17 Reasons to visit Liverpool beyond The Beatles
Almost always, the first thought that comes to mind when we hear about Liverpool is that it is the birthplace of the incomparable Beatles. Whether we are fans of the band or just part of our general cultural knowledge, the truth is that much of the information we will find about the city of Liverpool revolves around this historic group.
But beyond the Beatles, Liverpool is a city with a lot to offer. Liverpool is a unique, beautiful and lovable city, with tons of history that has marked it through the years. I don’t want this point to be misunderstood, if you are going to visit Liverpool of course you have to do the Beatles tour, visit the museum and attend The Cavern; but if your trip focuses only on this tour, you would be missing out on so much more than you can imagine.
So with this in mind, here is a list of ‘extra’ reasons why you should visit Liverpool:
1. The people
📷 Yes, the people. While Londoners have a reputation for being reserved, the people of Liverpool, or Scousers, have a reputation for being the friendliest and most fun-loving people in the whole of the UK. On the buses, on the streets, in the corner shop, Scousers love to strike up conversations and if you need to ask them a question about the city; they’ll be so proud of it that they’ll kindly give you all the directions you need in their distinctive, thick accents.
But if conversation isn’t your thing, just sitting and people-watching will be a total delight. Liverpool is a city without prejudice and the parade of the most varied personalities and attire is the best example of this.
2. The beach
The areas surrounding Liverpool boast some of the most beautiful beaches in the UK and are the perfect place to soak up the sun on your holiday. Formby Beach, which is actually outside of Liverpool, is impressively large and beautiful, with surrounding dunes and pine forests ideal for hiking.
Just six miles north of the city centre is Crosby Beach, home to Anthony Gormley’s ‘Another Place’, a work of art made up of over 100 life-size steel statues of people known as ‘the steel men’. These statues were placed all along the beach and each one of them is “standing” in front of the sea in solitary and silent contemplation.
The artist has explained that these statues seek to represent man’s relationship with nature, without heroes, without ideals, just a man in the middle of his life trying to stand and breathe, facing a horizon full of boats and the gentle movement of the planet. And that is precisely what this beach is able to make us feel, that contemplation in which for a moment we can just breathe peacefully. Poetic.
3. The food
📷 When people say the UK is a bad place to eat, it’s probably because they’ve never tried Liverpool’s traditional dishes. The best you can eat is scouse, a dish made with lamb (sometimes beef), potatoes, carrots, onions and gravy. It’s the kind of dish that grandmothers make and can take you back to your childhood from the first bite. Some places in Liverpool city to enjoy a plate of scouse are Maggie May, Thomas Rigby and The Baltic Fleet.
And if you’re in any city in the UK, Liverpool being no exception, you definitely have to try fish and chips. Add tartar sauce, salt and vinegar or ketchup and you’ll see why they’re a firm favourite in this country.
If you’ve woken up a little late after a night of partying the day before, then you must try the brunch, a breakfast-lunch mix of hearty and delicious dishes. And if it’s time for dinner, you can’t miss out on an excellent meat dish. There are many places to enjoy good food such as Camp & Furnace, The Monro, Delifonseca and Central Perk (yes, like the one on Friends).
But if you’re looking for a place to speak Spanish, check out Lunya, the Catalan restaurant in Albert Dock with some really delicious dishes and a Catalan-style variation on scouse that’s worth a try. Other places, though not Spanish, include Lucha Libre (Mexican) and Alma de Cuba.
4. Nightlife
Liverpool by night is as wonderful as Liverpool by day. Camp & Furnace is perhaps one of the best places to enjoy a few drinks. Santa Chupitos and El Bandito are also two good places to enjoy a good atmosphere and cheap drinks. During the summer a great place to go is The Kazimier Garden, a garden bar that often has live music and a great atmosphere that will make for a great night out.
Among the best bars we can also mention Alma de Cuba, which has become one of the most famous places to go out at night and enjoy a few drinks, of course after The Cavern, the bar where the Beatles’ career began and which has two venues, the first is the original bar which includes some exhibition rooms of the “Fab 4” and the other which is a more modern version, but just as interesting.
5. Shopping
Even if you’re not a fan of shopping, a holiday trip is a shopping must and the best place in Liverpool to do it is Liverpool One. Here you can find all kinds of traditional shops, restaurants, bars, cafes and many special places for entertainment; something very characteristic of this area is that you can find pianos in the streets which you can use freely, sometimes you can see children trying to play simple pieces, while at other times you might be surprised by real professionals of the instrument filling the streets with music for a few minutes.
6. Football
It’s almost impossible to talk about Liverpool without mentioning football, as the city is home to two of the oldest teams in the history of the sport, Everton and Liverpool. So if you can get your hands on tickets, you should schedule your visit to Liverpool when these two teams meet; listening to the crowd in the stadium is an experience that can make your skin crawl.
But if you can’t make it, watching either team play is a worthwhile experience if you’re a football fan. Hearing the stadium sing “You Will Never Walk Alone” during a Liverpool game is certainly spectacular.
7. Cathedrals and churches
Liverpool has two of the most amazing cathedrals in the world: the Anglican and the Catholic. They are so different in appearance, but both beautiful. The Anglican cathedral is a classic medieval Gothic building with the highest arches in the world, the tallest bell tower and the heaviest bell.
The Catholic cathedral is a modern-style circular building, with seating for over 2,000 parishioners, which sits at the end of a large atrium of steps that give the appearance of ascending a Mayan temple.
In addition to these two magnificent works of architecture, there is also St. Luke’s Church. At first glance you may not think there is anything unusual or wonderful about this church, but when you look closer you will see that it is an amazing site. The church was bombed during the Second World War and although the interior was destroyed, the outside remains intact, so it is now just the four outer walls and an empty interior, but this does not detract from the beauty of the place.
