- Liverpool
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United Kingdom
Underneath Edge Hill, a quiet district of Liverpool, lie the Williamson Tunnels. A retired tobacco merchant called Joseph Williamson paid to have them dug in the early 1800s, and nobody knows why. He might have been trying to create honest work for the unemployed, he might have been digging a bunker in which he could sit out Armageddon. Visitors can take a guided tour through a section of the vast complex – more tunnels are still being rediscovered.
www.williamsontunnels.co.uk
The Old Stable Yard, Smithdown Lane, Liverpool, L7 3EE
+44(0)151 709 6868
Google map: bit.ly/qePgeQ
A lovely little Mexican restaurant has just opened up at the bottom of my Nan's road. I took my girlfriend there last Friday and we had a great time. The atmosphere was really nice and relaxed and the food was absolutely brilliant, I never knew chilli con carne could be so sexy.
712 Borough Rd, Tranmere, CH42 9JE
+44(0)151 608 1185
sombreromexican.co.uk/
Google map: bit.ly/oF6oMn
An extremely entertaining and informative tour of Liverpool city centre and the Albert Dock afloat in a former D-Day landing craft. Liverpool friendliness and humour in abundance!
www.theyellowduckmarine.co.uk
32 Anchor Courtyard, Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AS
+44(0)1517087799
Our tour operator stopped in Liverpool and took us to this gem of supping-hole. A historic venue located on the docks of the city, it is perfect venue on a hot summer's day when you can sit outside and enjoy a drink.
The Colonnades, Liverpool, Merseyside L3 4AD
+44(0)151 709 2367
Google map: bit.ly/kagCON
It's quite an experience to have a view of the lovely city from the ferry immortalized in Gerry and the Pacemaker's hit from the 60s. It was a cold and extremely windy day in April. Probably not the best day for a boat ride but it was my last day in town and I decided I had to give it a try and I'm thankful I did that.
It was an amazing ride with a fantastic view of the city's landmarks: The Three Graces as well as other beautiful sights with possibility of stops at Seacombe and Woodside. You can really feel the timeless spirit of the city and its people who by the way make you feel welcome and at home there. One of the places with the nicest people in the world! Makes you feel like coming back soon!
You can buy tickets at the Liverpool Ferry Terminal, near Albert Dock, for about £ 7.00 (round trip). More details at www.merseyferries.co.uk/Content/Cruises/RiverExplorerCruises.aspx
Google map: bit.ly/lo6lp6
A tiny little cafe in the heart of Liverpool's studentville, Adam's Cafe will not be beaten on providing the ultimate Great British Breakfast for £3.50. Grilled not fried, two of everything, pot of fresh coffee or pot of fresh tea, fresh orange juice, spankingly clean. A traditional, little British breakfast cafe, which keeps it clean, simple, hearty and plentiful and amazing value. And somehow still manages not to be overrun. Definitely worth the 10 minute bus ride out of the city centre and the perfect New Year's morning solution - when venturing back into the centre of town is the last thing you'd want anyway.
210a Smithdown Rd, Liverpool L15 3
+44(0)151 735 0717
Google map: bit.ly/fI4MWp
Liverpool at Christmas is worth a visit by road or rail. Visit all the best shops in Liverpool One and Lord Street. At Christmas there is a large Continental Market full of foods from all over the world, an ice rink, excellent Christmas decorations and an Ice Castle with Father Christmas. Two Cathedrals have various Christmas programmes of music and services. Of course there are still the normal visitor attractions of the Albert Dock for eating and shops, The Liver Building neighbouring Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building on the Mersey River front with the new canal alongside, museums, art gallerys etc. There's the widest range of places to eat and drink in Liverpool so come and enjoy
Liverpool, Lime Street is largest rail station
Google map: bit.ly/fYVYtM
www.visitliverpool.com/
Now while there may not be anything at all unusual or quirky about a maritime museum, the Merseyside Maritime Museum in Liverpool is home to a rather peculiar and completely unique collection. ‘Seized! The Border and Customs Uncovered’ is a permanent gallery displaying the methods used to smuggle drugs, weapons and other contraband across our borders. They range from the slightly weird (drugs inside a garden gnome), to the highly ambitious (over a ton of cocaine concealed in drums of bitumen!). You can even try your hand at playing border patrol with an interactive console that lets you control your own Cutter, while the kids can go ‘rummaging’ through a ship to see if they can spot any signs of smuggling.
Merseyside Maritime Museum
Albert Dock
Liverpool
L3 4AQ
0151 478 4499
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/collections/seized/
The Walker is a really impressive gallery, with a collection that takes in a fantastic copy of Holbein's portrait of Henry VIII and other terrific pieces by Rembrandt, Millais, Rossett and Waterhouse, as well as slightly less impressive pieces by the likes of Degas and Monet. There's also a brilliant sculpture room and a really striking series of modern art in a side wing. Free entry and a beautiful building – though give the cafe a miss.
Bistro Franc, as the name alludes, is a French bistro located in Church House, Hanover street, right next to the new John Lewis. Their 'Lunch Rapide' for 7.95 is a real bargain and a great way to stay on budget if you have one. The dining room is very quaint and while it is usually very busy at lunch times this only adds to the atmosphere. The portions are generous and the food delicious.
