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Liverpool is famous for its musical heritage; in the late 1950s, social and economic difficulties, combined with a population that included many people of Irish origin, laid the foundation for the rise of Merseyside music.

Liverpool also had strong links to the U.S.A., giving the younger generation access to Rock and Roll music and new instruments such as electric guitars. From these beginnings, Liverpool produced some of the finest artists and bands of all time.

The Beatles

Perhaps the most famous band of all time, The Beatles were part of

the Merseybeat movement

and members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were all born and raised in Liverpool. Beginning in 1960, the group went on to sell an incredible one billion records, and hits such as “She Loves You” and “Hey Jude” are considered classics. When they disbanded the group in 1970 all the members had solo success; unfortunately John Lennon was assassinated in 1980, and George Harrison died in 2001.

Cilla Black

Singer Cilla Black was born in the Scotland Road area of Liverpool in 1943. Noticed by The Beatles in the Cavern Club, she was subsequently signed by their manager Brian Epstein. She went on to record hits such as “Anyone Who Had a Heart” and “You’re My World”, and had success throughout the sixties and seventies. Once her singing career ended she became a Television presenter, and has since been awarded the OBE.

Frankie Goes To Hollywood

Frankie Goes to Hollywood formed in Liverpool in the late 1970s, and by the mid-eighties their blend of electro-rock and controversial lyrics had propelled them into the mainstream.

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Renowned for their risqué videos, a BBC ban on their hit “Relax” helped their first three singles reach number one in the UK charts in 1984.

Soon afterwards internal divisions led to their split, and since then only singer Holly Johnson has had any kind of solo success.

Lightning Seeds

The Lightning Seeds are an alternative rock band, created as a solo project for musician Ian Broudie in 1989. Commercial success came in the mid-nineties when he formed a touring band, and hits such as “Lucky You”, and “Marvellous” soon followed. They are best remembered for their number 1 theme to the Euro 96 football championship “Three Lions”, written with comedians Frank Skinner and David Baddiel. Although they have undergone various personnel changes, the band is still touring.

Read more about Liverpool on the City Council website: www.liverpool.gov.uk

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1.Hope Street Hotel – Comfortable and nice, it offers great amenities and excellent service. An award-winning boutique hotel, it is owned and run privately. Wide screen TV with DVD players, rain dance showerheads, and Egyptian cotton sheets are present in the suites and double-bedded rooms. The Carriageworks Eaterie has some amazing a la carte and bistro offerings in its menu, which you can enjoy in an open dining space with wooden floor and brick windows.

2.Hard Day’s Night Hotel – This one is for die-hard Beatles fans. It is the ultimate place for Beatles lovers and has unique artwork, with luxurious and spacious accommodation. Each room of this hotel has a distinct characteristic and has been decorated tastefully. The hotel has a restaurant, Blake’s that offers British cuisine and some home-cooked recipes. This hotel displays some magnificent Beatles-inspired art work, which makes it a perfect place to stay.

3.Suite Dreams – Taking you back to the Victorian era, this hotel features a classic wrought-iron and mahogany staircase in its lobby. Its contemporary and modern interiors beautifully compliment the Victorian architecture, while it offers you a luxurious stay with all modern amenities. This one is a wonderful place to stay, whether you are on a business trip or a fun family one.

4.The Print Hotel – One of its types, it was originally a tea warehouse. The hotel runs in an impressively beautiful copper-clad building and has contemporary décor. Its lounge has ample seating space and the hotel also offers free Wi-Fi connectivity. The rooms are well-designed with high ceilings, huge windows with seating areas, custom-made furniture, original architectural features and beautiful lighting arrangement.

Whichever play you opt for, select one that suits your taste and requirement. Whether you are on a family vacation or a business trip, the place you stay in has a huge role to play in making your trip a memorable one.

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A walk on the docks

If you go for a walk along the Albert Docks you will see some excellent buildings such as the Liverpool Ports Building. This is also the geographical location of the Museum of Liverpool (See below) and Beatles and Elvis Museums.

Visit the Museum of Liverpool

The Museum of Liverpool has a contemporary design and enriches the Albert Dock scenery. The upper floor of the museum focuses on life in Liverpool. This part of the museum is called the ‘Wondrous Place’ exhibition. More specifically the focus here is on the local accent, the football clubs, and the music. From the vantage point of the upper floor the visitor has a superb view of the River Mersey.

Take the Ferry across the Mersey

The River Mersey Ferry Trips are a must-do activity for visitors to Liverpool. The reason for this is not only the great views of the city but also for the ferry experience itself.

Pay homage to the Beatles

The Beatles performed at the Cavern Club on February 9th 1961. Little wonder then that this is a club that is frequently visited. It is one of the most famous clubs in the world. Not only have the Beatles performed here but so too have Elton John, The Kinks, Queen, The Who and the Rolling Stones… to name just some of the many world famous singers and bands that have played at the Cavern Club. Many people come here to be photographed outside the club. And there is a Beatles tribute night every Saturday.

