Based in the heart of North-West England, Liverpool is also Britain’s favourite day trip destination according to the national tourist board.
The waterfront area attracts millions of visitors each year to admire the rejuvenated Albert Dock.
The city centre is packed with magnificent buildings and splendid architecture.
A range of theatres offer first class productions to rival London’s West End and many tourists just come to Liverpool for its exciting nightlife. The city centre has a wide choice of cafes, bars, pubs and clubs. Mathew Street, the home of the Cavern Club, still attracts thousands of Beatles fans from all over the world.
The city is alive with musicians, poets, writers, artists, painters, sculptors, designers and architects - further enhancing its image as a European city of culture. Liverpool is also a serious sporting city. Liverpool and Everton football clubs are renowned the world over. Liverpool is also home to the world’s most famous horse race, the Grand National at Aintree.
The City Centre
Liverpool has a vibrant, welcoming city centre that has much to offer the seven million visitors it attracts each year. For example, you can:
Spend your money in the city’s wide-ranging shopping facilities, which include big high street names as Marks & Spencer, Littlewoods, John Lewis, Next and H&M.See some of the finest architecture in the world, such as the two cathedrals and the famous Liver Buildings.Discover the history of the city by visiting the Merseyside Maritime Museum or the Museum of Liverpool Life.Keep your finger on the pulse of Liverpool’s vibrant music scene by checking out an up and coming band at one of the city’s live music venues.See some of the finest architecture in the world, such as the two cathedrals and the famous Liver Buildings.Get caught up in the spectacle of a West End musical at the Liverpool Empire.Dare to be different and try out Russian, Thai or Mexican cuisine at one of Liverpool’s many restaurants - then go dancing at one of Liverpool’s many nightclubs.Culture and Tourism
Liverpool’s status as European Capital of Culture will aid in the ongoing regeneration process of the city’s infrastructure and build on the strong foundation of its cultural heritage. It is estimated that over the next fi ve years the city will benefi t from investments of more than £2 billion. The creative and sporting sector should expect a growth of 14,000 jobs. A projected £220 million will be spent on tourism, creating another 3,000 jobs
throughout the North West. In total, 1.7 million visitors will generate £50 million a year.
Liverpool is an international city. Its citizens came out of Africa, Ireland and the Far East, sometimes in triumph, at others in adversity. It is from this crucible of worldwide infl uences, this community of nations, that the vibrant spirit of the city is born.
It is an historical city, yet is looking ever forward to the future. Its breathtaking skyline embodies Liverpool’s maritime past as the British Empire’s gateway to the world. The magnificent architecture of The Three Graces; The Cunard, Liver and the Port of Liverpool Buildings, encapsulate a bygone era when the great shipping lines dominated the waterfront. Yet, a new Grace is to be set to bring it into the 21st century.
It is out of this prosperous past that the renaissance of Liverpool is flowering. The Albert Dock - the largest collection of Grade One Listed Buildings in the country - is the most popular attraction in Liverpool. Home of Tate Liverpool, the Maritime Museum and the Beatles Story, the site forms part of Liverpool’s bid to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A recent study on behalf of Liverpool City Council, Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, Liverpool Vision, and Mersey Ferries, has led to plans for a £10.5 million cruise liner terminal to be completed by 2005.
The city is renowned not only for its architecture - Liverpool was recently acknowledged by the Guinness Book of Hit Singles as “World Capital of Pop”. As the birthplace of the Beatles, the city offers guided tours of places of interest on the Magical Mystery Tour. And the world-famous Matthew Street, home of the Cavern Club, is a mecca to fans around the world.
Capital of Culture
In June 2003 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and announced that Liverpool will be the UK’s nomination for European Capital of Culture 2008.
The European Capital of Culture programme gives European cities an ideal opportunity to celebrate the cultural accomplishments of Europe’s great cities and to involve the community as a whole in that celebration. There will be a new European Capital of Culture every year from 2005 onwards, and in 2008, the European Capital of Culture will be the UK and Liverpool beat off 11 other contenders for the title.
The competition was fierce, but the title was very much worth the battle - an independent study showed it will be worth 14,000 jobs and£2 billion of inward investment to the city. Liverpool’s bid had the support of not just the city council but also many cultural and business leaders.
Specific benefits to the city will also include local and regional regeneration, increased tourism, greater business activity and an overall increase in cultural activities.
In 1990, Glasgow was the last UK city to have the City of Culture status, and experienced substantial economic and social benefits during its period as the City of Culture, both strengthening and promoting its own impressive regeneration.
Attractions
There are many attractions in Liverpool that can be enjoyed by the whole family and you will always fi nd somewhere that keeps everyone happy, whether their interests lie in history, football or shopping!
Many of the most popular attractions are The Albert Docks, the museums (including the Tate Liverpool and Merseyside Maritime Museum), The Beatles (including Paul McCartneys’ home), Speke Hall, Croxteth Hall and Country Park, Liverpool FC Experience, Everton FC Stadium Tours, the city’s Cathedrals and many more!