LIVERPOOL
Whether you take the Ferry 'cross the Mersey, or a
stroll down Penny Lane, most visitors will find it
difficult to explore Liverpool without a song on their
lips. From the twin cathedrals with their striking views
over the city to the historical, Grade 1 listed Albert
Dock and its Beatles museum, there's plenty to see and
do.
An important maritime centre and industrial port,
Liverpool was one of the great cities of the United
Kingdom in the Industrial Revolution and much of its
wealth came from its dominance in the shipping of
textiles, cotton, sugar and slaves. The city was
severely bombed in World War II and has struggled to get
back on its feet, seeing waves of prosperity and
depression. The 1960s saw the explosion of the Beatles
and pop music, while the 1990s saw an attempt to
regenerate the rather dull urban centre.
Liverpool's waterfront is now a UNESCO World Heritage
site and the city has achieved World Heritage Status,
joining Edinburgh and Bath as the only UK cities to
carry the honour. Since the announcement of Liverpool as
the European Capital of Culture for 2008, millions of
pounds have been poured into further development of the
city, including the £920 million Paradise Street
development in the city centre.
Liverpool is a city of diversity and despite its
struggles, it boasts the most Georgian buildings in the
UK, Europe's oldest Chinatown, a number of striking
Victorian buildings and plenty of world-class
attractions. The historical Albert Dock was restored in
the 1980s and is now one of the city's most popular
attractions, housing chic restaurants, bars, shops and
museums, including the Merseyside Maritime Museum and
the Tate Liverpool. The city boasts two world-class
football clubs, Liverpool and Everton, and fans can
explore the grounds of their favourite teams. There is
also plenty of Beatlemania to satisfy fans, including
the International Beatles Week every August, and several
Beatles-related museums and points of interest.
The city plays host to plenty of other events, festival
and concerts, as well as the world's biggest
steeplechase, the Grand National, at Ainstree. There are
also several fascinating museums, beautiful parks and
gardens, bustling markets and galleries to explore.
Whether a Beatles fan or not, Liverpool has much to
offer the visitor and it is no wonder that it has become
one of the top UK day trip destinations. |