If you think that Liverpool is going to be non-stop homage to the Beatles and the Cavern Club you'd be right. But Liverpool is more besides and these days it's a hip and happening city which has done much to shake off the dowdy, run-down and depressed image it had in the 1980s.
I had the ... Read review
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Advantages: A surprisingly happening place which will knock your socks off Disadvantages: A weekend won't be enough!
If you think that Liverpool is going to be non-stop homage to the Beatles and the Cavern Club you'd be right. But Liverpool is more besides and these days it's a hip and happening city which has done much to shake off the dowdy, run-down and depressed image it had in the 1980s.
I had the pleasure of spending two weekends in the city in 18 months and found that there is much for Liverpudlians to be proud of.
Liverpool ... ...budget hotel chain and the Liverpool hotel is situated almost opposite the Albert Dock and shares it's site with the equally good value Formule 1. A double room in the Campanile will set you back around 30 pounds a night and breakfast is extra at a fiver a head.
So, you've got somewhere to stay - what is there to do?
Where do I start? I suppose the Albert Dock is as good a place as any. The Dock is just one of the success ... more
If you think that Liverpool is going to be non-stop homage to the Beatles and the Cavern Club you'd be right. But Liverpool is more besides and these days it's a hip and happening city which has done much to shake off the dowdy, run-down and depressed image it had in the 1980s.
I had the pleasure of spending two weekends in the city in 18 months and found that there is much for Liverpudlians to be proud of.
Liverpool is often over-shadowed by it's near neighbour Manchester but I feel that the former is a much more friendly place and deserves the reputation it has for the warmth of it's welcome.
If you are spending a weekend in the city I can recommend a number of accommodation options to suit all budgets. At the top end is the Crowne Plaza down by the Liver Building and close to the landing pier for the famous Mersey Ferry. It is ideally situated for access to the main city centre area and also the visitor and leisure attractions of the Albert Dock.
The Feathers Hotel on Mount Pleasant is a mid-range hotel and is situated just a short walk (up the hill) from Lime Street Station and the main shopping area.
The Campanile is a budget hotel chain and the Liverpool hotel is situated almost opposite the Albert Dock and shares it's site with the equally good value Formule 1. A double room in the Campanile will set you back around 30 pounds a night and breakfast is extra at a fiver a head.
So, you've got somewhere to stay - what is there to do?
Where do I start? I suppose the Albert Dock is as good a place as any. The Dock is just one of the success stories in the regenration of Liverpool and this area is one of the most cosmopolitan parts of town. You could say that, with it's shops, visitor attractions, bars and restaurants and stylish warehouse conversion apartments that it is almost a small town in itself.
The dock was built in 1846 to unload and store cargoes from all over the world. The buildings are handsome red brick structures and are very imposing. The buildings make up the largest collection of Grade 1 listed buildings in the UK.
The cluster of buildings around the main part of the dock house visitor attractions such as The Beatles Story and the Tate Modern Liverpool, some bars and restaurants and of course the Granada Television studios where Richard and Judy used to broadcast from. There are also a few shops and these are typical of the shops you get in touristy places - why do they think you want to buy tartan in Liverpool?
I can recommend visiting the Beatles Story - it's fun and interesting and there's a great mock up of the original Cavern Club as well as lots of outfits worn by the Beatles; the story is told chronologically as you make your way through with music to match playing in the background.
The Tate Liverpool does not have it's own permanent collection but stages visiting exhibitions so check in advance to find out what is on when you're there.
The Albert Dock offers a variety of eating possibilites from a traditional pub serving a good selection of meals to upmarket restaurants and trendy bars serving tapas-style dishes.
I would say though that the Dock does not really have any child-friendly eating places. Also some parts of the Dock are quite open and if you are sitting outside at a cafe or pub keep an eye on the kids!
While you are down at the Dock a great thing to do is take a ride on the Yellow Duck Marine Tour. The Ducks are reconditioned ex-WW2 amphibious vehicles, which means they can be used both on land and in the water.
The tours leave hourly from the Dock and first take you on a tour of the city centre with a commentary as you travel. Unfortunately it can sometimes be hard to hear the commentary while in heavy traffic.
The Duck then makes its way back to the dock where you get a terrific splash. I thought it was great but kids will absolutely LOVE it and they can even have a go at steering the Duck once you get into the wider part of the dock.
You can buy tickets from the tourist office in the Dock and it costs around 10 pounds for adults and 8 pounds for children but you can get discounts by buying a book of vouchers which will give you good reductions on all the attractions based around the dock.
