A city of art and culture, Liverpool has its finger securely on the beat of the world around its city borders. The Royal Albert Dock is perhaps the most well-known place in the city; a leisure complex constructed in the old Victorian Docks of Liverpool. The city is alive with people, the architecture is stunning, and the history is everywhere.
Experience a little slice of Beatlemania; visit The Beatles Story for a journey about the band’s rise to stardom, head to the Cavern Club, or hop aboard the Magical Mystery Bus ride to see some of The Beatle’s old stomping grounds. Or, just see the city from the waterfront and see all of the amazing sights. Liverpool is a gorgeous city, lined with architecture from the Georgian period and full of amazing attractions.
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History of Liverpool!
Liverpool was founded in the 13th century. King John founded the port of Liverpool in 1207; the English had recently conquered Ireland and the King was in need of another port to send his men and some supplies across the sea. He started a weekly market, which led to craftsmen and tradesmen coming to live in the area. Quite soon, the King also gave the citizens of Liverpool the right to hold an annual fair. A castle was also built in 1235.
In the 14th century, Liverpool would have had a population of no more than 1200, though it is difficult to find an exact figure; many believe it was around 1000. Many of the people of Liverpool lived as farmers, others were fishermen, craftsmen, or tradesmen.
The first chapel in Liverpool was the Chapel of St Mary, and later, the chapel of Our Lady and St Nicholas was constructed, too. St Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, which was obviously appropriate to a port like Liverpool. Ireland was Liverpool’s main trading partner well into the 16th century, with another partner being France.
Liverpool grew rapidly in the late 17th century, being well-placed to trade with colonies across the Atlantic. In 1684, almshouses were built in Dale Street, followed closely by more houses being built on Shaws Brow a few years later. Between 1660 and 1678, parts of Liverpool castle were demolished; the rest was demolished in the early 18th century. As the years came and went, Liverpool continued to grow at a rapid rate.
At the tail end of the 18th century, sea bathing became quite popular among the wealthier classes of England. Many flocked to the seas by Liverpool under the impression that the activity was good for their health. The 19th century saw the opening of hospitals, galleries, and parks, among other amenities.
In 1880, Liverpool officially became a city, but the wars tore apart much of it in the 20th century, and Liverpool was redeveloped. Many new houses were built, including overspill towns, and the city expanded. In the 1980s, Albert Dock was redeveloped and turned into an area of eateries and places to shop.
In 2018 the population of Liverpool was 493,000. The city is still thriving, with tourism bringing in more revenue than ever before.
What to do in Liverpool!
As a maritime city, Liverpool is well-known for its harbours and its links to Ireland. Ferries can often be seen along the waterfront, setting sail from the pier. There’s plenty to see and do here; especially just about everything to do with the British band The Beatles. If following their footsteps across the city isn’t your thing, then you’ll be happy that there’s still a lot to do within the borders.
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Have a look at our guide to the city below and find something fun to do in Liverpool!
Shopping
Liverpool is a city of trend-setters; shopaholics are extremely welcome here. You’ll be spoilt for choice as you walk among the gleaming shopping centres, arcades, and high street stores. Liverpool ONE, which overlooks the waterfront, has over 170 shops, eateries, and more. There are typical high street chain stores, as well as more unique places to go. This particular shopping centre is the home to the only Beauty Bazaar Harvey Nichols in the country.
Alternatively, check out the Metquarter! A place of fine fashion and beauty outlets, including MAC and Kurt Geirger. There’s also the Cavern Quarter, where you can find stylist Vivienne Westwood’s store.
Bold Street has been rated as one of the best streets to shop on in the whole of England. Plenty of independent stores line the street; from art to clothing. Lord Street in Southport also offers a great shopping experience for visitors; displaying beautiful Victorian-style buildings with smart places to shop in.
West Kirby is the place to go for farmers’ markets and farm-type shops. There’s nothing better than picking up some yummy local produce for a slightly longer stay in Liverpool. There’s nothing stopping you from cooking in your Air BnB’s kitchen, rather than eating out every day that you’re in the city.
Food and Drink
Speaking of food, Liverpool has plenty for you. From sleek fine dining to street food, pop-up restaurants to bistros; you’ll find something delicious to tickle your taste buds. There are restaurants in Liverpool that can show you a view of the Merseyside skyline that you will never forget, while others put you right next to a stunning view of the incoming tide.