Liverpool Football Club- Tour of the stadium

It only costs £15 for a tour of Liverpool Football Club’s Anfield stadium. So if you are a football fan then this is something that may be worth doing due to Liverpool F.C.s proud history. Tours begin every hour. So if you can’t resist hearing about how Liverpool dominated english football throughout the 1980s and if you want to see inside the stadium (e.g. the pictures of Liverpool legends such as Dalglish, Rush, Barnes, Keegan… that line the walls of the inside of Anfield Stadium) then this is for you!

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The Beatles

The Beatles were made up of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr and are to this day the best selling band in history. Fans are still buying their music, despite the band splitting up over 30 years ago in 1970, so it is no surprise that people still want to visit Liverpool to make a connection with the band.

Places to visit

There are a number of places in Liverpool that fans of The Beatles may wish to visit. The Cavern Club is where it all began for the band. They played this venue several times in their early days and Beatles tribute bands can often be found playing here. Whilst there is a lot of focus around The Beatles, it is still a place that is played by up and coming local talent as well as established artists, so you can still go along and experience the atmosphere.

The Beatles Story is a museum that follows the band from their early beginnings through global Beatlemania and on to their solo careers, including recreations of the cobbled streets of Hamburg and the Cavern Club, along with a behind the scenes look at Abbey Road Studios. The Beatles Story also includes a 4D cinema experience where fans can journey through The Beatles’ music.

There are a number of companies offering Beatles related tours, perhaps one of the most appropriately named is the Magical Mystery Tour. Locations that this tour visits include Ringo Starr, John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s childhood homes, George Harrison’s birthplace, schools and colleges which the band attended, St Peter’s Church Hall, where John Lennon and Paul McCartney first met and places that have inspired their songs; Strawberry Field and Penny Lane. The tour ends at the Cavern Club and the ticket includes re-admission on the date of your tour.

For those wanting to get up close and personal, guided tours of John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s childhood homes where some of their earliest songs were written and rehearsed. These tours sell out quite quickly so it is definitely worth booking in advance of your visit to avoid disappointment.

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Walker Art Gallery

Soak up the culture at the Walker Art Gallery, one of the best art collections found outside of the capital. On the ground floor you will discover the Sculpture Gallery and the Craft and Design Gallery – this is where you will be truly amazed by the various exhibitions featuring glassware, ceramics and furniture that once graced the homes of some of the biggest earliest industrialists.

Head up to the first floor where each and every one of your senses will burst into life with each painting you lay your eyes upon. The collection of art here mainly dates from the 18th and 19th centuries and heavily features Liverpool and her economic transformation. Artists such as George Stubbs, Degas, Cezanne, Money and John Hoyland can all be found here, along with many more.

Liverpool Cathedral

The Liverpool Cathedral is an architectural beauty and although it looks as though it was constructed centuries ago, it wasn’t complete until 1978. The magnum opus of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, it is the largest cathedral in the country and the fifth largest in the world. The soaring Gothic arches appear to touch the sky and the bells make the building look incredibly beautiful and grand. But the grandest part of a visit to the Liverpool Cathedral awaits you at the top – the views of the Welsh hills look as though they were transported out of a fairy tale.

Merseyside Maritime Museum

Head to the Merseyside Maritime Museum where you will be taken on a fascinating journey of the past. Located in one wing of the Albert Dock, the basement is where you will discover Seized, a gallery dedicated to Liverpool’s history of smuggling. Another gallery features exhibits devoted to the city’s role as the departure point for so many emigrants to various parts of the world, as well as the departure point for three of the most famous unfortunate ships, including the Titanic.

Visiting Liverpool means visiting a city full of fun, culture and sophistication all rolled into one, read more about the attractions in Liverpool. The city enjoys a fantastic nightlife and entertainment scene, making it an enjoyable destination after a hard day’s exploration of its historical and cultural side.

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Liverpool’s Role in Slavery

The British Empire has dark spots in its history in reference to the now abolished slave trade, and Liverpool was played a big part in this. Being one of the busiest ports in the world, it saw the arrival of its first slave ship in 1700; bringing a payload of 220 African slaves to British shores. Built to house 100 ships, the world’s first ‘wet dock’ was constructed in Liverpool not fifteen years later which quickly saw 80% of the Empire’s Atlantic slave trade being siphoned through the Mersey. This accounted for a staggering 40% of the entire world’s slavery trading. The competition with England’s two other busiest port and slave cities (Bristol and London) saw Liverpool make leaps and bounds in metropolitanization and contest with the powerful cities of the south.

Industrial Revolution

When slavery was abolished in the mid 1800s, Liverpool’s prominence as a port and city made it a perfect breeding ground for the innovation of the industrial revolution. The world’s first city-to-city railway line was built in Britain, linking Liverpool with its fellow Lancashire powerhouse of Manchester. Before the end of the nineteenth century, Liverpool collected another achievement of world firsts in the railway; being the first city to operate a fully functioning overhead electrically powered railway. The Irish Famine of the mid 1800s drove thousands of migrants across the sea and into Liverpool, so much so that by 1851 a quarter of Liverpudlians were Irish-born.

