Things to do in Liverpool

Often overlooked by travellers as they tour England, Liverpool has a surprisingly diverse and interesting cultural scene which reflects the unique people who call this corner of the kingdom home. Maritime heritage plays a big role in the city and is best represented by the Albert Dock. A number of excellent museums can be found in the historical city centre, which dates back to the 18th century. And of course, theres the legacy of the Beatles, which began right here in a small basement club called the Cavern.

Albert Dock

This showpiece of Liverpool first opened back in 1846, when the city was undergoing its first major economic boom as a port town. Built of brick, stone and cast iron, Albert Dock is a truly iconic and charismatic part of this city. After a long period a decline, the area has been extensively restored and refurbished, with the old warehouses transformed into shops, cafs and pubs. The Merseyside Maritime Museum and Tate Liverpool are both located here as well.

Beatles story

Many music lovers will readily admit to being fans of the Beatles and since this legendary band got their break in Liverpool, you can see where it all began. A multilingual audio tour at the Britannia Vaults on Albert Dock will guide you through the story of the band from their early days in Hamburg through their international stardom and eventual separation. The tour then follows each members solo career after the big break-up (tel: +44 0151 7091963).

Cathedral Church of Christ

This massive building overlooking the River Mersey was the last Gothic-style church to be built in the world and is an amazing list of superlatives. Construction began in 1904 and was completed 74 years later. As the largest church in England and the fifth largest in the world, the cathedral is an impressive sight. The vaulting under the tower, another world record, is 53 metres high. The churchs organ has some 10,000 pipes, more than anywhere else. The tower houses the heaviest and highest bells on earth, and the views from the top stretch all the way to North Wales.

Merseyside Maritime Museum

The water has always been a lifeline for this city, which has the second largest port in Britain after London. This museum, set in the historic heart of Liverpools waterfront district, is a fascinating mix of working displays, floating exhibitions and craft demonstrations. The wonderfully restored buildings tell the story of shipbuilding on Merseyside, the mass emigration to Liverpool in the previous century, the Battle of the Atlantic Gallery and Transatlantic slavery. This is the place to better understand the history of this unique city.

Roman Catholic Cathedral of Christ the King

The citys second major church lies just one kilometre from the Anglican cathedral, joined by a road called Hope Street. This massive edifice can hold more than 2,000 worshippers. Above the altar floats a multicoloured glass lantern which weighs some 2,000 tons and rises to a height of 87 metres. Often referred to as a space-age cathedral, this church is totally unique and definitely worth a look.

Walker Art Gallery

This art gallery is one of the finest in Europe and has a stunning collection of European art dating from 1300 to the modern times. The gallery has a particularly rich collection of European old masters, pre-Raphaelite and Victorian works, and contemporary British art. And then theres the gallerys award-winning sculpture gallery. If youre a fan of art, then you wont want to miss out on Liverpools best art museum.

World Museum Liverpool

This massive and eclectic museum is considered one of Britains finest, with collections from all over the world representing everything from dinosaurs to great inventions. The diversity of exhibitions is staggering and you could easily spend a whole day exploring the place. The Natural History Centre focuses on the natural world using interactive displays. Living displays from the aquarium and vivarium create a special blend of static and moving exhibitions. A wonderful planetarium and the new World Cultures Gallery are other highlights.