The Art School Restaurant is one of the most well-loved eateries, serving stunning dishes from a building that used to be a home for children in the Victorian period. Beautifully prepared British cooking awaits you here; cheeseboards, cheese soufflé, roasted meats, and fresh vegetables. This is a high-end restaurant, and you will be required to book. A walk-in is near impossible with its popularity.
Next, we have Panoramic 24, a restaurant that literally towers over the streets of Liverpool. This eatery is located on the 34th floor of Liverpool’s West Tower, highlighting the skyline above the waters of the city. Between their cocktail lounge and their afternoon tea menu, you wouldn’t even need to attend dinner at this fabulous restaurant; lunch is definitely an option, too.
Maray offers some of the best vegetarian food in the city. The concept of the restaurant was born from a group of friends who wanted to bring a Parisian restaurant to the streets of Liverpool. Small plates, trendy food, and an intimate setting make up the atmosphere of Maray.
As for cafés, why not try one of these gems: Coast Café Bistro in Woolton Village, Filter and Fox on Duke Street, or Lovelocks in Old Haymarket.
Music and Entertainment
There are plenty of bars in Liverpool that have live entertainment. Bierkeller Liverpool is one of the liveliest; a bar that runs on a party while selling amazing beer, it has a very Oktoberfest feel. If that doesn’t seem like your scene, Revolucion De Cuba Liverpool lives right on Albert Dock, playing salsa beats and gaining huge crowds.
Lane7 is quite a unique place, too; a bar where you can play a game of bowling or crazy golf, or just go wild with some out-of-tune karaoke singing. It’s pretty quirky, and definitely something you’ll find nowhere else. Similarly, Roxy Ball Room is an entertainment bar with plenty of pool tables, pizza, and beers flowing all night long.
Of course, there’s also The Masquerade. An LGBT+-friendly bar with a line-up of burlesque performers that will make your head spin. Watch as the drama of the night unfolds, and the devil-may-care attitude fills the air of the club.
As for attractions in Liverpool, other than the Royal Albert Docks, there’s the Tate Liverpool, the Beatles Magical Mystery Tour, the Walker Art Gallery, and the beautiful Sefton Park.
The iconic Anfield Stadium home of Liverpool F.C. – tickets are guaranteed to be in short supply! Image: PhotoLondonUK/Shutterstock.com
Travelling within Liverpool
Luckily, Liverpool is a main travel location in England and there are plenty of trains that can get you there all hours of the day and night. As for travelling within Liverpool, you’ll be happy to know that the area of Liverpool and Merseyside has been split into several rail zones by Merseyrail trains.
Merseyrail trains run across 68 stations in and around the Liverpool area. There are four underground stations in the city centre: Lime Street lower level, Liverpool Central, Moorfields and James Street. Tickets are easy to buy, and you can purchase an All-Zone pass online which is emailed to you; meaning you don’t need to mess around at the various stations.
Bus travel in Liverpool is a green and cost-effective way to explore the city. The bus network is managed by Merseytravel, and there is a range of tickets that can suit your needs. An adult one-day ticket is just £4.80 for all zones in Liverpool; though there are also other tickets that include rail and ferry travel in the area, too.
We’d also like to mention the CityBike bicycle hire scheme. £10 is the maximum you’ll pay to rent your bike, but you can have it for free if you use it for 5 minutes or less. Just in case you change your mind!
Lastly, Mersey Ferries; who offer everything from a commuter service to cruises. It’s best to check their official website for prices and times, as well as trip routes.
Places to stay in Liverpool
Liverpool is home to a number of unique accommodations. One such hotel is the Titanic Hotel; a contemporary hotel on the inside, which looks like a stone and bring a version of the famous ship on the outside. There is a restaurant, spa, and a pool in the hotel, and it costs around £100 a night.
For a cosy but chic stay, Hotel Pullman can be found on the King’s Dock and costs just £56 a night. With your stay, you can benefit from a wine bar and a fitness centre. Thanks to its location by the waterfront, guests can access the thriving entertainment hub of the riverside with ease.
There are also many hostels and B&Bs in Liverpool, averaging less than £25 for a night’s stay.
AirBnBs are quite popular in Liverpool, allowing guests to get a real feel for the city if they are expecting a longer stay. There are luxury waterfront apartments, penthouse suites (including one that runs from the water tower), and even stunning houses that sleep up to 16 people!
