With a cornucopia of unique attractions, music heritage and history – Liverpool has something to offer all groups
Liverpool is practically bursting at the seams with attractions and sights, so that no matter how long you spend there, you will still want to return – either because you didn’t manage to squeeze it all in to your itinerary, or because you simply want to do it all over again. You won’t have a problem finding things to do and where to go – the problem is, where do you start?
The city has more museums and galleries than any other UK city outside of the capital, most of which are free; two UNESCO accreditations – a world heritage site and City of Music, which is showcased in the city’s array of sights dedicated to the music industry; and many attractions dedicated to The Beatles. So much to fill your groups’ days with fun for hours.
As well as the great attractions and experience in the city, Liverpool is a great place to be based as part of a tour of the north west, with Wales, Cumbria and Chester all within 90 minutes’ drive, and the seaside towns of Southport and New Brighton on the doorstep.
We visited the city for two days and experienced just a sample of what Liverpool has to offer.
To the Tate
Our first point of call was Tate Liverpool, a museum that gives visitors the opportunity to see some of the best British and international modern art in the north of England.
In a prime location on the Albert Dock, the Tate has a large display of art and special exhibitions, and with four floors to explore, there’s plenty to see here.
The museum is free to enter; however, the latest exhibition, Portraying a Nation: Germany 1919-1933, has an £11pp group rate (£8.50pp for over-60s).
‘Portraying a Nation’ is a chance for visitors to see the lives of people, from the elderly to children, in Germany’s interwar years, captured through a collection of shocking photography and paintings by painter Otto Dix and photographer August Sander.
The first part of the exhibition is a collection of black and white photography displayed in a single line which spans across multiple rooms. Surrounding the pictures is a hand-written timeline of events that happened in Germany over the years.
Progressing through to the second part of the exhibition is the work of Dix, whose paintings in contrast are much brighter in colour, but still carry a dark background – with features including dramatic paintings of body parts and evil-like creatures looming in the shadows.
Another special exhibition currently on display is Aleksandra Mir: Space Tapestry. This is Mir’s newest work which was inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry and the artists who depicted Halley’s Comet in 1066.
The display is a large-scale hand-drawn monochrome wall hanging which is designed to tell the visual story of space travel with an immersive environment.
Both exhibitions will be on display until 15 October.
The Tate offers more for visitors to see. Our favourites were Andy Warhol’s Self-Portrait; Tracey Emin’s My Bed; Michelangelo Pistoletto’s Venus of the Rags and Mark Rothko’s Untitled. This was just a selection of pieces out of a vast amount to see.
Life of the Fab Four
We next moved on to The Beatles Story, the world's largest permanent exhibition that is simply dedicated to lives of The Beatles.
Again located at the Albert Dock, groups are able to walk through the attraction and take in all the many details which have gone into creating it, from a trip down a replicated Abbey Road, to exploring a replica of the Cavern Club and a little walk through a yellow submarine. The Beatles Story has everything to transport you on a journey through the Fab Four’s lives.
At the beginning, you are given an audio guide which reveals more information about what you see as you walk through. A beautiful touch to the museum is that it is in fact John Lennon's sister Julia who narrates it.
There are no time restraints at this attraction which is ideal as there is so much to see, from letters and records, to larger forms of memorabilia like instruments – there’s something amazing to look at around every corner.
To celebrate 50 years since Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album was recorded, the latest exhibition to be displayed in The Beatles Story showcases memorabilia surrounding it.
It features an alternative print of the album cover which is one of only 100, and a full set of authentic Sgt. Pepper’s suits – the only authentic set of the suits available to the public as the originals were kept by the individual estates.
This attraction really is very well presented and truly encapsulates one of Britain’s biggest bands, and there is something very special about its location in the city which brought the music alive.
Tickets for The Beatles Story includes entry into the second exhibition located at the Pier Head. The Beatles Story, along with The GRAMMY Museum, are running a special exhibition: The British Invasion: How 1960s beat groups conquered America.
If your groups are in need of a little re-fuel, the Fab4 Café located at both sites is perfect to grab a bite to eat and drink after visiting the attractions.
Tickets are £11.50pp for groups of 10 or more.
The best of British
New to Liverpool for 2017 is the British Music Experience, an immersive museum that tells the story of British music through its display of costumes, instruments and memorabilia.
Located in Cunard Building, it is in a prime location sitting pretty at the Pier Head and with its two neighbouring buildings – the Liver Building and Port of Liverpool Building – making up Liverpool's Three Graces.