Special events are held here, some of them free, so if you are in Liverpool you can check the notice board at the entrance and find out what events are coming up.
8. The parks
did you know that Liverpool has more parks than Paris? Yes, it does. It’s one of the best things about living in Liverpool. Sefton Park is particularly beautiful and has won some awards for its natural environment. The park is home to a building called The Palm House, which hosts events throughout the year, from concerts to massive yoga classes. It is even the place where many couples choose to get married.
Another amazing park is Calderstones Park, where many Country Running events are held. But if you want to enjoy a moment of relaxation without leaving the city centre, the best option is to visit Chavasse Park, right next to Liverpool One.
9. Vibrant hostels
Staying in some cities in the UK often means spending a lot of money if you want accommodation worth staying in. In the case of Liverpool, being a young city and perfect for backpackers, you can find very good hostels.
Sleeping in a hostel on our visit to Liverpool is the best option in terms of money and comfort. A good choice is Euro Hostel Liverpool which is located right in the city centre and has super modern facilities. Rooms are available from €18 per person.
Hostels in Liverpool | Flights to Liverpool
10. The Art
Liverpool is a city full of art. Among the art galleries you should visit during your tour of Liverpool are Walker Art Gallery, Tate Gallery, Open Eye Gallery, FACT and The Bluecoat. But it is not only in galleries that you can enjoy good art, in many streets of Liverpool you can find sculptures or graffiti by different artists.
11. Music in Liverpool
This is not intended to be an “Anti-Beatles” article, but did you know that Liverpool has more artists with songs that have reached number one, than anywhere else in the UK. A lot of talent on the world stage has come from Liverpool and of course the Beatles are a testament to that and were the ones who opened the world’s eye to the city. But over the years Liverpool has offered much more musical talent, including: Frankie goes to Hollywood, Gerry and the Peacemakers, Cast, Billy Fury, Cilla Black… all from Liverpool.
Music is still an important part of the city and there are many great places to enjoy live music, from bars, pubs and the special events that take place every weekend in different parts of Liverpool. Who knows, maybe you could be listening to the beginnings of the next band to make history.
12. The festivals
The people of Liverpool sure know how to party, so you can always expect the best at festivals. Probably the biggest and best known festival is Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF). As the name suggests, guest artists from far and wide come to this festival to share their music. It’s an event definitely worth experiencing.
African Oyé Festival or the street art festival that recently took place in the city are just a few examples of how much festivals are enjoyed in Liverpool and these are an excellent option when travelling to the city to enjoy a great time without sacrificing too much of your budget, as most of these are free of charge.
This 2016 is the year of the Liverpool Biennial, a biennial arts festival that brings the city to life with a series of art shows, fireworks and more.
13. The architecture
Liverpool is an amazing city when it comes to architecture and if you arrive in the city by train you can witness some of the best views from the moment you get off at Lime Street station as you’ll come across St. George Hall. This is one of the finest examples of neoclassical architecture, the place truly looks like something out of a fairytale scene. Nearby you will also find the Central Library, Walker Art Gallery and the World Museum, which are also architecturally beautiful buildings.
If you like Gregorian architecture, Liverpool is the right city for you as it has very well preserved streets, around Rodney Street and Mount Pleasant and also close to the cathedrals.
A little further out of the city is Speke Hall which dates back to the 1500s and has the feel of a place Shakespeare would have frequented. A visit here is a great way to spend a few hours of your trip.
14. The views
All of these architecturally beautiful buildings create some of the best panoramic views you’ll get in Liverpool. The best way to see them is to take a ferry across the Mersey. Alternatively, take the train from Lime Street or Liverpool Central to Birkenhead Central and then on to Hamilton Square. A few minutes walk from here will take you to the wonderful beaches from where you can see the beautiful panoramic views the city has to offer.
15. The museums
Liverpool has a long and interesting history so it’s not surprising that the city is full of museums of various kinds. There’s the Merseyside Maritime Museum, Victoria Gallery and Museum and the Museum of Liverpool, all of which are located in Albert Dock.
But perhaps the most interesting and controversial of the museums is the International Slavery Museum, which focuses on presenting the history of the movement of slaves from Africa to the UK and on to other parts of the world. A very large number of slaves passed through Liverpool on their way to Europe and the Americas, passing through the most deplorable and horrible conditions and treatment along the way.
The controversial part of this museum lies in the fact that many historical facts are believed to have been downplayed to make it seem that the UK was less involved in the slave trade, however, this museum is a good starting point to learn about this event that marked an era in the history of mankind.
16. Maritime connections
If you’re visiting Liverpool you can’t leave without seeing the Albert Dock, but not just because it’s home to the city’s main attractions, but because of its significance to Liverpool. The docks were the trigger for the city’s growth, bombed during World War II, long forgotten and finally restored in 1980.
Today these reconstructed docks are home to a host of bars, restaurants, museums and much more, and are the centre of most tourist activity in Liverpool.
17. The River Mersey
So much of what Liverpool was, is and will be in the future is down to the River Mersey, so it’s worth mentioning in this list of reasons to visit Liverpool. Inevitably, at some point during your stay, you will find yourself strolling along the banks of the river. Take a moment to stop and simply take in the sights, think of all those things its waters have witnessed over time and appreciate this wonderful city in all its glory.
Visit Liverpool, you won’t regret it 🙂
About the author:
Adrian writes for TricksLondon.com about life in the UK. If you want more information about visiting Liverpool and sightseeing in the UK feel free to visit the blog.
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