FROM THE OLD DOCK TO THE BEATLES, INDUSTRY TO THE ARTS; LIVERPOOL IS THE PLACE TO HEAD TO FOR A TRIP OF VIBRANT AND HISTORICAL DELIGHTS.
Since being crowned European Cultural Capital in 2008, Liverpool’s reputation as a lively and cultural destination has rapidly grown. With increasing visitor numbers every year, the city is one of important industrial history and cosmopolitan visions.
Liverpool has remained a major port for economic commerce since the early 19th century, where 40% of the world’s trade passed through its docks. The city has been a key contributor to modern inventions as both railways and ferries were pioneered here, and industrial innovation is still at the forefront of the city’s revenue today. Famed for its docks and canals, Liverpool holds a strong maritime history with the Old Dock being the world’s first commercial wet dock and a remaining proud feature of the city to this day. The Liverpool Canal Link allows passengers to soak in mesmerising views of the city as they travel along the canal, greeted by the Liver, Cunard and Port buildings. However nothing is more spectacular than a trip via a Mersey Ferry, allowing you to admire the iconic waterfront.
The city welcomed an impressive £72 million addition to the cultural landscape in 2011, in the form of the Museum of Liverpool. With upcoming exhibitions such as the Merseystyle Artist’s Talk and an Archaeology Opinion Service, whilst attracting crowds of 1.5 million visitors, the museum celebrates not only the vast history but the contemporary side of the city. Liverpool houses the most museums and galleries than any other UK city region outside of London. From the Walker Art Gallery which is showcasing the work of David Hockney, running from October 11 2013 to March 2014, to the world-famous TATE Liverpool featuring Art Turning Left: How Values Changed Making 1789 – 2013, running from November 8 2013 to February 2 2014, which exhibits the influence of left-wing values on art; there is sure to be an attraction worth visiting in the city, whatever your area of interest.
Whilst the city is constantly evolving in its appearance with the recent refurbishment of the Central Library as well as the familiar and grand Lyceum Club; standing strong above the Liverpool skyline are the Anglican and Metropolitan cathedrals, located at either end of Hope Street. With breath-taking Gothic designs, taking the 108-step trip up Liverpool Cathedral is more than worth the journey in order to soak in 331ft high views of the city. It remains the fifth largest Anglican cathedral in the world and is one of the most beautiful landmarks Liverpool has to offer.
For a little retail therapy, the £1 billion regeneration project of Liverpool ONE retail and leisure complex is sure to hit the spot. Featuring over 160 shops, restaurants, cafes and bars, as well as two hotels, a visit here is all you need for your trips worth of shopping and entertainment.
From the cheeky Liverpudlian charm of Cilla Black and Paul O Grady, to the tenacity of some of our finest sporting heroes including Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard; the city has produced some of the nation’s most beloved entertainers and sports stars. And of course, the Fab Four who changed the face of the music industry also hailed from Merseyside, meaning that no visit to the city would be complete without a trip to the world famous Cavern Club, home to The Beatles where you can watch exciting new music performed on the same stage as Lennon and McCartney once did.
Liverpool is a city steeped in a rich and vast history and when teamed with its ever evolving landscape, it is a location of superb cosmopolitan attractions and rich artistic offerings which is well worth the time to visit.
