Divided by the River Mersey and the colours red and blue, Liverpool is one of the UK’s great cities, known around the world for its football teams and musical heritage – in particular, a certain four-piece band with mop-top haircuts called The Beatles. Here’s our guide to Liverpool.
The Main Attractions
The history of Liverpool runs deep. The city celebrated its 800th birthday back in 2007, but while much older, it really began to expand in the late 1600s and 1700s as the second city of the British Empire – a growth paid for mainly by the infamous triangular trade of sugar, tobacco and enslaved people between the West Indies, Africa and America. The British Slave Trade ended in 1807, but Liverpool's connections with slavery continued on into the 19th century, and that history and more is now explored at the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool's World Heritage-protected Albert Dock. This dock is the heart of the vibrant waterfront and site of the largest collection of Grade I listed buildings in the UK. The city would go through economic hardships before a regeneration which has transformed it into a cultural, dynamic and thriving hub. Music has been at the core of a lot of that – from Gerry and the Pacemakers to Echo & the Bunnymen, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and The Beatles, whose meteoric rise to fame you can relive at the award-winning The Beatles Story, which is also at the Albert Dock. Visit the Tate Liverpool, also found in this area, and if you’re a lover of galleries, don’t miss the Walker Art Gallery either. It’s known for its outstanding collection of work made between the 18th century and World War I. Liverpool is a diverse city. The architecture ranges from the neoclassical St George's Hall to the gothic Liverpool Cathedral to the astonishing modernist Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, and once night comes around, there’s no shortage of hotspots to eat, drink and party. Liverpool is home to a vibrant modern cultural scene – from the music and arts to the nightclubs. There’s no question that it’s one of the most exciting cities in the United Kingdom.
