|
|
|
|
|
Liverpool is a city in Merseyside, England, within the historic county boundaries of Lancashire, famed for its football teams, the Grand National horse race, music (including The Beatles), vibrant nightlife and its links with the arts and culture. Historically the city served as one of the leading ports linking Europe to the Americas, expanding to become England's second most populated city by the census of 1861, before slowly declining after 1921 as levels of transatlantic shipping dropped. Before airline travel, many Europeans migrating to the New World passed through the city, particularly the Italians and Irish; to this day the city enjoys a large Irish community, with impressive cathedrals for both Anglican and Roman Catholic faiths. In the 18th and early 19th century, the port also acted as a gateway for the slave trade, with echoes of this period still evident in places around the city (Penny... Read more
Liverpool is a city in Merseyside, England, within the historic county boundaries of Lancashire, famed for its football teams, the Grand National horse race, music (including The Beatles), vibrant nightlife and its links with the arts and culture. Historically the city served as one of the leading ports linking Europe to the Americas, expanding to become England's second most populated city by the census of 1861, before slowly declining after 1921 as levels of transatlantic shipping dropped. Before airline travel, many Europeans migrating to the New World passed through the city, particularly the Italians and Irish; to this day the city enjoys a large Irish community, with impressive cathedrals for both Anglican and Roman Catholic faiths. In the 18th and early 19th century, the port also acted as a gateway for the slave trade, with echoes of this period still evident in places around the city (Penny Lane is named after a slave ship owner, for example). Recent years have seen a comprehensive regeneration of the city centre, creating an influx of new shops, boutiques, and large performance/conference arenas near the waterfront; this has resulted in an upturn in population figures. The regenerated city now plays regular host to the national and international conference, media and music events; examples include major political party conferences, the BBC Worldwide Showcase, the MTV Europe Awards, and the Global Entrepreneurship Congress.
All this means that Liverpool is chiefly a 19th century city with tall buildings, which can be somewhat intimidating at times. "Cosy" is probably not an attribute you would use for it, and the Mersey waterfront is, perhaps disappointingly, nowhere a place you sit down to have a coffee (except in the Albert Docks, but these do not face the Mersey).
Liverpool is a city with great cultural heritage and was awarded the title of European Capital of Culture 2008, with the famous Pier Head Waterfront being a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004. Liverpool is home to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and is also renowned for nurturing the talents of a wide range of musicians and band such as The Beatles, Gerry, and the Pacemakers, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Echo and the Bunnymen, Elvis Costello and many more. The city possesses the largest national museum collection outside of London and has a fascinating and turbulent history as a great world maritime centre. Liverpool is home to Europe's oldest Chinatown. The famous Grand National Horse Race takes place in the outskirts of the city (Aintree). It is also home to two very successful Premier League football clubs, Liverpool and Everton.
Liverpool City Centre is small enough to walk around, but black cabs are plentiful if you are feeling lazy.
Buses run out from the centre regularly from Liverpool ONE Bus Station (mainly to the south) and Queen Square (mainly north/east). Both bus stations have travel centres with staff who will assist with which bus to get and from where. These travel centres also stock free transport guides and detailed timetable leaflets for each bus and train service. Highly recommended are the free 'map and guide' leaflets of the four main transport areas: Liverpool, Wirral, Southport and St. Helens; these giant fold-out street maps show at a glance the route of every bus service (individual service leaflets are required for timetable information).
In terms of pre-paid travel passes, Saveaway, Solo and Trio travel passes can be purchased from travel centres or Merseyrail stations. Liverpool and its surrounding areas are divided up into areas, each sub-divided into zones: the cost of each ticket typically depends upon how many zones/areas the purchaser wants to travel in. If a journey takes the ticket holder outside the boundary allowed by their ticket, they can typically purchase a regular ticket on the bus or train to cover just the extra required.
The main 'metro style' train stations in the city centre are Central, Lime Street, Moorfields and James Street. Lime Street is the terminus for many national lines and the local city line to Manchester. Moorfields is just off Dale Street, ideal for the business centre of Liverpool and Central is usually used by shoppers and visitors. Local trains run very frequently between Hunts Cross, Kirkby, Ormskirk and Southport on the Northern line. They run every 15 minutes from Monday to Saturday and 30 minutes on Sunday. Central station is the main station for the Northern line, although the 'loop' links the three main city centre stations. The Wirral line forms the link between the Lime Street, Moorfields and Central, so all of these stations act as an interchange between the City, Northern and Wirral lines.
A new station in the south of Liverpool replaced the old Garston and Allerton stations in June 2006. This links the Northern and City lines and is ideal for the airport. It also acts as an interchange for a number of local buses.
Some buses are subsidized by Merseytravel, such as early morning and hospital services. This includes the City Centre Circular buses C1 to C5.
