matthew Street, including the * famous Cavern Club. Running from the train station down to the waterfront, there is a most pedestrianised shopping area including the Met Quarter and the £1 billion dollar renovated space at Liverpool ONE.

• Wallasey and New Brighton - across the Mersey river in Wirral, Wallasey and New Brighton run in a 3 kilometre stretch from the Seacombe Ferry terminal to the mouth of the Mersey river. You can walk from the ferry terminal to New Brighton along the 3 kilometre long Millennium Trail. Key sites along the way are the Wallasey Town Hall, the New Brighton arcade and the Fort Perch Rock. At the Seacombe Ferry Terminal is also Spaceport, an exhibit of space and space travel, mainly aimed at children.

• Birkenhead - the second stop of the ferry on the other side of the Mersey in Wirral, Birkenhead has a few sites of interest. The Birkenhead Priory was home to the monks that ran the Mersey Ferries during the middle ages. Birkenhead had the first street tramway in Europe, and today two wooden trams, imported from Hong Kong, have been brought into service as part of a heritage tramway. Hamilton Square is the main square of Birkenhead, built in the late Georgian and early Victorian area. 3 of the sides of the square are Georgian terrace houses, with the four side having the town hall (which is now a museum). It is second only to Trafalgar Square in London for having the most Grade I listed buildings in a single square. Finally, the ferry terminal has a U-Boat exhibit, including a U-Boat you can see.

Sights and Activities

Ferry and Windmill

© All Rights Reserved GregW

• Mersey Ferry - Ferries have been crossing the Mersey river for probably over 1000 years. There was a record of a ferry crossing the Mersey from Seacombe in the Domesday Book in 1086. Leaving from the Pierhead in the shadows of the "Three Graces" (the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building) along the Mersey River, during the week at rush hour, the ferry service is a commuter service, running between the Seacombe ferry terminal in Wallasey, the Birkenhead ferry terminal and the Pierhead in Liverpool. Off hours and during the weekend, though, the ferries run River Explorer Cruises. These cruises run for about an hour, with two stops. Details and tickets available from Mersey Ferries. Ticket prices are £6.30, and can be combined with tickets to the Spaceport attraction and U-Boat experience across the river.
• The Albert Dock and Maritime Museum - Opened in 1846, the Albert Dock was the first enclosed dock made out non-flammable materials. Today, the Albert Dock is one of many docks along the waterfront of Liverpool no longer in use, as most of the shipping has moved away from the city centre to the larger container ports downstream and upstream. Instead, the dock holds museums, bars and restaurants, including a branch of the Tate Museum and the Maritime and Slavery Museum, detailing the sea-faring history of the area, including the cities place in the Slave trade with America. The Albert Dock is also home to The Beatles Story, which tells the history of Liverpool's most famous sons.
• The Cavern Club - Inspired by basement jazz clubs in Paris, the owner opened up a music club in a basement that had been used as an air-raid shelter during the Second World War. Famous for bringing in local acts, The Beatles made 292 appearances here, including one on the 9th of November, 1961, when Brian Epstein saw the group and signed on to be their manager. Today the club is still open, showcasing local talent along side Beatles tribute acts. Admission varies depending on the act, but it is generally free during the day to enter.
• Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra - one of the best orchestras in Britain, and probably Europe.
• Two very different cathedrals sit at opposite ends of Hope Street, the Anglican Liverpool Cathedral and the Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral. The Liverpool, started in 1904 and completed in 1978, is a traditional Gothic design with imposing large spaces and magnificent stained glass windows. The Metropolitan is very modern, and despite looking newer, the Met was consecrated in 1967, meaning it was completed before the Gothic Anglican Cathedral down the street. The Met is circular in design and topped with a round spire with spikes jutting up into the air.
• Liverpool FC and Everton FC are premiership football clubs both situated in Liverpool. Liverpool play at Anfield, while Everton plays out at Goodison Park
• The Bluecoat The Bluecoat is the oldest Grade 1 listed building in Liverpool’s city centre (dating back to 1717). Following a £14.5m redevelopment, it re-opened in March 2008, as a major landmark on the UK map of contemporary culture. With a new wing of galleries and a state-of-the-art Performance Space, the Bluecoat showcases talent across all creative disciplines including visual art, music, literature, dance and live art, and nurtures new talent by providing studio spaces for artists within a unique creative community the Bluecoat