The main part of town has all the usual chain stores but for more unusual items head for Parr Street which has some interesting shops selling furniture and designer house wares.
To see the two cathedrals for which the city is so famous take a walk past the Adelphi Hotel and head up Mount Pleasant. Before you reach the top there are a couple of good antiquarian and second-hand bookshops. At the top you come to Rose Street. Turn right for the red stone Anglican cathedral and left for the modern looking Catholic cathedral known by the locals as "Paddy's Wigwam". When you look at the two, it's strange to think that, in actual fact, the Catholic cathedral was finished before the Anglican. Both are beautiful churches but if I was to recommend just one to visit, it would have to be the Wigwam. Go inside and at the right the of day the light pouring through the stained glass windows is gorgeous.
Just around the corner on Hope Street is the Philharmonic pub. Known to locals as the "Phil", it is possibly the grandest pub you'll ever set foot in. It's all mosaic floors and Victorian tiles in rich shades of red and green. There is a tremendous horseshoe-shaped bar behind which are ornate mirrors and elaborate chandeliers hang from the ceiling. The stained glass fanlights are something else again!
Apart from the beer, what everyone somes to the Phil for are the toilets! They are magnificent and this is why they have been voted, on many occasions, the best public toilets in Britain. It's actually the mens' loos which are the ornate ones (The ladies are nice and clean but that's all you can say about them). The mens' have immensely high ceilings, ornate brass fittings and amazing ceramic tiles. Ladies - if you want to see the toilets for yourselves - just ask a memeber of staff and they will check to make sure the coast is clear. Don't be shy - they're used to people asking!
As you would expect, there is plenty of choice for good eating in Liverpool but I would particularly recommend the Lower Place on Hope Street which is in the basement of the Philharmonic Hall and is popular with the pre and post-performance crowd for the Philharmonic Hall and the Everyman Theatre, Zorba's - a family run Greek restaurant on Lecce Street just off Mount Pleasant and the fantastic Carribbean place at the bottom of Parr Street - by day it's more of a cafe but serves delicious West Indian food in the evenings.
The city centre is easily covered on foot but public transport is good if you're going further out of town.
Most tourists do the Mersey ferry and it does give good views of the city skyline but really, unless you want to go over to the Wirral it's not a must-do activity. A good trip is the Beatles bus which takes you to all the main locations like Strawberry Fields, the childhood homes of the members of the Beatles and Penny Lane. If you are a fan, this is an easy way to see all the sights in one go.
Liverpool has a happening club scene - the best known is probably Cream which you'll find just behind Parr Street but there are loadsof cool places in this area. To catch live bands try the Lomax or the Academy (at the University, near Paddy' s Wigwam) although there are loads of pubs advertising live music too. The city has a thriving comedy scene and I reckon the best venue is Blue down at the Albert Dock. There are a number of good theatres staging repertory theatre and hosting touring productions.
Liverpool is a vibrant city which is fast developing a reputation for style. However it is not as pricy as, say, Leeds or Manchester and I think has more to offer families than those other northern cities.
Advantages: Lot's to see,Good shopping,Nice Bars Disadvantages: Not the country side
...why should I go to Liverpool I hear you all ask
Well it might surprise you for one the learn that there
Is a very busy and upmarket part of the town centre
And there are many things to see and do.
Being from Liverpool myself I may e a bit bias but I do Know what I am talking about.
The first place to go is Matthew Street which you may Know because of the Cavern Club made Famous by the
Beatles here you will find a lot of history concerning the
... ...market bar were You can relax and take in some of the new bands that They have on.
Also in Matthew Street you will find some very upmarket
Shops aimed mainly at the tourist and a few other very nice
Bar’s,Café’s and a couple of trendy Restaurants.This is also
Part of the night scene and is a very happening place at
Night so get your clubbing stuff on at night.
If like me you are looking for bargains the main shopping centre Is just ...
Joe_the_Chef 07.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Liverpool (England)
Advantages: Lively,exuberant,night life. Cheap food. Disadvantages: Rainy .
Liverpool is one of my favourite cities in the UK,as it is for the well known American born travel writer Bill Bryson. The city has a wonderful waterfront with attractive 20 th century buildings such as the Cunard Building,the Liver Birds, and then there is the lovingly restored Albert Dock,one of Britain's most popular tourist attractions.
