welcome... Liverpool. The very name conjures up images of a glorious maritime history, world-beating musical heritage, two of the Premiership’s biggest football teams and not one, but two majestically different Cathedrals. This inspiring city and the surrounding City Region is certainly all those things, but it is also so much more. Liverpool is undergoing a thrilling renaissance, jump-started by its hugely successful year in 2008 as European Capital of Culture. It is now bulging with fabulous new shops, buzzing new restaurants and group friendly hotels, as well as a world class cultural offering with more museums and galleries anywhere outside of London. Its inhabitants, of course, are famously friendly and will welcome you and your group to this UNESCO World Heritage City with pride.
Travelling to Liverpool really couldn’t be easier. The new Liverpool Coach Welcome Scheme and city centre parking ensures easy, hassle-free access for groups, whilst international visitors can fly direct into Liverpool John Lennon Airport from over 70 UK and European destinations. London is closer than ever with a comfortable, high speed service taking just over 2 hours. So bring your group to enjoy a fab visit at the Beatles Story, check out the very latest exhibition at Tate Liverpool, or snap up something gorgeous at the gleaming new Liverpool ONE in the heart of the city centre. This city bursts with energy, life, humour, and so much to do. Enjoy your visit – we know you will.
culture & heritage As a UNESCO World Heritage City, Liverpool oozes culture and heritage. The city has a glorious past as a mercantile hub and gateway to the New World, but today it is also a key destination for art lovers, fans of the theatre and museumgoers. Liverpool Waterfront is home to many of the city’s best loved museums and galleries, many of which can be found at the Albert Dock. This is the largest collection of Grade I listed buildings in Europe and home to Tate Liverpool, Merseyside Maritime Museum and The Yellow Boat Cruise around Liverpool’s docks, plus numerous bars, restaurants and quirky, independent shops. This area is also the stunning backdrop for the inaugural Liverpool Boat Show (April 29 – May 8) which has great group ticketing deals.
The internationally renowned architecture of Liverpool is nowhere more evident than the new Museum of Liverpool that sits imposingly alongside the Albert Dock. This landmark museum opens in Summer 2010 and is the world’s first national museum devoted to the history of a non-capital city. Further along Liverpool Waterfront is the Pier Head, location of the affectionately titled Three Graces – the magnificent Liver Building, Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building. From here your groups can take a trip on the iconic Mersey Ferries which offers the very best views of the waterfront vista. Groups can disembark from the Mersey Ferry at either Seacombe or Woodside terminals
on the Wirral Peninsula, the location their newest visitor attractions, Spaceport and UBoat Story. You should also take the opportunity to explore the idyllic Port Sunlight Museum and Garden Village, a mere 10 minute drive away. This charming 19th Century village was built by philanthropist William Hesketh Lever to house his soap factory workers at Lever Brothers, which eventually turned into global giant Unilever. Groups can learn more about Lever’s passion for art and architecture at the Port Sunlight Museum and Lady Lever Art Gallery.
Sports enthusiasts of all kind are spoilt for choice in Liverpool City Region with not one but two Premiership football teams, England’s Golf Coast, the finest stretch of championship golf in the world, Rugby League plus Haydock Park and Aintree Racecourses, home of the world famous John Smith’s Grand National. Liverpool Football Club has revamped its museum and stadium tours, with the opportunity to meet legendary past players in addition to the new dining experience at the Boot Room Sports Café.
culture & heritage portrait photographer E. Chambré Hardman complete with 1950’s darkroom, studio and living quarters. The Hope Street Quarter is the setting for the legendary Everyman Theatre, small but perfectly formed Unity Theatre and Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. You really shouldn’t miss a performance by the internationally renowned Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra with their charismatic Chief Conductor, Vasily Petrenko. Their eclectic programme has something for every music lover from Macca to Mozart, with great group ticketing options. To compliment the more traditional performance venues is the recently opened Echo Arena on Liverpool Waterfront. This modern 11,000 seat arena plays host to global superstars and big production tours.
Just outside the city centre is the National Trust property, Speke Hall. This is one of the finest examples of a Tudor timberframed manor house, set in beautifully managed Victorian gardens complete with Home Farm restaurant, gift shop and free coach parking. Mr Hardman’s Photographic Studio is another National Trust gem. This grand Georgian property is close to Liverpool Cathedral, and was once the home of renowned
And finally (and perhaps you thought we had forgotten to mention) but no visit to Liverpool is complete without The Beatles! The multi award winning Beatles Story, located at the Albert Dock, has recently expanded to include even more innovative and exciting ways to relive the Fab Four’s meteoric rise to fame. Your group just has to take a stroll down Mathew Street and enjoy a pint or two in the world famous Cavern Club, which offers live music seven days a week. Music fans will also enjoy the Magical Mystery Tour, visiting all of The Beatles’ landmarks including Strawberry Field and Penny Lane. Alternately use one of the city’s qualified Beatles Guides aboard your own coach and tailor a Beatles tour to your group needs and itinerary.
