Liverpool Overview
Liverpool is in the North-West of England and is famed for being a maritime city due to its port, the Merseyside river and the dock that is famed for being the starting point of the Titanic. The port has been the route of all the progression of Liverpool as a city, from the misery of famine emigration rivalled by the vast amounts of wealth that has made the city what it is today.
Liverpool has been through some up’s and down’s in terms of wealth but has always boasted a rich heritage of arts, culture and historical buildings that impose a sense of strength throughout the city. The construction of Liverpool Cathedral started in 1904 and a whopping 74 years later it was finished, it is now the largest cathedral in the UK and the fifth largest in the world and is the seat of the Bishop of Liverpool. The cathedral plan to raise £24 million by 2024 in order to restore the cathedral to near perfect condition so that it stays a landmark of Liverpool for 100’s of years to come. If you are travelling in to Liverpool via the Merseyside River you will see the Three Graces. The Three Graces are a series of three buildings; The Royal Liver Building, The Cunard building and The Port of Liverpool building. The Royal Liver Building has two Liver birds at the top of the two towers, a local myth states that if the two birds were to fly away then Liverpool would cease to exist (let’s hope not). The Liver birds are the city’s emblem which can be found dotted around the city on different buildings. The Liver birds became the emblem of Liverpool as a representation of the wives that stayed at home awaiting the return of their sailor husbands.
If you enjoy shopping, then Liverpool is the best place for you with what seems like endless roads of shops ranging from department stores down to independent shops, prices also vary depending on your budget and style. Liverpool One is a large shopping centre placed right in the middle of the city just next to the waterfront, it has over 170 shops accompanied by lively bars and restaurants that serve delicious food all day long. If you fancy to rest your feet whilst you are shopping, then head over to the Odeon that is situated inside the shopping centre which boasts 18 screens. During the festive season you will find fantastic Christmas markets set up at St George’s Hall, the market will have 40 stalls meaning you will struggle not to find something for your family or friends. There will also be food stalls and stalls serving mulled wine so that you can stay warm and shop till your hearts content.
Opened in 1846 The Royal Albert Dock has been a major part of Liverpool’s history ever since. It was originally built to store stock and unload boats travelling into the river Mersey, it dominated global trade during the 19th century and earned its world heritage status in 2004. It is now a place of museums, shops, bars and restaurants and has millions of visitors each year, with beautiful views across the Mersey in the summer and beautifully lit up during the Christmas period the Royal Albert Dock has been at the heart of Liverpool ever since it opened. The museums and galleries that currently occupy the dock are; Merseyside Maritime Museum, The Beatles Story Museum, Tate Liverpool art gallery and the International Slavery Museum.
Things to do in Liverpool
Liverpool and arguably the UK’s best band has several attractions that you can visit to learn more about the iconic 4 Liverpool lads, if you haven’t guessed it already the answer is, The Beatles. As mentioned in the overview the Royal Albert Dock is home to ‘The Beatles Story’ which is a museum all about the lives of the fab four all the way from their childhood to their solo careers. Make sure you book in advance if you decide to visit the museum, they offer discounts for students making the ticket £12.50. Once you have learnt all about the Beatles then make your way to Strawberry Field which was the site of a former children’s home ran by the Salvation Army and was the inspiration behind the Beatles song ‘Strawberry fields forever’.
One of the best ways to see Liverpool’s beautiful city is by taking a tour down the Mersey where you will find out about the city’s skyline and how it has become the city it now is today. All you have to do is sit back, relax and listen to the tour guide tell you all the information you need, make sure you bring your camera as some of the views are simply breath taking. If you aren’t all toured’ out then jump on a darkside of Liverpool tour, this tour is an hour and a half long on which you will visit two cathedrals, hear all about the ghost stories of the city and finish the tour at St James’ Gardens where 58,000 souls are buried, plus much more.
If you would like to see the city from the height of a bird in flight, then you should visit the Radio City tower. Boasting heights of 138m you are able to get a 360-degree view of the city you will be living in and see just how big the city is, not a great idea for those who are afraid of heights! During the summer months you are able to visit Pier Head, this is a village that has rides, shops, restaurants, bars, entertainment and even an art fair. This village is only open from July to September as it is right on the waterfront and a local favourite.
For those of you who fancy al drink in a great atmosphere with pumping music, then Concert Square is the place for you with an array of pubs, clubs and bars this is the perfect place for you and your friends. It is also popular with students as the selection of places to drink is unrivalled. For those of you who prefer a wider range of drinks and music then Seel Street (Ropewalks) is the place for you, with a variety of different bars you will be able find a vibe that suits you. You will find cocktail bars and pubs serving varied ranges of craft beers which is currently a huge hit with the students of Liverpool.
Sport in Liverpool
Liverpool is home to one of the biggest football rivalries in the UK, on one side of Stanley Park you have Liverpool and across the green you have Everton, this is a rivalry that has been going ever since the two clubs started and makes for a great atmosphere on matchday. Liverpool is home to 13 leisure centres and all of them are equipped to help you keep as healthy a lifestyle as you can, make sure you look around before acquiring a membership as some of these centres offer student discounts. Aintree racecourse is also situated in Liverpool and is the home of the Grand National which is held in April every year and is arguably the biggest horse racing event of the year.
Escape Liverpool
Liverpool has a vast surrounding of places that would make a great day out. If you head North, you will reach Southport which has six miles of sandy beaches making it the perfect place to go in the summer. If you head East, you will come to Manchester which similarly to Liverpool has a lot to offer and you will struggle not to find something to fill your day. In the South-East you will find Snowdonia National Park which has the highest mountain in Wales and it makes for a great day out with some exhilarating views of the Irish Sea.
Transport in Liverpool
The motorway coverage in and around Liverpool is great and from there you will be able to get to most parts of the UK. You will be able to make train journeys from Liverpool to London and all other major cities in England. The city has great public transport with busses coming every so often and a metro that links most parts of the city. Liverpool’s John Lennon airport and Manchester Airport are also very close to the city making it perfect for international students.
