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Renowned the world over as the birthplace of The Beatles, Liverpool is one of our favorite cities in the north of England. Aside from it’s significance on the music scene, Liverpool has a fascinating maritime history and is home to two top league football (soccer) teams.
Over the last couple of decades, millions of pounds have been spent regenerating and redeveloping the city, making Liverpool one of the most sought-after city-break destinations in the UK. With hotels to suit all budgets, an eclectic culinary scene and vibrant nightlife, a weekend away in Liverpool really should be on your England bucket list.
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Getting to Liverpool
By air
Liverpool John Lennon Airport is around seven miles south of the city center, with excellent bus links. Taxis and rideshare apps are readily available as well. Liverpool enjoys daily flights from destinations across Europe.
If you’re flying from further afield, the best option is to fly into Manchester Airport, which handles flights from North America, Asia and the Middle East. There are regular train services from Manchester Airport to Liverpool, as well as National Express coach services which run right through the night.
By train
Liverpool is well connected by rail. If you’re arriving from elsewhere in England, rail will usually be the easiest way to travel. There are three trains per hour from London Euston, taking roughly two and a half hours. Avanti West Coast and London North Eastern Railway both operate on this route, with Avanti’s trains being quicker and generally more comfortable.
If you’re arriving from Manchester, there are trains every ten minutes during the day, with a journey time of around an hour. From Scotland and elsewhere in the north of England, you’ll normally change trains in Manchester.
For the best fares, it’s always a good idea to book in advance as tickets can cost far more on the day.
By coach
National Express, Megabus and Flixbus all serve Liverpool, with several daily services from London, Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester. The journey time from London is around six hours. For the cheapest prices, I recommend that you compare options and book online.
Where to stay in Liverpool
If you’re heading for a Beatles weekend away in Liverpool, there should be only one hotel on your radar. Hard Days Night is not only a nod to the The Fab Four’s 1964 hit, but the world’s only Beatles-inspired hotel. Housed in a grand building which dates back to 1884, the hotel features Beatles-themed artwork and the bar even has stools reserved for John, Paul, Ringo and George.
There’s plenty of other great boutique hotels in Liverpool, too. The Resident is a quirky, modern spot offering comfort and touches of luxury in a fantastic location for exploring the city’s top sights. Titanic Hotel, a homage to Liverpool’s seafaring history, is right on Albert Dock. It’s the ideal place to stay if you want views of the River Mersey.
For a more wallet-friendly option, without compromising on location, check out Tune Hotel. Just around the corner from the Beatles Museum and the iconic Cavern Club, Tune is ideal if you’re looking for a clean and comfortable base without the frills.
Best food in Liverpool
England may not have the best reputation for food, but the days of jellied eels and pie & mash are confined to the history books. With cuisines from all across the world represented, Liverpool is quickly emerging as one of England’s most surprising culinary hotspots.
Breakfast
Maggie Mays
A classic British café, Maggie Mays serves hearty, unpretentious food for late breakfasts and lunch. If you haven’t tried a Full English yet, this is the place to do it.
Moose Coffee
If you prefer a lighter start to the day, Moose Coffee serves delicious French Toast, eggs any way imaginable and has a fantastic vegan selection. Better still, their breakfast is served all day.
The Brunch & Cocktail Club
Another new kid on the block, the Brunch & Cocktail Club is already a hit among locals and visitors alike. With all-day brunch options including steak and eggs, benedicts and pancakes, their innovative menu adds a new meaning to breakfast. On Saturday afternoons, they offer a bottomless brunch with unlimited cocktails to accompany it. Who said a weekend away in Liverpool was about sightseeing?
Lunch & Dinner
Hanover Street Social
Right in the city center, this modern brasserie serves up simple classics in welcoming surroundings. Highlights include fresh seafood, succulent steaks and warming pies, with extensive gluten- and dairy-free menus available. Their Sunday lunch is the star of the show with beef, chicken and gammon, along with a nut roast on offer every week.
Viva Brazil
For something a little different, Viva Brazil dishes up Brazilian barbecue classics with a view of the Mersey. Choose from an extensive à la carte menu or go for one of their rodizio options. All are served with unlimited salads and feature up to 14 cuts of meat.
The Art School
Hidden down a quiet street behind Liverpool University, The Art School is the brainchild of chef Paul Askew. Having worked in top restaurants the world over, Askew returned to his native Liverpool in 2014 to make his mark on the city. And that, he certainly had. The Art School offers a choice of set menus from a four course Prix Fixe to an eight course tasting menu.
Their wine cellars are a destination in their own right, serving afternoon tea and a light bites menu to accompany the extensive wine list.
Liverpool’s best nightlife
From the weary sailors of yesteryear to today’s student population, Liverpool has always been a city which comes alive after dark. It remains home to some of England’s best nightlife venues, so it’s well worth planning a night out whilst you’re here.
The Cavern Club
Undoubtedly Liverpool’s most famous bar, The Cavern Club is where The Beatles performed in their early years. Long before they hit the world stage, they were serenading patrons of this cozy city center spot. Right next door to the Hard Days Night hotel, the Cavern Club should be the first stop on your Liverpool night out.
The Pump House
A classic English pub with possibly the best location in town, The Pump House sits on trendy Albert Dock. If a quiet pint with a view is your cup of tea, this is the place for you. They also serve an extensive food menu until 9 pm every night.
Panoramic 34
Situated on the 34th floor of West Tower, Panoramic 34 is Liverpool’s highest bar. In summer, this is the place to watch the sunset over the city and, in winter, it’s the place to admire the city lights perched up above the city. Cocktails and champagne are the speciality here.
