A weekend in Liverpool: travel guide and things to do
More than just the birthplace of The Beatles, Liverpool offers many attractions for culture lovers
1. Why you should visit Liverpool
After facing a “dramatic change in fortune” in the 20th century, Liverpool has become a city of “regeneration” since the turn of the millennium, said Rough Guides. No longer associated with “British economic malaise” it is a city full of life and culture.
Liverpool’s “irrepressible lust for life” makes it more than just the birthplace of The Beatles, said World Travel Guide. It is home to more than 1,500 listed buildings and “culture plays just as big a part” in drawing in the crowds.
Music is still the beating heart of the city (along with football) and Liverpool is one of the few to be granted Unesco City of Music status. It is fitting then, that it will help Ukraine host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023.
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2. Top attractions: things to see and do
Architecture through the ages
Perhaps the most iconic piece of architecture in the city sits on the River Mersey - the Royal Albert Dock. The Grade II listed buildings may be old but life still buzzes around them. There is plenty to do here, from restaurants and bars to shopping. It’s possible to spend hours either marvelling at the architecture or chilling by the Mersey with a drink – whether that’s a coffee or something stronger is up to you.
From the waterfront to higher up the hill is Britain’s largest cathedral. Liverpool Cathedral is one the country’s newer ones, it was finished in 1978, but still contains some awe-inspiring charm. It’s free to enter and there is an audio walking tour available for those who want to discover more.
Just down the road from the Cathedral is St Luke’s Church, which is locally referred to as the “Bombed Out Church”. Devastated by the Blitz in 1941 the only thing that stands at St Luke’s is its four exterior walls. It’s not an empty vessel though, as it holds cultural events from theatre to visual arts. A great way to spend an evening – and if it’s raining remember to wear a raincoat as there is no roof.
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Museums
With an expansive history of strife and triumph, Liverpool has some great museums. Most fall under the National Museums Liverpool which has housed an enormous collection of natural history and art since 1851. Split across various sites from the Walker Art Gallery to the World Museum, it is possible to marvel at artefacts from around the world. You can even see beyond Earth’s atmosphere at the recently opened Planetarium.
Liverpool was once England’s second city with a busy port that saw merchants exchange goods from all over the world. Underneath the bustle of dock life however, lay something darker. The city played a “significant role” in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, said Lonely Planet. Instead of shying away from this the International Slavery Museum “reveals slavery’s unimaginable horrors” and “doesn’t baulk at confronting racism”. Thanks to the engaging multimedia and personal stories the museum has a lasting effect on its visitors.
Music
A trip to Liverpool has to include music in some form, especially as the city is a “music lover’s dream”, said the Liverpool Echo. To delve into the history of the city’s most famous band visit The Beatles Story. The immersive audio tour and recreated sets bring the history of the Fab Four to life. If you want the real deal, however, take a Magical Mystery Tour and follow in the band’s footsteps. You’ll be transported to the real life Penny Lane and get to walk through the Strawberry Field. The yellow bus tour also takes you to the childhood homes of John, Paul and George and ends at the world famous Cavern Club. Of course, The Beatles don’t play here anymore, but it’s possible to see live gigs and experience how Liverpool is keeping its “musical heritage alive today”.
Football
Along with music, the beautiful game is at the heart of the city’s identity. Two Premier League football clubs – Liverpool and Everton – proudly call Liverpool their home. Both team stadiums (Liverpool’s Anfield and Everton’s Goodison Park) are located near Stanley Park, although Everton are set to move to Bramley-Moore Dock in 2024. Currently they are neighbours, literally, the stadiums are a short walk from each other. Whether you’re red or blue, or neither, both stadiums offer tours, if simply watching a match isn’t enough.
On matchdays the city comes alive in a sea of red or blue – and if you’re lucky enough to experience a Merseyside derby it’s even more electrifying. Watch out for packed buses and trains on those days. Tickets to games at Anfield or Goodison can be hard to come by, but watching a match is well worth it. Alternatively pop in to one of Liverpool’s many pubs or sports bars and you’ll find the atmosphere is just as lively as the stadiums.
3. Hotels: where to stay
Constantly voted as one of the friendliest cities in the UK, Liverpool’s hospitality extends to its hotel scene, which “caters to fans of all stripes”, said TimeOut. For those mega Beatles fans there’s the Hard Days Night Hotel, situated near the Cavern Club – just look for the building that has statues of the band perched up high. Not only do the rooms feature posters and Beatles memorabilia, there is live music (covering the Fab Four, of course). It’s certainly a place where “all your troubles will seem so far away”.
For those who want to spend their money on attractions and save for the hotel, there is Liverpool’s Z Hotel. Located near to the docks, it is a “simply savvy spending, low-frills hotel with loads of convenience”. It even has free wine and cheese every evening!
The great thing about Liverpool is that it’s a compact city so whether you choose a hotel on the waterfront, in the Cavern Quarter or the artsy and luxurious Georgian Quarter (near the Baltic Market), you’re within walking distance of all the top attractions.
4. Restaurants and bars: where to eat and drink
A short walk from the city centre sits an old brewery. Production stopped there long ago, but it has since transformed into the city’s first street food market – the Baltic Market. Featuring eight local street food vendors it’s the perfect place for the “most picky of palates”, said Sophie McCoid in the Liverpool Echo. Not only does it serve food, but drinks and cocktails too. There are even quaint vintage shops so it’s possible to spend a good portion of the day here.
As the sun sets it’s easy to see why Liverpool is known for “having some of the best nightlife around”, said the Visit Liverpool tourism board. From quirky cocktails in test tubes at The Alchemist, drinks and mini golf at Junkyard Golf, to the Instagrammable Florist bar, there is something new for everyone to try.
Though Concert Square is where a lot of the bars are concentrated, there are so many great hidden gems and other hotspots around the city – you can even stay at the Baltic Market with some halloumi fries and a cocktail. It’s not hard to find somewhere to let your hair down.
5. Transport: how to get there
Liverpool Lime Street is the best train station to get into. Whether you’re coming from other parts of the UK or from around the world (there is a train to and from John Lennon Airport every 20 minutes), Lime Street offers great links. From the station it’s possible to walk to just about everywhere in the city, but if you’re weary from your travels there are taxi ranks outside. The city’s bus terminal is also a short walk down the hill.
Driving to Liverpool can be tricky. The major roads between Manchester and Liverpool in the north west of England are notorious for accidents and slow traffic. Inside the city, Liverpool is easy enough to navigate and car parks are dotted around the centre, including at the waterfront. If you’re coming from Wales or the west of England you’ll get to drive over the Mersey Bridge or through the tunnel (depending on whether you’re coming in or out of the city). Remember to pay the toll online if you are!
6. What the locals say…
Ringo Starr, drummer of The Beatles, once said that “people in Liverpool don't move very far” and it’s easy to see why not. Scousers are among the proudest people in the country and they give the city its life. Don’t be alarmed if someone strikes a conversation with you either, they are also pretty friendly.