There are architectural gems in the city such as the elegant Adelphi Hotel, the arcades, and some of the buildings ... ...is well worth a visit.
Liverpool has a lively night life. There are some magnificent pubs in this old maritime city such as the Philarmonic,a great favourite of the late John Lennon.Eating out opportunities are stupendous with the likes of Indian,Somali, Greek, Chinese - Liverpool houses the oldest Chinatown in Europe-French,Mexican,and Italian restaurants. Fish and chips are easily obtainable and a lot of the students in this very friendly city ...
ashford 23.06.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Liverpool (England)
Advantages: CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2008 Disadvantages: NONE
So, Liverpool has just won the title of Capital of Culture in 2008. And to be quite honest, I couldnt be happier. This is the best thing to ever happen to the city. You couldnt go anywhere in the city without seeing the logo for our bid, Burger King, Top Man, even Tesco all showed their support for the city, and apparently, the involvement of scousers city-wide was what the judges based their decision upon.
Walking past St Georges Hall yesterday, ... ...it's 'posh' ranges at the Liverpool store as we couldnt afford it! Lilly Savage (a scouser) said 'Id rather chew my own nipple off with out anesthetic than buy cheap nylon tat from marks!' I found it funny anyway!
For too long Liverpool has had the image of scallies in trackies, crime and abuse held to it, and I think its time the idiots that believe it know the truth.
Of course, there are scallies around, crime happening, but this is happening ...
micjb 05.06.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Liverpool (England)
Advantages: Its Accesable from the East Lancashire corridor (A580) Disadvantages: The local tip
Why not spend a day out and visit the wonderfull location of Billinge Wigan Lancashire.
Set in the heart of Lancashire in the rolling blue hills (slag heaps) it is withing easy reach of the east lancahire central transport network (east lancs road). If its a new TV, bike or video your looking for then Monday and Wednesday night a purveyor of such fine goods can be found outside Carr Mill Auctions. Ask for Scar Face Harry.
The glorious Golf club ...
wazzmonkey 12.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Liverpool (England)
Advantages: Lively,relaxing and lots to do. Disadvantages: Some parts still need a makeover
Liverpool is a lively and happening city and now that it has won the right to be called European city of culture things are really looking onup for a city often overshadowed by Northern neighbours Manchester. I spent a week in liverpool and had a relaxing time.
Current works are going on in order to get the city just right for 2008 when it opens its doors as the city of culture with big events and showcases.
Highlights of the city inculde the famous ... ...relaxing sitting by having a bite to eat and watching time fly by.The Beatles shop is must for fans of Paul,john,ringo and george and great to catch the old tunes.The Anglican and catholic catherdrals are worth a visit as well as the trendy shops and Liverpool and Everton football clubs. ...
harj123 04.12.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Liverpool (England)
Value for Money
Sightseeing
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around
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Advantages: Planes land and take off from here. Those planes take me places. I'm happy(ish) as a result. Disadvantages: No decent restaurants, shops or anything else. The staff need customer service training, and the builders need a kick of their backsides.
If you thought I was nasty in my ops on the airline and the hotel, just wait until you read this…if you love Liverpool airport with all you heart then just stop reading now, ok?
Liverpool is about an hour from my home in Manchester, and although that makes it nice and near and quick to get to, there’s no way it can beat 20 minute away Manchester Ringway, and not just in terms of location.
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Advantages: Very modern stylish airport great to be in Disadvantages: Needs better rail access
This airport needs better access by train. Fast transpennine trains should stop at Hunts Cross. That would save having to go into Liverpool City Centre and back out again.
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The airport is very chic with excellent views on take off and land ing of the Mersey and Dee Estuaries which makes it much more exciting than the boring views from Manchester and Leeds/bradford Airports.
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Advantages: Its growing and its a great regional airport Disadvantages: transport links, destinations offered
Liverpool Airport is located approximately five miles to the South of the City Centre right on the banks of the Mersey.
Up until the late nineties the airport suffered from a severe lack of investment and also suffered from the competition at nearby Manchester. However since the airport was purchased by Peel Holdings (of Trafford Centre fame), the airport has enjoyed huge growth and some great success.
The site of the current terminal facilities was only developed during the last ten ? fifteen years, prior to this the terminal was a fantastic art-deco building located about 1.5 miles away on another part of the site. This building along with the surrounding hangars was left derelict for a number of years until quite recently, when one of the hangars was redeveloped as a David Lloyd Health club and the terminal redeveloped as ...
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