Liverpool’s Cultural Heritage 10:00 Beatles Story See how four young lads became the greatest band of all time. 11:30 Tate Liverpool Home of the National Collection of Modern Art in the North. 12:30 Liverpool ONE Shopping and lunch at the new retail and leisure complex in the heart of the city centre. 2:00 Mersey Ferries – River Explorer Cruise Learn about Liverpool’s fascinating history, see the spectacular waterfront and discover its unique character. 3:30 Liverpool Cathedral and Hope Street Quarter The country’s largest cathedral offers awesome views, stunning architecture and award-winning catering. For more itinerary inspiration visit: www.LiverpoolTravelTrade.com
eat,drink & sleep
Liverpool has every kind of eatery, from sleek fine dining to independent bistros and high street favourites, and it can tick just about every box in terms of international cuisine, ranging from top Indians to spicy Thais. Head to 60 Hope Street for classic, gourmet dishes and sample its signature dessert – a deep fried jam sandwich with Carnation milk ice cream. Groups are also well catered for at Jamie’s Italian in Liverpool ONE, the most recent edition to Jamie Oliver’s restaurant empire and the luxurious private dining room at Chaophraya which offers excellent value Thai banquets. Alternatively, take your group to The Maritime Dining Rooms at the top of the Merseyside Maritime Museum at the Albert Dock where its modern British menu is sourced locally and freshly prepared on the premises. For something a little more Oriental, head to Liverpool’s China Town, the oldest Chinese community in Europe, for a wide choice of authentic restaurants. Liverpudlians also enjoy a drink. You will find a huge variety of bars in the region, from intimate wine bars to hearty real ale pubs, with The Fly in the Loaf and Thomas Rigby’s offering over 100 cask conditioned ales between them! For groups who prefer a nice sit down and cup of tea then try one of the city centre Leaf Tea Shops with over 20 varieties of loose leaf tea or the award winning Roses Tea Rooms on the Wirral Peninsula, which has the most tempting selection of homemade cakes. There is so much for your group to enjoy in Liverpool that you really need a couple of days to explore the city. Recent additions include the independent base2stay in the heart of the buzzing RopeWalks area and ‘budgetique’ Heywood House in the Commercial District. Days Inn and Hotel Indigo, complete with a Marco Pierre White restaurant, are both opening in the city centre this year. Liverpool’s hotel scene also includes many of the key international brands including Hilton, Crowne Plaza, Radisson Blu, Holiday Inn, Marriott and Malmaison.
Group friendly favourites include Jurys Inn, Novotel, Atlantic Tower by Thistle and Britannia Adelphi.
two exclusive suites and is within easy walking distance of all major attractions.
For those who enjoy a little bit of luxury and something unique to the destination, then Liverpool won’t disappoint. Hope Street Hotel in the Hope Street Quarter was voted one of the world’s top 50 coolest hotels by travel bible Condé Nast Traveller. The hotel restaurant, The London Carriage Works, is also a popular choice with the city’s gastronomes and boasts Northwest food champion, Paul Askew, as Executive Chef.
Just outside Liverpool is Knowsley Hall, family residence of the Earl of Derby, and the only Visit England five star Gold stately home in the country. In addition to accommodation, the estate is also home to Knowsley Safari Park and The Spa at Knowsley Hall which includes a hydropool, and many specialist treatments from hot stone therapy to oxygen facials. Another fabulous spa can be found at Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa just outside the Classic Resort of Southport. This is also home to the first PGA National Residential Golf Academy, the challenging 72-par Old Course and 9-hole par three course.
Beatles fans will definitely want to stay in the Beatlesinspired Hard Days Night Hotel, close to Mathew Street. This four star hotel offers luxury and deluxe rooms and
coach welcome scheme & coach parking map Coach groups have never been more welcome in Liverpool. Visit Liverpool, Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Cathedral are working in partnership to further develop the Liverpool Coach Welcome Scheme, with plans to expand the service into other key areas of the city this year. Coach Groups who use this free service are able to enjoy the following: • Personal welcome to the City of Liverpool • Free city centre maps for passengers • Information on key things to do in the city • Optional visit to Liverpool Cathedral • Toilet and refreshment facilities Drivers are given useful information on where to park their coaches, drop-off and pick-up points, and advised of any road works or traffic diversions. Drivers also receive free refreshments at Liverpool Cathedral. The Welcome Scheme operates on request Monday to Saturday, March - October between 10.00am and 5.00pm. Coach groups wishing to use the scheme can call ahead, even on the day, to be assured that the host will be there as the coach arrives. To book the Liverpool Coach Welcome Scheme please call 0151 702 7284 or email jenny.moran@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk / www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk Groups travelling from London can now reach Liverpool in only 2 hours 8 minutes with Virgin Train’s comfortable high speed service aboard their state of the art Pendolino trains. Visit www.virgintrains.co.uk for more information on their group travel discounts. Over the past few years Liverpool John Lennon Airport has been one of Europe’s fastest growing regional airports, and statistics show that LJLA is now one of the UK’s top 10 busiest airports offering over 70 inbound routes from UK and Europe. In addition, global airline KLM now operates four flights daily between Liverpool John Lennon Airport and KLM’s main international hub in Schiphol, Amsterdam, connecting 650 worldwide destinations to Liverpool.
Liverpool Coach Park Map
Qualified Tour Guides Liverpool has a wide range of qualified, fully insured tour guides available for walking or coach tours. Our official Tourist Board guide booking agencies offer foreign language, special interest and Beatles tours with no additional booking fee. The Liverpool Tour Guide Service T: 07964 515681 / 07918 655113 www.theliverpooltourguideservice.co.uk Pool of Life Tours T: 07762 769 296 www.pooloflifetours.com