reputation for wit and an
obsessive love of football,
Liverpool also has an impressive
cultural heritage: it has more
listed museums than any other
city outside London, its galleries
are among the best in the
country, and it has recently
undergone an impressive
program of urban regeneration. And then there's the Beatles. Liverpool cherishes them not because
it's stuck in the past and hasn't gotten over the fact that they're long gone – it's because their
worldwide popularity would make it crazy not to do so.
89
The Structure of The City
Liverpool City
Centre - is the
commercial,
cultural, financial
and historical heart
of Liverpool,
England, and its
surrounding region.
Unlike many other
cities in the United
Kingdom, a ring
road doesn't
distinguish the city
centre from the remainder of Liverpool . Liverpool City Centre is the thriving heart of the city, with
famous name and independent shops in Liverpool One, Church Street, Bold Street and more. It is
also home to popular bars and nightclubs in Mathew Street or the Ropewalks, with the Three
Graces, Albert Dock and world-famous waterfront just a short walk away.
Toxteth - Toxteth is an inner city area of Liverpool, England. Historically in Lancashire, Toxteth is
located to the south of the city. The
district lies within the borders of the
ancient township of Toxteth
Park. Industry and commerce are
confined to the docks on its western
border and a few streets running off
Parliament Street. Toxteth is primarily
residential, with a mixture of
old terraced housing, post-World War
II social housing and a legacy of
large Victorian houses. Two of the
city's largest parks, Sefton
Park and Princes Park, are located in or around Toxteth.
90
Everton - Everton is a district
in Liverpool,
in Merseyside, England, and
a Liverpool City Council ward.
Everton is an inner city area
located just north of Liverpool city
centre, with Vauxhall to the west,
Kirkdale to the north
and Anfield to the north east. The
Liverpool entrance to
the Kingsway Tunnel is located near the boundaries of this area. Everton consists of mainly council
houses, generally more modern terraced homes and is statistically one of the most deprived areas
of the city. It is a hotspot for urban legends, meaning that there are many rumours of dubious
credibility throughout history of "monsters" terrorising the area.
Kensington - fondly known
as Kenny this community to
the east of Liverpool city
centre is home to Deane
Road Jewish Cemetery –
derelict for many years but
now restored thanks to a
Heritage Lottery grant. The
area boasts a number of
traditional Liverpool pubs.
Due to its close proximity to
the Knowledge Quarter of
Liverpool, Kensington has developed into a popular student quarter. The northwestern area of
Kensington features a series of streets named in honour of the Beatles, which opened during the
early 1980s, these include: John Lennon Drive, Paul McCartney Way, George Harrison Close, Ringo
Starr Drive, Epstein Court, Apple Court and Cavern Court. Kensington is home to Newsham Park, a
historic grade two listed park, in a conservation area.
91
The Prices of Accommodation
Liverpool City Centre
a) Hotels
1) Jurys Inn Liverpool - Situated in Kings Waterfront, next to the Albert Dock and directly
opposite the Echo Arena and ACC Liverpool, Jurys Inn Liverpool is also a 5-minute walk
into the city centre. The property also offers free Wi-Fi access. The bright, modern
bedrooms at Jurys Inn Liverpool feature crisp white linens, large flat-screen TVs and
spacious bathrooms with spa toiletries. There are large work space areas available, as
well as tea and coffee facilities. Breakfasts are served in the modern restaurant. The bar
serves lunch and snacks as well as coffee. The hotel has a 24-hour reception and also
provides services such as dry cleaning/laundry. Public parking is available close to the
hotel. Fee applies. Bookings from £137.
2) Cocoon @ International Inn - In Liverpool’s cultural quarter, Cocoon offers free Wi-Fi
and budget modern pod rooms, between the 2 cathedrals. Lime Street Railway Station is
a 10-minute walk away. Cocoon rooms are compact cabins, each one with a flat-screen
LCD TV, an iPod dock, tea/coffee and an en suite bathroom. Cafes, bars, restaurants and
the central shopping district are a 5-minute walk away. Cocoon @ International Inn has
an on-site internet cafe which provides breakfast. Bookings from £54.
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Toxteth
a) Hotels
1) The Pineapple - Around a kilometer from the centre of Liverpool, The Pineapple offers
clean, simple bedrooms and a Continental breakfast. There are plenty of bus stops
outside the building for good access to the city. The Pineapple has a bar. For food, there
are a variety of local restaurants less than a kilometer away. Bedrooms are located in
the main hotel building or within the annexe building, which is separate from the hotel.
All rooms feature a multi-channel TV, and come with a hairdryer. The 150-year-old inn is
also 1.6 km from The Beatles Museum, Echo Arena, Albert Dock, and the Liverpool One
shopping complex. There is free Wi-Fi access, and there are places to park for free in the
local area. Bookings from £45.