If you plan to travel a lot, a prepaid pass presents a much better value. Generally speaking, you save money with two or more train trips or three or more bus journeys.
There exists a useful cycle map of Liverpool called 'Liverpool Cycle Map' apparently jointly issued by Merseytravel, the Liverpool City Council, and Travelwise Merseyside. It is free and can be ordered at 0151 330 1253.
You might be lucky to be given one at a store, such as GIANT.
It's the largest public bicycle hire scheme in the country outside London and there will soon be a total of 1,000 bikes available to hire spread across 160 locations. You need to register if you want to participate (available by internet or phone call). If you want to hire a bike for a longer time at a stretch, Citybike may not be too convenient.
For those in a hurry there are a number of operators offering guided tours, either using their own transportation or offering their services as "hop-on, hop-off Guides" on your coach or offering guided walks. The best way of getting an overview of the city is by taking the City Explorer open-top bus 1 run by Maghull Coaches. With 12 stops you can hop on and off all day. Qualified local guides provide the commentary and can answer your questions about the city. For Beatles fans, there is the Magical Mystery Tour which will take you around the places associated with the Beatles both in the city centre and in the suburbs. For a more tailored tour, there's Liverpool Entente Cordiale Tours. Their Liverpool tour guides can plan a walk for you or hop on your coach and guide you around the city. They offer tours in English or French.
There are various pubs serving food across the city centre and its suburbs. The two main areas are the City Centre and Lark Lane about three miles from the city centre in Aigburth. There are various restaurants on Allerton Road (near Liverpool South Parkway) as well.
City Centre
The upper part of Bold St (where it is not pedestrianized) has a number of independent dealers. There are also many nice cafes and restaurants in between.
Scousers are mainly gregarious and friendly people, but there are still many who seek to take advantage. You will find, however, that Mancunians and Scousers get along much better than the stereotype suggests and you will very often come across each in each other's city. Be particularly aware of people who approach you in the street with stories of having lost their train fare home. These are typically begging techniques.
Stay on the beaten track at night and stick to the many themed pub and bars and avoid some of the larger dance clubs as these are more suited to streetwise locals or people who understand Liverpool culture well, although to be fair, most Scousers will welcome anyone to their city, and especially their clubs! Be prepared to wait for a taxi at night and don't be tempted to walk back to your hotel unless you are close by. Although Liverpool is a quite friendly place, a slightly sinister side appears after hours.
Some of the City's districts should be avoided by non-locals. Areas such as Croxteth, Dovecot, Everton, Huyton, Kensington, Kirkdale, Norris Green, Page Moss, Stockbridge Village and Toxteth are seeing some serious issues with gang related violence including increases in gun and knife crime and several murders have been recorded.
Around the city centre, be aware there are many homeless people, especially around William Brown Street near the museums. Unlike, in, say, the United States of America or other parts of the United Kingdom, these are less likely to pose a threat to you, and although they may beg for money, they tend to be friendly and often want to talk about their backstories openly with you. Give them money, but at your own risk, as long as it's small change.
Also, older women may (and often do) flirt with younger men, but accept this part of the Liverpool cultural milieu. This also applies to the homelessness situation mentioned above, which much the same situation tends to happen. This should not be confused with prostitution (mentioned below). It is explicitly not solicitation and is just flirting.
Although prostitution is legal in the UK, solicitation is illegal and it is a fact of life in most cities, Liverpool being no exception. The "Red Light" areas are as follows: around Netherfield Road North and the Shiel Road area of Kensington. Although quiet during the day, there is a lot of business at night and particularly on weekends. Women walking by themselves have been known to be approached by men looking for prostitutes and people in vehicles have been known to be approached by prostitutes looking for business.
Avoid Manchester United shirts, which worn in the wrong place makes you an easy target for abuse or worse even assault, especially on match day.
A friendly manner, a polite smile, and a sense of humor go a long way in this city, but a sensible approach to traveling is, as always, advisable.
Note that the 1989 Hillsborough Stadium Disaster, when nearly 100 Liverpool fans were killed, is still a very sensitive subject. Openly carrying or reading The Sun newspaper is also cautioned against due to its offensive coverage blaming Liverpool fans for the deaths at the time.
Be aware that the streetlighting (Urbis Evolo 2) is brighter than you might expect, and drive more cautiously. These streetlights are common across the city centre and in Kensington. Drive much more cautiously if you see them. These are less common outside of Liverpool. Americans may be used to bright lights, but Evolos are really bright.
LOCAL TIME
9:19 pm
May 27, 2022
|
|
LOCAL CURRENCY
GBP
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
![]() |
I was going to run with the Olympic torch on Tuesday, and on Monday, Samsung organized a trip to Liverpool and a walk through the city of Chester for us. I am a real fan of The Beatles - I have every single on of their albums in my phone, yet I have never been to Liverpool. We looked at... |