A part of Liverpool's UNESCO World Heritage waterfront, the Grade II listed building provides the perfect surrounding and backdrop to display the iconic history of British music.
Inside, the creation of the British Music Experience has factored in key aspects of the building’s interior. The marble detailing and tall pillars are still visible, and rather than covering up areas, the attraction has embraced and used them to create this experience.
The tall windows are used to showcase images of the artists featured inside, from Freddie Mercury, Cilla Black, Adele, Amy Winehouse and more.
Covering 20,000sq ft, the space is sectioned into zones and quite literally takes visitors on a journey from the beginning up to now, with its clever layout of zones displayed as a timeline.
Zone 1: 1945-1962
The start of something beautiful – this section will transport visitors right back to the beginning. See first-hand how British music began to thrive, and how jazz blossomed
Zone 2: 1962-1966
In a Jumpin’ Jack Flash, it’s now ‘the British Invasion’, led by The Beatles along with The Animals and Rolling Stones. This zone is the journey of the best of British
Zone 3: 1966-1970
Pop culture began to really experiment with new ideas. Zone 3 shows how the Summer of Love shined bright
Zone 4: 1970-1975
Time of the glam this was, and where cultural stereotypes were challenged. A Rebel Rebel in this field was David Bowie. Zone 4 saw the birth of the Children of the Revolution
Zone 5: 1975-1985
This belongs to the punks. This zone seems far from Pretty Vacant when it comes to important artefacts of this era
Zone 6: 1985-1993
The nation came together for Live Aid, and the British metal scene lead a fierce (Iron) Maiden voyage into the charts
Zone 7: 1993-2004
This era spiced up your life and pop caused ‘60s hysteria once again. Viva Forever in this zone
Zone 8: 2004-Present
The era that saw X Factor burst on to our screens and the public choosing the next pop sensation. Does zone 8 win? You decide.
As you travel through the different decades of the music industry, songs relevant to your time-zone play. There is a real sense of surrealism in the attraction as you look at memorabilia belonging to a musician that you’re currently singing along to.
See incredible music memorabilia from hand-written lyrics to ‘I Want to Break Free’, David Bowie’s outfits, Dusty Springfield’s dresses and Brian May’s guitar – there’s so much to see and do.
This experience is fully interactive – not only do visitors get to see iconic items that have shaped British music, but they can get involved with Gibson Brands Interactive Studio.
This is a designated area with a collection of guitars, keyboards and drums for visitors to try their hands at, as well as a recording studio and a dance booth called Dance the Decades, where visitors can boogie to 12 iconic dance styles.
Those who enter the dance studio are given a lesson on an iconic dance. We opted for a ‘90s classic and learned the Macarena. To top it all off, there is a handy station to put your phone to record your moves.
If you venture in to the recording studio, you can select a song, sing it loud and proud and then email it to your friends and family.
With this self-guided experience groups are free to wander around and try all of the elements available in this interactive zone. Audio guides are available to those who book in advance, and as the staff were all auditioned for their positions, they are extremely helpful with any questions you may have.
Other areas to explore are the displays which showcase the evolution of music devices, from the record player to the iPod, and the interactive points in each zone which reveal general information about that era, as well as a little surprise on the main stage every 20 minutes.
The experience doesn’t end there. Groups can continue their music journey over a drink in the British Music Experience's Star Café.
Group rates are available for 15 or more, and a coach drop off point and parking is available for all pre-booked groups.
Views up top
Our final stop in Liverpool was the Anglican Cathedral. At 152m (500ft) above sea level it is the UK’s largest cathedral, and the only open air 360Ëš rooftop view of Liverpool and beyond.
As well as seeing the interior of the cathedral, groups are able to experience breathtaking views on the Tower Experience.
Embark on a little adventure, with two lifts and 108 steps to reach the top of the cathedral. While up there, spot all of Liverpool’s great landmarks and on a good clear day you will see Blackpool Tower.
The Tower Experience includes:
· Great Space Film
In this 10-minute film, Stonemason John shows you how the cathedral was built and view a fly through of the Great Space
· Bell Chamber
Not only will you see the UK’s largest cathedral, but you will also see the world’s highest and heaviest peal of bells
· Bell Nights
Experience what it is like to be a bell ringer with the bells simulator and see the bells up close
· Elizabeth Hoare Embroidery Gallery
A collection of Victorian and Edwardian ecclesiastical embroidery with great views of the cathedral interior.
Tickets are £5.50pp and includes a film and audio tour and access to the tower.
