Liverpool rises from the West Lancashire coastal plains where the Irish Sea meets the River Mersey. Whether it is the winds of travel, war, or trade, the fortune of this city has been tied to the ocean for more than 800 years. In the nineteenth century, Liverpool was England’s trading gateway to the world, helping to create an enormous wealth much of which was plowed back into the skyline of the city. In Liverpool, every spire, gable, and brick, is a proclamation of the city’s optimism and industry. Here are the top must-see attractions in Liverpool.
The Three Graces
This place was named after the Greek goddesses of creativity, beauty, and charm. The three buildings stand as a symbol of Liverpool’s eternal love of beauty and the city’s former trading might. The Museum of Liverpool gives you one of the best views of The Three Graces. The museum traces how sport, music, and maritime trade have shaped the city.
The Mersey Ferry
The iconic Mersey Ferry is a great way to explore this city’s waterfront; it is the riverboat that inspired the famous song. Take the River Explorer Cruise and hop off at different attractions along the way, including the U-Boat Story. It is a German submarine that was in 1993 raised by treasure hunters from the bottom of the North Sea. Today the U-Boat serves as a window into the machines and men which wreaked havoc on Allied shipping during World War II.
The Albert Docks
The Albert Docks is Liverpool’s former engine room and was once packed with goods such as tobacco, tea, and ivory. The docks are now the storehouses of many of the city’s cultural and historic treasures.
Merseyside Maritime Museum
At this museum, you will get to explore the city’s oceangoing past from the sailing ages to the Titanic stories of sacrifice and loss. Next door is the International Slavery Museum, and it is a reminder that Liverpool’s brick was mortared with sweat and blood of Africa.
The Beatles Story
Immerse yourself in the sounds and sights of the Fab Four by climbing aboard yet another submarine. The Beatles were more than Liverpool’s finest cultural export; they were the city’s gift to the world. Admire some memorabilia that has gained an almost sacred status, such as George Harrison’s first guitar and John Lennon’s spectacles.
10 Mathew Street
Continue your tour at this magical street. In the early 60s, The Beatles performed here a lot of times, and along with bands such as The Kinks, The Who, and the Rolling Stones, helped make this stage the musical universe center.
The Casbah Coffee Club
Take a trip to the leafy Liverpool suburbs to discover the birthplace of the Beatles. The Casbah Coffee Club is set in the basement of a suburban house and it ran for only three years before it was locked up for many years. Today you can tour this incredible place to see some murals painted by the band and hear from those who witnessed the Beatlemania explosion.
Both Everton and Liverpool have made this city the most successful footballing city in England. Liverpool may no more be Britain’s gateway to the world but it is still a voyage into the spectacular past and a bright future.