2) The Georgian Town House Hotel - Located just a 6-minute drive from Albert Dock in
central Liverpool, The Georgian Town House Hotel offers free WiFi access and free
parking. Less than 3.2 km from Echo Arena Liverpool and Tate Liverpool, Liverpool
Central Train Station is also 18 minutes' stroll away. Each room at the hotel includes a TV
and a small fridge with complimentary beverages. Featuring a shower, the private
bathroom also comes with a hairdryer. Extras include a desk, bed linen and ironing
facilities. At The Georgian Town House Hotel there is a 24-hour front desk and a garden.
Other facilities offered at the property include luggage storage. The hotel is 2.1 km from
the Cavern Quarter and the Playhouse Theatre. The World Museum, Central Library and
Walker Art Gallery are all just 27 minutes' walk away. Bookings from £103.
93
Everton
a) Hotels
1) Throstles Nest Hotel - This refurbished, 18th-century property is within 15 minutes' walk
or 4 minutes' drive of Liverpool city centre. It has free internet access and is a 15-minute
walk to Liverpool FC and Everton FC's football grounds. Each clean and cosy room at
Throstles Nest has tea and coffee making facilities, an iron and ironing board, hairdryer,
flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a DVD player. Full English breakfast is available
in the morning. Throstles Nest Pub is next door and has a pool table and widescreen TV,
plus a bar and lounge. Bookings from £58.
2) The Liner at Liverpool - Based on a classic cruise ship, The Liner offers nautical décor and
cabin-style rooms with marble bathrooms. Liverpool Lime Street Station is just 2
minutes’ walk away. With an LCD TV and free Wi-Fi, each modern cabin includes luxury
toiletries in the bathroom. Cabins also feature tea/coffee facilities, a hairdryer, and a
mini bar. The Liner is located in the heart of Liverpool’s centre, and provides free parking
for guests. The O2 Academy is just a 2-minute walk, while St John’s Shopping Centre is 5
minutes’ walk away. Bookings from £108.
94
Kensington
a) Hotels
1) Beech Mount Hotel - This Grade II Listed Victorian property offers free Wi-Fi and free
secure parking. Liverpool city centre and Lime Street Rail Station are a 10-minute drive
away. Beech Mount Executive Accommodation has a lounge with satellite TV and
original period features. Each stylish en suite room at Beech Mount comes equipped
with a TV. Guests can also make use of ironing facilities and tea and coffee-making
facilities. Nearby attractions include Albert Dock and Liverpool Football Club. The M62
motorway can be reached in 10 minutes’ drive. Bookings from £61.
2) The Devonshire House Hotel - Set within landscaped gardens in quiet surroundings,
Devonshire House Hotel is an elegant Georgian building with free WiFi and 300 spaces of
free parking. Liverpool city centre and the M62 motorway are just over 3.2 km away.
Each spacious en suite room features a flat-screen Freeview TV and facilities for making
tea and coffee. The hotel’s Four Seasons Restaurant serves a bistro menu and offers
outdoor dining in the gardens, during the warmer months. There is also a lounge bar for
guests to enjoy drinks in relaxed surroundings. Lime Street Rail Station is less than a 7-
minute drive away and buses to the city centre stop outside the hotel. The famous
Albert Dock can be reached in less than 10 minutes by car. Bookings from £72.
95
Places to Visit
The Beatles Story Museum -
Liverpool is famous as the
birthplace of The Beatles.
Various tours offer fans the
opportunity to follow in their
footsteps (Penny
Lane, Strawberry Fields),
including The Beatles Story in
Albert Dock and the
rebuilt Cavern Club, where they made their debut in 1961. Other Beatles related sights include the
Cavern Walks (murals by Cynthia Lennon), The Beatles Shop, and 20 Forthlin Road, McCartney's
former home and where the band wrote and rehearsed many of their early songs. The property is
open to the public and features Beatles memorabilia and photos.
Albert Dock - The
superbly restored Albert
Dock, the first in Britain
to be built using only
bricks and iron, is an
impressive five-story high
block surrounding the
harbor basin where
cotton, tobacco and
sugar were once
unloaded. The enormous Victorian buildings are built around an arcaded walkway, its cast Tuscan
columns once serving as capstans for moored ships. The decoratively restored warehouses with
their luxury apartments, designer boutiques, offices, restaurants, cafés and museums are a prime
example of "gentrification". Albert Dock is also home to a number of first-rate tourist attractions
including The Beatles Story Museum with its memorabilia, photographs and films of the Fab Four;
the International Slavery Museum located just yards from the dry docks where 18th century slave
ships were repaired and fitted out; and the Border Force National Museum which tells the story of
smuggling and contraband from the 1700s to the present day.
96
Museum of Liverpool - The
Museum of Liverpool is the world’s
first national museum devoted to
the history of a regional city and
the largest newly-built national
museum in Britain for more than a
century. Hop on board the
overhead railway, get up close to
the stage where John Lennon and
Paul McCartney first met, immerse
yourself in the city’s rich sporting and creative history and experience for yourself what it means to
be Liverpudlian (citizen of Liverpool). Don’t miss the 360º immersive films about Liverpool and
Everton FC and The Beatles! Exhibits showcase popular culture and tackle social, historical and
contemporary issues in an accessible, engaging manner. More than 6,000 objects bring Liverpool’s
incredible heritage to life, celebrating thousands of years of the city’s achievements. The café on
the ground floor serves delicious traditional British food with a contemporary twist. Here, you can
relax and enjoy excellent views of the canal and Albert Dock.
