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Liverpool City Guide

Liverpool is located at the point of the North of England where the River Mersey flows into the Irish Sea. This city is rich in history, and when you stroll along the Liverpool Waterfront, you might think you reminded of the port’s rich maritime past. Liverpool is also a thriving modern metropolis, one known for its friendly residents, bustling avenues, temperate climate and varied architectural styles.

History

For centuries, Liverpool has been a desirable place to live and to visit. Its first settlement dates back to before 100 A.D., and by 1200, it was a village with a highly profitable fishing industry. In the 1600s, a series of English Civil War battles raged in and around Liverpool, but during the 1700s, Liverpool experienced a population boom.

By the early 1800s, it ranked as an important port. Tragically, World War II air raids impacted on the city, however, during a 1940 raid, someone who would earn lasting international fame for Liverpool was born: John Lennon.

Things to see

The Beatles

Given that it's John Lennon's birthplace as well as the city in which Paul McCartney grew up, Liverpool is bursting with Beatles-related landmarks. You can tour the boyhood homes of both men, a Beatles museum at Albert Dock and the actual Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane, two places that inspired iconic hit songs.

Liverpool Cathedrals

Liverpool Cathedral and Liverpool Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral are monumental and iconic places of worship. The former is Anglican and opened in 1978. It boasts a spectacular 331-foot-tall tower that you can ascend, and it's the longest cathedral on Earth. The latter, which opened in 1967, is massive, cone-shaped and bold in its design.

Calderstones Park

A true urban oasis, that is spiritual in its own way. Its grounds include an oak tree that is 1,000 years old, tennis courts, outdoor fitness equipment, beautiful Japanese gardens, a lush pond and a playground for children.

St. George’s Hall

The noted architect Harvey Lonsdale Elmes drew upon ancient Greek and Roman designs when he was planning St. George's Hall, a landmark that was completed in 1855. St. George's Hall houses two kinds of facilities that are rarely contained within the same building: courtrooms and concert halls.

Museums

Liverpool is also full of art galleries and museums. The Museum of Liverpool, which debuted in 2011, is situated on the waterfront and displays a wide variety of the city's historic artifacts. The Merseyside Maritime Museum charges no admission fee and features exhibitions on Liverpool's colourful seafaring past. Additionally, the International Slavery Museum recalls the harrowing story of the world's slave trade, including the role that Liverpool once played in it.

Where to stay

You can easily find whatever kind of accommodation you're looking for in  Liverpool; suites, inns, budget lodging and more are all within walking distance of the city's best attractions. Below are just a few outstanding examples.

The Hope Street Hotel offers guests tasteful and comfortable rooms, and its London Carriage Works restaurant serves delicious bistro fare. Just as enticing, this dining spot provides panoramic views of the city's Georgian Quarter.

Many international hotel chains offer reliable, comfortable places to stay in Liverpool for business travellers or family guests. The nine storey Radisson Blu hotel by the river is close to the shopping districts of the city centre and boasts a pool, fitness centre and tennis court. Rooms are available for around £90 per night.

The Holiday Inn Express at Albert Dock is housed in a converted red brick warehouse, rooms start at £63 per night. Closer to John Lennon airport the Hampton By Hilton hotel offers a stylish base for travellers.

Annual events

Liverpool hosts prominent sporting, cultural and entertainment events each year. Among the most important of these is the Grand National horse race and steeplechase in April at Aintree racecoursethe week-long Liverpool International Tennis Tournament at Calderstones Park in June and the two-week-long Comedy Festival in July.

The Comedy Festival lets international comedians compete against each other at venues all over the city. Furthermore, the entire family can enjoy the Merseyside International Street Festival in late July, which exhibits the talents of musicians, acrobats, stilt-walkers, dancers and many other artists and performers from all over the world.

To learn more about Liverpool's many attractions, events and hotels, take advantage of our free search tool.

Getting there

Ferry routes between Liverpool and Belfast are operated by Stena Line Irish Sea Ferries oe between Liverpool and Dublin by P&O Ferries.

Liverpool is 2 hours and 13 minutes travel by train from Central London on Virgin Trains. The city is well connected to the UK motorway system and a destination for national coach operators. John Lennon airport is nine miles from Liverpool city centre and Manchester airport is 45 minutes travel time by road offering many long haul flight connections.