City Status and the Twentieth Century

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By 1900 Liverpool was officially granted city status and opened a University, seeing its population tip the scales at 700,000. During this time it became the ‘second city’ of England, a role that would be taken by Birmingham in the coming century. Construction reached an explosion and buildings were being thrown up in record time including the Anglican Cathedral and the world famous Liver Building. The famously ill-fated Titanic was supposed to sail from Liverpool being home to the registered port and the owners, but Southampton became its departure port. Changes in demand in the early 20th century saw unemployment rise on the Merseyside and Liverpool began to develop a reputation for violence and poverty amongst the lower classes.

Liverpool Today

After the stagnation and WWII, Liverpool was revitalised and fast-tracked into the 21st century (barring a slump of further unemployment in the 80s.) Liverpool is now known as a cosmopolitan and modern city, being classed as a World Heritage Site and European Capital for Culture in 2008.

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For glamour and glitz: Alma de Cuba

Alma de Cuba has been open for less than 10 years and is already well-established as a Liverpool institution. Set in a former Catholic Church dating back to 1788 it is a multi-purpose venue – part bar, part club and part restaurant. The beautiful building provides a stunning backdrop for superb food and sitting in the mezzanine level restaurant you are able to soak up the buzzy atmosphere from beneath whilst still enjoying your own dining experience.

The menu is large and eclectic with something for everyone. It spans everything from modern British to Mediterranean to pan-Asian and everything from the ingredients to service and presentation is top quality. Starters are priced around £7 and include delights such as mackerel and chorizo with smoked chilli puree or Thai style broth. Mains cost between £12 and £25 with excellent steaks accompanied by delicious crispy fries, an inventive risotto combining butternut squash, sage and orange oil, and an Asian-style sea bass among the options. Highly recommended.

For a British bistro: Puschka

Puschka is an unpretentious bistro that serves high quality modern British food with a French twist. It has a slightly bohemian vibe and a great atmosphere and with an early bird menu at less than £20 for three courses and wine it’s great value too. It ticks all the usual seasonal and local boxes and the food is perfectly seasoned and very well executed.

For Thai: Chaophraya

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Named after the river on which Bangkok is situated there are also restaurants in Leeds and Manchester and it’s easy to see why they have been able to expand. The food and service at Chaophraya are a notch or two above your standard Thai offering and the décor is superb too. The restaurant beautifully balances traditional Thai and modern styling to create a space that is a pleasure to eat in. The menu is large without sacrificing quality and vegetarians and fish eaters are particularly well catered for.

For everyone: Il Forno

Il Forno is an Italian restaurant that manages to cater equally well to families, large groups or a couple looking to enjoy a romantic dinner. It has won several awards for its authenticity and fine food and the service has that beautiful “Italianess” that combines efficiency with a slight brusqueness, offset with a sparkle of Italian charm. The menu is well-priced with a good mix of classic dishes and more unusual specials, the pizza from the ornate oven is particularly recommended.

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1. Liverpool is the second most filmed city in England, having provided the location for films from the new Sherlock Holmes film to the Harry Potter series of films.
2. The Liverpool John Lennon Airport is Europe’s fastest growing airport.
3. Liverpool has Europe’s longest established Chinese community.
4. The most victorious footballing city in England, Liverpool’s awards include: six League cups, five European cups, 12 FA cups and 27 League championships.
5. There are over 40 golf courses in and around Liverpool.
6. Liverpool’s Anglican cathedral is the biggest in Britain, and fifth largest in the world.
7. Home to Europe’s biggest regeneration scheme, Liverpool has undergone a one billion pound ‘Liverpool One’ overhaul.

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Towards the top of the scale lies the Hope Street Hotel, Liverpool’s first boutique hotel, situated near the philharmonic hall, with a view of the cathedrals and surrounded by genuine Georgian buildings.

The Hard Days Night Hotel pays homage to The Beatles and, as it is located right in the city centre, it is close to all the city entertainment. With an excellent cocktail bar and restaurant, this hotel is one of Liverpool’s finest, offering deluxe comfort and a memorable stay.

If you are looking for a less-pricey hotel experience, Roscoe House is a gorgeous, Georgian themed hotel, located right in the Georgian quarter. Cheaper than its more luxurious counterparts, never-the-less this hotel boasts Egyptian-cotton linen and complimentary Wi-Fi in every room. Continue reading.

If you are on a budget, there are many comfortable and affordable hotels providing excellent service and accommodation. The Park Hotel is located right next to the world-famous Aintree Racecourse, and has recently undergone major refurbishment. The Devonshire House Hotel is famed for its friendly service and gorgeous surroundings; set just outside of Liverpool proper, the landscaped gardens provide a refreshing contrast to the city centre.

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The family-friendly Olive Press Italian restaurant is located in the city centre, and uses fresh ingredients in a range of modern and traditional Italian dishes in a relaxing atmosphere. If you want to try some Greek cuisine, there are few places better than Christakis, which offers really traditional cuisine in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Most restaurants have online menus so you can decide which type of cuisine will suit your tastes whilst getting an idea of the price range.

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