Liverpool

European City of Culture 2008

Liverpool's humble beginnings goes back almost 800 years ago. For many years Liverpool was the British Empire's second city. People and produce flowed constantly through the docks and with such activity came plenty of great civic buildings, museums, galleries, theatres and not one but two cathedrals. Liverpool is today one of Britain's principal cities; vibrant, fun and full of culture.

The city itself has a wide and diverse range of award-winning venues including major hotels, universities and countless Grade I and II listed buildings. City centre locations allow a quick and easy access to many of the other attractions and leisure venues that are establishing Liverpool as a 24-hour city.

Liverpool, the city at the heart of Merseyside, offers unique opportunity to conference and event organisers with a combination of excellent facilities becoming the hallmark of memorable and successful events - large or small

Take a wander through central Liverpool, stopping at the new Met Quarter, home to a host of designer stores including Armani, Gucci and Prada. Visit Cavern Walks for stylish boutiques including Bardot, Cricket and Vivienne Westwood, before heading over to the waterfront to the Albert Dock with its bars and boutique shops. Spend the night in style back in the city centre at Alma de Cuba or Korova.

Southport's wide boulevards have earned it the title "Paris of the North". But there's something else it shares with the French capital - an irresistible range of boutiques, high street names and continental markets. The obvious place to start is Lord Street, but Chapel Street, Eastbank Street, Tulketh Street, Wesley Street and King Street should all be on your list too!

With more museums and art galleries than any other city - outside of London - as well as being host to the acclaimed title 'European Capital of Culture' in 2008, Liverpool is a 'must see' destination for all culture vultures! You will find almost every form of retail therapy in Liverpool and elsewhere in the City Region. City Centre Liverpool boasts some of the largest big-name High Street stores in the country.

In a city with such a wealth of musical achievement, you would expect a dazzling, diverse and vibrant nightlife. And that's exactly what Liverpool offers.

Liverpool's port, the second city of the British Empire, provided the gateway to Britain, and a window to the rest of the world, culminating in the vibrant, diverse, international city Liverpool is today. Maritime heritage weaves a rich thread through the city today, from the Three Graces on the Waterfront to the Albert Dock, home of the Merseyside Maritime Museum.

A trip across the river on the world-famous Mersey Ferry offers the most dramatic views of the waterfront and Three Graces - the Liver Building, Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building. On the Wirral side of the river, you can find the stunning new Spaceport attraction at the Seacombe ferry terminal.

Fresh Air & Green Spaces
Whether it's the beautiful buildings or a taste of the outdoors that catches your interest, you won't be short of ideas. Take a break from the whirl of the city at Knowsley Safari Park, the new National Wildflower Centre, also in Knowsley, or the windswept drama of Wirral Country Park, with its breathtaking views over the River Dee to Welsh mountains beyond. Southport offers excellent shopping and a traditional Victorian promenade and beach to stroll along later. Or try a combination of the two at Croxteth Hall and Country Park, or the magnificent Speke Hall.

Shopping & Nightlife in Liverpool
Liverpool's shopping centre blends a mixture of well-known high street names and quirky independent boutiques. The city centre's newest shopping district, the Met Quarter, is home to MAC's only store outside London, plus a host of designer names including Armani, Prada, Gucci and Moulten Brown - not to mention the longest sculpture in Europe. Try Cavern Walks for Liverpool's stylish independent boutiques Cricket, Vivienne Westwood and Bardot.
If you can avoid shopping till you drop, a night on the town is not to be missed. Liverpool's reputation for unforgettable nightlife was built on the back of the Cavern, and later Cream. Today the converted Polish church Alma de Cubaprovides a stunning evening's entertainment, while the award-winning Chibuku Shake Shake has proved our latest international success.