Events and Festivals

The Grand National is run at Aintree Race Course annually in early April, and is one of the biggest horse racing events in the United Kingdom. The race dates back to the early to mid 1800s, though there is debate about when the first race was actually run. The Grand National is a four mile "National Hunt" horse race, sometimes known as Steeple Chase, where horses have to jump over obstacles like fences, ditches and water. The nearest train station is Aintree Station, directly opposite the racecourse, where regular trains run every 71/2 minutes on racedays from Liverpool Central Station.

Weather

The Cavern Club Stage

© All Rights Reserved GregW

November through February can be cold, with temperatures in the low single digits. The weather starts to turn nice in April and the summer is enjoyable, with highs in the high teens or low twenties. In September it starts to rain more, with the rains lasting through the winter.

For a detailed forecast, check out the http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/342?&search=liverpool&pageSize=10®ion=uk (< ERROR: the link title is too long!)

Getting There

By Plane

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) offers a wide range of flights including some intercontinental. The airport is 8 miles from the city centre. The city centre can be accessed by train service, on the MerseyRail local transit system or via bus.

By Train

Less well connected than other major cities, however direct connections are available to London, Manchester, and to destinations in North Wales. The main train station is Liverpool Lime Street station.

The trip to London Euston is 2 and a half hours on Virgin Trains or London Midland.

First TransPennine Express provide direct train services to Liverpool Lime Street from Manchester, Leeds, York and Middlesbrough.

By Car

From the M6 the city is easily reached via the M58, M56 and M62 motorways. Liverpool city centre is approximately 45 minutes' drive from Chester, Manchester and North Wales.

By Bus

There are half hourly services from Manchester, services every hour to York and every two hours to London and Birmingham on National Express. The National Express coach station is located in Norton Street, Liverpool City Centre.

By Boat

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company run a regular service between Liverpool and Douglas on the Isle of Man. The ferry leaves from the Pier Head at the foot of Chapel Street.

Norfolk Line run services between Dublin, Belfast and Liverpool. The boats leave from Birkenhead, across the Mersey from Liverpool. P&O Irish Sea run ferries from Liverpool to Dublin.

Liverpool has a 350m Cruise Ship dock close to the Pier Head for cruise ships entering town.

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

Mersey Travel operates public transit in Liverpool and the surrounding area, running the local tube (MerseyRail) and buses.

By Foot

The city is generally flat, so walking is a decent option. Some of The Beatles sites (e.g Penny Lane) are pretty far out, so public transit may make more sense.

By Bike

Eat

• Upstairs Restaurant Bar Located on the first floor, Upstairs at the Bluecoat offers locally produced, seasonal food together with a great wine list, a children’s menu, a special Sunday lunch menu and the most creative backdrop in town. Sunday and Monday (11.30am - 6.00pm); Tuesday until Saturday (Lunch: 11.30pm - 3.00pm; Afternoon tea: 3.00pm - 5.30pm; Dinner: 6.00pm - 11.00pm). School Lane. 0151 702 7783

• Espresso Grab illy coffees, Jing leaf teas, soft drinks, sandwiches, soups and salads to enjoy in the Bluecoat’s building hub, its iconic courtyard or its peaceful garden. Free wi-fi and daily newspapers available in the hub.8.00am - 6.00pm daily (later when there is an event on). School Lane.

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Y.H.A. Liverpool is a modern purpose built hostel within walking distance of the City centre.

Hatters Hostel. Liverpool is just a stone's throw away from all central Liverpool attractions.

Mid-Range

Upscale

Shopping

• Shopping at the Bluecoat Bored of the high street and looking for something unique? Visit the creative, independent retailers at the Bluecoat and find something beautifully designed, hand-made and made to keep. School Lane.

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