5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Liverpool
Known for its memorable (or not-so-memorable!) nights on the town and its multicultural diversity, but better known for its football clubs and music history, Liverpool is a vibrant UK city begging to be explored.
Liverpool has long had connections with the rest of the world; its longstanding relationships with Ireland being one, as the ferry from Dublin to Liverpool was one of the major links connecting both England and Ireland. In the industrial age, emigration from Ireland to Liverpool was very common and formed the grounded and much-loved Irish community in Liverpool that we still see today.
Its compact and easily navigable (if you’ll excuse the maritime play on words!) layout makes it easy to explore everything that the city has to offer, and trust me when I say that there is something for everyone, and if you don’t believe me, here are 5 reasons why you should visit Liverpool.
It’s the birthplace of the Beatles
If you love The Beatles, Liverpool is the birthplace of the band. Liverpool is bursting with Beatle’s history, from Strawberry Field to The Cavern Club, whether you’re a die-hard fan or you just about nod your head to a few of their more popular anthems, Liverpool is the best place to begin your Beatles journey.
Strawberry Field
Yes, you can actually visit Strawberry Field, as referenced by John Lennon himself. It’s now an exhibition that visitors can explore, shop and dine in. You can also see the original red Strawberry Field gates and visit the tranquil gardens and as of 2020 the piano played by John Lennon when he both composed and recorded ‘Imagine’ is now found at Strawberry Field, but only on loan, so head on over ASAP! You have to book your tickets in advance.
The Cavern Club
One of the most famous clubs in the world, hosting many a famous name from The Rolling Stones to Oasis, Adele, and of course, the Beatles, the Cavern Club stands as one of the most iconic clubs and milestone venues in music history. You can visit the club itself, and stand where Paul, John, Ringo and George once stood, in what is coined the birthplace of the Beatles. The Club is open 7 days a week from 11am onwards and live music is played daily from 11:30am until late evening. However, you should book your admission before your visit, which you can do here.
Penny Lane
Made famous as a result of the iconic Beatles song ‘Penny Lane,’ it was the street on which both Paul and John caught the bus into Liverpool city centre and to perform at the Cavern Club. The street can be found in the South of Liverpool city, and can be accessed via any of Liverpool’s Beatle tours, including the Magical Mystery Tour. And remember the Barber shop the song mentions? It’s still there, so see if you can spy it on your next visit.
The Beatles Statue
Along Liverpool waterfront you can find the fab four in the flesh, well, not quite. Their presence in the city of Liverpool has been preserved in iconic statues of the members since September of 2015, thanks to a donation from the Cavern Club. The statues weigh a whopping 1.2 tonnes and stand larger than life sized. You can view them at any time at Liverpool Pier head to capture you own iconic photo with the band.
So much food!
Liverpool has one of the best food and drinks scenes you can visit. The cuisines offered are varied and diverse, and the types of venues range from independents, pop-ups, classic chains, bistros and fine-dining restaurants. If you want to experience Liverpool’s foodie scene at its finest, you need to head straight for Bold Street. You’ll find Liverpool’s best loved restaurants on this stretch, including Mowgli street food, Elif Turkish restaurant and Ban Di Bul Korean BBQ (all of which are equally delicious – trust me).
For something a little lighter, Bold Street has some quaint café’s to grab yourself a cuppa and a break after your long treks exploring the city. Bold Street Coffee and Leaf are two popular pit-stops where you can refuel before continuing to explore everything that the city has to offer.
It’s rich in history: Liverpool Docks
The docks of Liverpool dominated world trade during the 1800’s, and they’re pretty iconic to this day. The vibrant red-brick architecture of the Royal Albert Dock has become the heart of the city, standing as part of the city’s World Heritage waterfront. Within the 1800’s, 40% of the world’s trade passed through Liverpool docks and so played a central role in the growth of the British Empire.
The Royal Albert Dock is now home to a number of restaurants, the Tate Museum and the Liverpool Maritime Museum, both of which are free to enter. You can also learn more about Liverpool’s important role in the Titanic’s history at the Maritime museum’s permanent exhibition “Titanic and Liverpool: The untold story”.
It’s one of the best night outs in the UK
I think it’s common knowledge (over here in the UK anyway!) that Liverpool is one of the best – albeit rowdiest – nights out on the town one can have, and definitely not one you’d forget anytime soon.
Concert Square
Concert Square is considered the heart of Liverpool’s night life. It’s the crossroads that will lead you down nearly every street filled with bars and clubs that Liverpool has to offer. You can find McCooley’s, Liverpool’s favourite Irish bar in the square itself, for drinks and a spot of pool if that’s something you enjoy. Or you can check out Soho, which offers Shisha and drinks situated in the middle of the square itself.
Fleet street, Wood street, Seel street
Three of Liverpool’s most popular (and busy) party streets, they’re bang in the centre of town and guarantee a good night out. Although, if you’re going to be clubbing on any of these streets, I’d recommend ditching the heels for something a little more comfortable (and compatible with cobblestone streets!). The streets run in parallel, so it’s easy to weave your way through the best clubs to have a good night out. My personal recommendations would be:
Fleet Street: Baa Bar
Best known for its weird and wondrous ‘shooter’ shots in all colours and sizes, they’re guaranteed to have you questioning what happened on your night out.
Wood Street: Ink Bar
A sleeker and more stylish club in Liverpool, it plays R&B and house music with its décor clad with chandeliers and modern art, and the grapevine tells me its VIP section is not to be missed.
Seel Street: Heebie Jeebies
Very popular with students and commonly termed ‘Heebies,’ it’s the holy grail for a good student night out in Liverpool. It often hosts DJ nights, live music and events, and it’s the pinnacle of nightlife culture in Liverpool.
A little walk from the centre of Liverpool, you can also reach the Baltic Triangle and the Ropewalks which both have a great nightlife scene, with bars and clubs guaranteed to show you what a good night out in Liverpool is all about.
Its two uniquely connected cathedrals
“If you want a Cathedral, we’ve got one to spare,” is enough to sum up Liverpool city’s cathedral status in a nutshell, according to an old Liverpool folk song. Aptly connected by a street called ‘Hope Street,’ both of Liverpool’s cathedrals are opposite one another and within each other’s sights. The Metropolitan Cathedral is architecturally similar to that of neo-gothic Anglican cathedrals. It has a treasury and crypt which are both accessible to the public, and to enter the crypt it will cost you £5 for a ticket.
In stark contrast, you have the Anglican Cathedral, which is the 5th largest cathedral in Europe. It’s one of Liverpool’s greatest architectural marvels, both inside and out, and is free for all to enter.
trust me when I say that there is something for everyone, and if you don’t believe me, here are 5 reasons why you should visit Liverpool.
And this is only the tip of the iceberg. There is so much that I love about Liverpool. It has a unique charm that I haven’t felt when visiting any other UK city, and it truly has so much to offer those who come to explore its many sights and sounds. On your next trip, don’t neglect this wonderful city as it’s not one you’ll want to miss. But if you’ve already been to Liverpool, what’s your favourite part of the city? Let us know in the comments below.
