As the birthplace of some of the ’60s best singers, Liverpool’s history, pop-music culture and unique maritime attractions make it a great place to visit. To top off the experience, stay at the world’s only Beatles-themed hotel.
Lennon Suite
Fly into Liverpool John Lennon Airport and you’ll begin to understand the pride that Liverpool has for its famous offspring. Its tagline “Above us only sky” borrows a line from Lennon’s famous song “Imagine” and can be seen throughout the airport. A 10-minute taxi ride along the River Mersey will bring you to Millennium Hotels and Resorts’ Hard Days Night Hotel Liverpool, a boutique 4-star hotel in a historic Grade II-listed building. While it might be packed with Beatles memorabilia to please music fans, it’s also centrally located for enjoying many other attractions that Liverpool is famous for.
Kick back at the Cavern Club
Right next door to the hotel is the world-famous Cavern Club, where music talent spotter/manager Brian Epstein first heard The Beatles play. Singer and TV presenter Cilla Black once worked there as a cloakroom attendant, and the unpretentious nightclub also hosted The Rolling Stones, Queen, The Hollies, The Yardbirds and many other up-and-coming stars. Try to spot the names of its famous guests on the Wall of Fame. Today it’s still a great place to enjoy live music and soak up the atmosphere of Liverpool’s living history.
Take the ferry ’cross the Mersey
The historic port city is located on the broad estuary of the River Mersey. Follow in the wake of Gerry and the Pacemakers, another famous Liverpool pop group who recorded the famous song “Ferry Cross the Mersey” for a film of the same name. The Mersey Ferry has been running a service from Liverpool Pier Head to Birkenhead on the Wirral Peninsula since the 12th century. A sightseeing cruise aboard one of its historic ferries is a great way to admire Liverpool’s skyline and iconic waterfront buildings. You can even cruise up the River Mersey and through the locks of the Manchester Ship Canal to Salford Quays.
Get acquainted with The Beatles story
Learn the whole story of The Beatles’ rise to international fame at The Beatles Story museum attraction. Take a drum lesson with Ringo Starr, listen to recordings and see the John Lennon Peace Monument. Celebrate 50 years of The Beatles music with audio guides, a Fab 4D theatre experience, interactive exhibits, photographs and memorabilia.
Tour John Lennon’s home and more
The only way to see inside the childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney is on a guided minibus tour with the National Trust. This combined tour first visits Mendips, a typical suburban semi-detached home in Liverpool where John Lennon was brought up by his Aunt Mimi. Next stop is a visit to the home of Paul McCartney at 20 Forthlin Road. See where these teenage friends wrote and rehearsed their early songs, perhaps dreaming that one day they just might make it to the big time. Operating daily, it is advisable to book a place online for this unique 2.5-hour tour.
Wave your Liverpool Football Club scarf at Anfield
As well as being a music hub, Liverpool is home to two famous football clubs: Liverpool FC and Everton. If you are unable to get tickets to see a thrilling Premier League football match at Anfield, you can still enjoy a Stadium Tour of the hallowed turf, Hall of Fame, stadium and interactive museum and see the club’s football kit and trophy collection. Finish your visit in the official store where you can pick up your very own red supporters’ scarf with the immortal words: “You’ll never walk alone.”
Connect with the Titanic at the Maritime Museum
Discover Liverpool’s close connection with the Titanic, see a moving display of the life, loss and legacy of the record-breaking RMS Lusitania and hear moving stories of lifeboat heroism at the Merseyside Maritime Museum.
Located on the restored Albert Dock waterfront, this splendid attraction celebrates Liverpool’s maritime history in a series of photographs and exhibits. Best of all, entry to this fascinating museum is free. If you need a break from all that history, you can always go dancing or dining at one of the fancy bars and restaurants that call Albert Dock home.
See Liverpool’s Three Graces
Royal Liver Building
Liverpool’s majestic waterfront and historic docks are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a pleasant place to stroll and admire the many commercial, civic and public buildings including the Three Graces, a trio of grand buildings on the Pier Head.
See if you can spot the Royal Liver Building, built for an insurance company and topped with two legendary liver birds that are said to guard the city. Nearby is the 1914 Cunard Building topped with flags, and the stately Port of Liverpool Building with its baroque dome and cupolas.
Join a Magical Mystery Tour
For a whirlwind Beatles experience, join the Magical Mystery Tour, which includes a two-hour trip down memory lane on a brightly coloured bus. See where John, Paul, George and Ringo grew up in the city and see places such as Penny Lane and Strawberry Field that inspired their early songs.
Of course, the tour is accompanied by music from the Fab Four and ends at the Cavern Club where you can enjoy live music and pick up a souvenir of your Liverpool visit.
Check out our other travel ideas for music lovers.
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