Cathedrals - The Catholic Liverpool
Metropolitan Cathedral reflects the
high proportion of Liverpudlians
(citizens of Liverpool) of Irish origin
living in the city. During the Irish
emigrations of the 19th and 20th
centuries, Liverpool was the principal
port of embarkation for the US, and
many emigrants ended up settling in
the city. Building began in 1928,
although it wasn't actually completed until 1967. Around its cylindrical tower is a huge "tent" 200 ft
in diameter, rising sharply to a funnel-shaped drum 270 ft high, the whole structure looking like a
huge lantern rising above the city.
The Anglican Liverpool Cathedral on St James's Mount was consecrated in 1978, although services
were held there in the 1920s. Built of red sandstone with a copper roof, its 330 ft high tower
contains a carillon with 2,500 bells. The largest weighs four tons. A 9,704-pipe Willis organ is one of
the largest in the world.
97
Tate Liverpool - Tate Liverpool is the
home of the National Collection of
Modern Art in the north. Located on
the Albert Dock within easy walking
distance from the City centre, Tate
Liverpool is one of the most visited
galleries outside of London. The
gallery stages a changing programme
of special exhibitions throughout the
year, which bring together artworks
from all over the world. In recent years artists featured in Tate Liverpool’s special exhibitions have
included Gustav Klimt, Pablo Picasso, René Magritte and Claude Monet. The gallery also offers large
displays of work from the National Collection free of charge. The Collection features the work of
artists including Henri Matisse, Marcel Duchamp, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore and Paul
Cézanne, making Tate Liverpool the ideal place to visit your favourite artwork or discover
something new. If you’re looking for a souvenir or a special gift, call in to the Tate Shop for a wide
range of postcards, prints and books. However you choose to experience the gallery, Tate Liverpool
is the perfect place to relax, be inspired and have fun.
Liverpool Football Club - A visit
to Liverpool Football Club's
ground Anfield stadium, is truly
a memorable experience for
all! From the ardent red and
even those who are non
football followers a visit to LFC
is a must when visiting to the
region. Due to the exciting
developments that are taking
place to expand the Main
Stand, LFC fans can now enjoy the Stadium Viewing Tour. As part of your visit, you'll also experience
The Liverpool FC Story, the Club's interactive museum. Here, you'll explore football through
amazing exhibitions such as the Halls of Fame, a dedication to LFC heroes, past and present, and
see the silverware, including all five European Trophies, won by LFC during its impressive career.
98
Public Transport
Liverpool has got a fairly
comprehensive public transport
system. The easiest way to get
around is by the excellent
Merseyrail system which links most
suburban areas to the city centre.
The city centre has got 4
underground stations that are
located in the main shopping and
business areas, but it is a very compact centre and is often easier to walk places. Buses are frequent
across the whole city and amongst the cheapest in the country. Merseytravel offices at the two
main bus stations (Queen Square and Liverpool One) will give you information and
timetables. Merseytravel also have a journey planner phone app.
A cheaper and more
convenient way to get
around is to buy a Saveaway
ticket which gives you 1 days
unlimited journeys (after
09:30 Monday >Friday) on
any train or bus in Liverpool,
Wirral or wider Merseyside
area (depending on which
zone your ticket covers) and
are available from
newsagents, rail stations and
bus stations. The All Zone Saveaway can be used on Merseyrail services all the way to Southport,
Ormskirk or Chester and can also be used to catch the Mersey Ferry as long as you break your
journey and don't go on the full River Cruise.
The quickest way to get to the other side of the river is by Merseyrail but for outstanding views of
the river catch one of the famous Mersey Ferries from the Pier Head, departures are on the hour.
The weekly adult pass for all means of travel costs about £17.
99
Bristol
If ever there was a
British city on the rise,
it's Bristol. Once a
centre for heavy
industry, over the last
few decades the
southwest's largest
city has reinvented
itself as a hub of
culture and creativity.
From Clifton's iconic
suspension bridge to Brunel's groundbreaking steamship, the SS Great Britain, it's a city that's
awash with historical interest. But Bristol is also known for its offbeat, alternative character, and
you'll find a wealth of art collectives, community-run cafes and music venues dotted around the
city's streets – not to mention murals left behind by the city's most notorious son, the mischievous
street artist Banksy.
Throw in the revamped
harbourside, the
landmark new M-Shed
history museum and a
fast-growing foodie
reputation, and it's little
wonder that Bristol was
recently named Britain's
most liveable city. Gert
lush, as they might say
round these parts.
100
The Structure of The City
Bristol City Centre ?