Heebie Jeebies
For those nights where sleep is low on the agenda, the party at Heebie Jeebies goes on until 4 am. Liverpool’s top spot for late night dancing, Heebie Jeebies is spread across three floors with dance anthems playing all night long.
For the ultimate experience weekend away in Liverpool experience, book a booth or join one of their cocktail masterclasses. It’s surprising that so much can happen in what is basically a nightclub.
Best shopping in Liverpool
Liverpool One is the city’s top shopping destination and the tenth largest mall in the whole country. Opened as part of the city’s waterfront regeneration in 2008, this outdoor mall is home to over 170 stores which include high street favorites and fashion boutiques.
For football fanatics, both Liverpool and Everton have their club shops at Liverpool One. In a stroke of marketing genius, Everton named their shop at Liverpool One “Everton Two”.
Another great spot for some retail therapy is Royal Albert Dock which is a great place to pick up the latest fashion trends plus souvenirs.
Liverpool’s Top Attractions
Royal Albert Dock
Once the gritty heartland of Liverpool’s maritime industry, Albert Dock dates back to 1846 and has been extensively redeveloped since the early 2000s. Granted a royal charter in 2018, it is now Liverpool’s most famous destination and home to some excellent shops, restaurants and museums.
Tate Liverpool
A northern outpost of London’s famous Tate Gallery, Tate Liverpool is an Albert Dock highlight. With free admission, a massive collection of art, talks, tours and workshops, the Tate is a must for the ultimate weekend in Liverpool.
At the time of writing, the Albert Dock location is temporarily closed for refurbishment. The exhibition is currently being held at RIBA on Mann Island.
Merseyside Maritime Museum
Another of Albert Dock’s free museums, the Merseyside Maritime Museum tells the story of Liverpool’s links with the ill-fated Titanic. Although she never sailed to the town, Liverpool was her home port and also home to many of the crew who never returned home.
International Slavery Museum
The third, and quite possibly the best, of Albert Dock’s free museums, the International Slavery Museum is a moving must-see. A tribute to those forcibly enslaved, the museum tells their stories from the days of the transatlantic slave trade right up to modern-day slavery. The museum works with charities and organizations to highlight the tragic reality that slavery is not confined to the past.
The Beatles
Formed in Liverpool in 1960, The Fab Four left their mark all over the world. In Liverpool, that mark is alive and well to this day. Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields Forever and In My Life, some of their biggest hits, were written about the city. In their honor, The Cavern Club donated life-sized statues of the four which stand beside the Royal Liver Building.
The Beatles Story
Learn more about the iconic quartet at The Beatles Story on Albert Dock. The Beatles Story offers an interactive journey through their history. Telling the tales of their early years in Liverpool to their solo careers which followed, this museum is an absolute must for any Beatles fan.
Liverpool Beatles Museum
With over 1,000 original items from drums and guitars to personal letters and previously unseen interviews and footage, Liverpool Beatles Museum is, surprisingly, something of a hidden gem.
Magical Mystery Tour
An ode to The Beatles’s 1967 album, Magical Mystery Tours runs tours several times a day and are the ideal way to experience Liverpool. Tours take in some of the city’s top sights, from Penny Lane to The Cavern Club via Paul McCartney’s childhood home. You’ll need to pre-book your tickets as this one of the most popular things to do in Liverpool.
Ferry Cross the Mersey
The Beatles aren’t the only band made in Liverpool. Gerry and The Pacemakers are another of the city’s most famous sons. Their 1964 top-ten single Ferry Cross the Mersey was written about the passenger ferries which connect Liverpool with The Wirral, a peninsula on the other side of the River Mersey.
Mersey Ferries still cross the river day in, day out. A trip along the river is not only a must for fans of the song, but a great way to see Liverpool from a different perspective. For the best experience, combine your trip with an open top sightseeing bus tour.
Cathedrals
Liverpool has two cathedrals and one couldn’t be more different from the other.
Liverpool’s Church of England cathedral, known simply as Liverpool Cathedral, is the largest in England and eighth largest in the world. Construction started in 1904 and the structure stands at 152 meters high.
In great contrast to the grand Church of England cathedral, the city’s Catholic cathedral – Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral – is a small affair built in much more modern style. Despite Catholicism in Liverpool increasing greatly during the Irish famine, the Cathedral wasn’t built until 1967. Its iconic roof has became known by the nickname ‘Paddy’s Wigwam’.
Beyond Liverpool: Day Trips
A great base for exploring the surrounding area, Liverpool is an excellent place to stay for longer if time permits. We recently covered the top 5 day trips from Liverpool which are well worth a look if you’re able to stick around for longer.
For your ultimate weekend away in Liverpool, you’ll want to spend as much time as possible exploring the city, but one place you shouldn’t miss is Chester.
A half-day trip to Chester
One of England’s most historic cities, Chester was first settled by the Roman invaders in 79 AD. To this day, it has the best preserved Roman walls in the country.
Remaining an important settlement through the ages, Chester Castle was built by the Normans in 1070 on the orders of William the Conqueror. Unlike the city walls, much of the castle is now in ruins. Agricola Tower, part of the castle’s defensive wall, is well worth a visit.
Take a wander through Eastgate, the original Roman entrance to the town. In 1897 an iconic clock was added to the gate to commemorate Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee. Eastgate Street is Chester’s main shopping destination and home to plenty of boutiques and some great restaurants.
If time permits, head along to the Grosvenor Museum. This free museum tells the story of Chester from Roman times through to the interwar years.
Getting to Chester
The best way from Liverpool to Chester is by train, with departures every 15 minutes from Liverpool Central. The journey takes around 40 minutes making Chester an easy addition to your weekend in Liverpool itinerary.
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