1 Hanover Street
Liverpool L1 4, United Kingdom
0151 708 9993
www.bistrofranc.com
Google map: tinyurl.com/ychwqmp
Tate Liverpool is, like both Tates in London, a must-see! Housed in the historic Albert Docks the location itself is worth visiting. Also the artworks are exciting, and surprising!
www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/
Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4BB
0151 702 7400
Google map: tinyurl.com/ybvynjh
Fantastic soups, a salad bar, sandwiches, pastries, hot drinks and juices and hot daily special dishes. They also happen to be vegetarian - but don't make a big deal of it and put tasty food first.
Just walk for half a minute down Rumford Street (off Water Street) and for weekday mornings or lunchtimes you'll find Souperfood (previously called Soupernatural). Mainly take-away but also have a small number of seats.
The Bluecoat is the oldest Grade 1 listed building in Liverpool’s city centre (dating back to 1717). Following a £14.5m redevelopment, it re-opened in March 2008 as a major landmark on the UK map of contemporary culture.
With a new wing of galleries and a state-of-the-art Performance Space, the Bluecoat showcases talent across all creative disciplines including visual art, music, literature, dance and live art, and nurtures new talent by providing studio spaces for artists within a unique creative community.
School Lane, 0151 7025324 www.thebluecoat.org.uk(info@thebluecoat.org.uk)
The Perks:
It's free
Roads are closed in the city to make way for over six large outdoor stages dotted on and around the city centre roads.
My favourite tip - take your own beer.
There's all music, not just the Beatles. I was very excited about the Brit pop acts but some of us headed for northern soul dancing fun while my 'down south friends' enjoyed the Beatles/Merseybeat tours.
Watching a Brazilian Beatles cover band. Bands come from all over the world and their performances are superb.
Were you an original mod/rocker? The live bands could have been plucked right from the 1960's, they make the effort to dress the part and banter with the audience as though we're just hearing 'Do wah Diddy' or 'Needles and Pins' for the first time
If you're booked up for Creamfields the same weekend then you can carry on your festival fun on the Sunday as the Matthew Street festival is over Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday (and its only a 30min train ride away.)
If you're not into cover tribute bands then visit the fringe festival that runs at the same time and watch all new signed and unsigned bands
My Personal favourite bars can all be googled:
Korova; I enjoy the bands Hot Club de Paris and Elle S'apelle and they are playing here this year. Check their myspace.
Heebie Jeebies: Dance to Northern Soul all night.
JR's Bar and Grill: right by Central and Lime Street Station for excellent grill food with various heavy and light options. Plus they have live music.
The biggest live free African music festival in the UK, also including reggae and Latin music. Why not camp at Formby point which is on Merseyrail and you can take a direct train to St. Michaels to watch the festival both days
www.africaoye.com
Sefton Park, near St. Michaels train station, or numerous buses from the city centre
Stayed in one of the penthouses last week for the tall ships and I must say that there was no better place to view. Literally on the waterfront with huge balconies. Located above the Malmasion hotel.
Above the Malmaison hotel, Princes Dock, Liverpool, L3 1EJ. 0151 734 3675. Nearest Train Station - Moorfields.
An amazing bar and restaurant off Duke Street in Liverpool city centre, it's a former Victorian jail which makes for a very unusual setting to eat.
Despite its former use, the venue is incredibly stylish and cosy and you can still eat in the cells as well as in an elegant dining area upstairs where's there's also a champagne lounge. Food is fab and service is very good. Also very reasonably priced especially with the set meal on a weekday.
Campbell Square off Duke Street, Liverpool 0151 709 4195. Nearest train station is Liverpool Central. The restaurant can be walked to from the city centre along Hanover Street walking towards the Albert Dock. Perfect if you're going for a gig at the Arena!
Savina is a modern Mexican restaurant in Liverpool city centre. Visited here a couple of times over the last year and it's lovely. Visited again this weekend, was very busy and the service was still very good.
The staff are lovely and food is really nice. I had the Alambre De Pollo, a chicken kebab with some pepper jam type sauce on, it was fantastic and my friends also enjoyed their foods as well. Visit Alma De Cuba afterwards and you will have a memorable trip to Liverpool.
We have booked again for our summer trip to Liverpool. We have even booked again when we come and see Boyzone at the new arena. I would strongly recommend Savina.
138 Duke Street, Liverpool. Telephone 0151 708 9095 or visit www.savinarestaurant.co.uk
Best beach in the north-west. Make sure you check for a low tide or call the Wirral Ranger service.
Set out from the marina from West Kirkby towards Big Eye (a small island off the coast) - wellies or bare feet best, and then walk towards Little Eye. On arrival is a small beach that is almost always sheltered from the wind, with caves and beautiful sandstone rocks.
It is the ideal place for a picnic and little children can play here for hours - just remember to leave on time before the high tide arrives! Of course you can always saunter on to Hilbre and look at birds, seals and the lifeboat station. A great day out for the kids!
You can walk from West Kirkby Merseyrail station to the marina, where you will see the three islands out in the Dee estuary. Just make sure to walk to Big Eye first rather than towards Hilbre, thereby avoiding any deep water. The picnic can always be picked up at the supermarket next to the marina as well!
Serviced apartments in the city centre. Cheaper than a hotel most of the time and you can come and go as you please.
Located in the heart of the city centre, Premier Apartments are situated close to Moorfields and Lime Street Station. From the entrance of the Birkenhead Tunnel, turn left on to Dale St, and then bear right into Hatton Garden. Continue for 200 yards until you see reception's front office on the left-hand side directly opposite the Premier Court office block. 0151 227 9467.
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