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CRUISING TO ENGLAND:
LIVERPOOL ATTRACTIONS |
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In this page, we look at some of Liverpool's places of interest. Attractions relating to the Beatles are discussed in our separate articles The Beatles' Liverpool and Inside the Beatles' Boyhood Homes.
The Three Graces
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The skyline of Liverppol is dominated by three early 20th century buildings known as the Three Graces. Located on the Pier Head, the Three Graces are close to the cruise ship terminal and to the Royal Albert Dock complex.
At the turn of the 20th century, the George's dock area by the River Mersey had become obsolete and incapable of handling modern ships. The Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, which owned most of the area, decided to redevelop the site. After negotiation with the Corporation of the City of Liverpool, which owned part of the site, an agreement was reached and permission obtained to construct large office buildings on the site. The first building to be constructed was a new headquarters building for the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board. Known as the Port of Liverpool Building, this Edwardian Baroque structure opened in 1907. The idea for its central dome came from a discarded plan for the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.The skyline of Liverpool is dominated by three early 20th century buildings known as the Three Graces. Located on the Pier Head, the Three Graces are close to the cruise ship terminal and to the Royal Albert Dock complex. At the turn of the 20th century, the George's dock area by the River Mersey had become obsolete and incapable of handling modern ships. The Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, which owned most of the area, decided to redevelop the site. After negotiation with the Corporation of the City of Liverpool, which owned part of the site, an agreement was reached and permission obtained to construct large office buildings on the site. The first building to be constructed was a new headquarters building for the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board. Known as the Port of Liverpool Building, this Edwardian Baroque structure opened in 1907. The idea for its central dome came from a discarded plan for the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. The second building to be constructed was the Liver Building. Completed in 1911, it is the tallest of the three buildings and is sometimes called Britain's first skyscraper. The Liver birds atop its two towers are considered symbols of Liverpool. Built as a headquarters for the Royal Liver Assurance Society, it is today an office building. |
Above: The Liver Building.
Below: The Cunard Building. 
Above: The Port of Liverpool Building.
The third member of the trio is the Cunard Building completed in 1916. With a design reminiscent of an Italian palace, this building was the headquarters of Cunard Line when that line was the leader in passenger ships. Cunard no longer occupies it. Most of the building is offices. However, on the lower level is the British Musical Experience, a venue that chronicles British popular music. The Cunard Building is the middle building of the trio.
Lying between the Three Graces and the Mersey is a largely pedestrianized area with statues including the Beatles Statute and a memorial to the Cunard employees who were killed in the World Wars. |
Royal Albert Dock
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The Royal Albert Dock complex is a redeveloped area next to the Mersey, which includes museums, shops, cafes and restaurants.
Built as a warehouse complex in the 1840s, the dock was officially opened by Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria. The warehouses were built without wood and were considered non-combustible. In addition, they were built so that ships could load and unload cargoes directly from the warehouses. Thus, they were very advanced for their time. By the second half of the 20th century, however, the complex had become obsolete. It closed in 1972 and lay derelict for a decade. However, a redevelopment scheme begun in 1982 brought the complex back to life. Today, it is a popular tourist area and includes the Tate Liverpool, the Merseyside Maritime Museum, The Beatles Experience as well as shops and cafes. |
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Museum of Liverpool
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The Museum of Liverpool tells the story of Liverpool and its people. The museum opened in 1993 and became so popular that it was decided to construct a purpose-built structure for it. That modernistic building, located by the waterfront, opened in 2011.
For information about visiting see the Museum's website. |
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Merseyside Maritime Museum
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The Merseyside Maritime Museum is located in a former warehouse in the refurbished Albert Cock complex. It opened in 1980 and was expanded in 1986. Liverpool's role as one of the world's great ports is explored here with shipmodels, artifacts, maritime paintings and other exhibits. It also houses the International Slavery Museum and the UK Border Force's museum.
For information about visiting, see the Merseyside Maritime Museum's website. |
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World Museum
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The World Museum presents exhibits on life sciences, natural history, astronomy, and cultures from around the world. It began in 1851 with two rooms showing Lord Derby's natural history collection. The museum was so popular that it moved to a purpose-built home in 1860 at which point it became known as the William Brown Museum and Library. In 2005, it underwent a 35 million pound refurbishment that doubled the display space. Upon reopening, it took on its current name.
The World Museum is located on William Brown Street next to the Central Library and the Walker Art Gallery and is not far from St. George's Hall. Accordingly, the area is known as Liverpool's Cultural Quarter. For information about visiting, see the museum's website |
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St. George's Hall
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St George's Hall on Lime Street is a Liverpool landmark. This large Neo-classical building opened in 1854. An unusual combination, it was built to house both concert halls and law courts. For more than a century it flourished. However, in 1984, the courts moved to another location and the building was closed.
Following an extensive refurbishment, it reopened in 2007 and now hosts exhibitions and cultural events. There are also guided tours of the building's lavishly decorated Victorian interior. It is located in the center of Liverpool near the Lime Street Railroad Station. For information about visiting, see the St. George's Hall website. |
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Liverpool's Cathedrals
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Liverpool has two cathedrals. What is often called Liverpool Cathedral is actually the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. It was designed by Giles Gilbert Scott and was begun in 1900 but not completed until the 1970s. The cathedral is the biggest in the UK, has the highest Gothic arches and has the largest organ. It also offers panoramic views of the city from its 500 foot tower.
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral is the city's Roman Catholic cathedral. It is the largest Catholic cathedral in England. Consecrated in 1967, it was designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd and has a very modern look. The two cathedrals are connected by Hope Street, which was named after a local merchant before the cathedrals were built. For information about visiting the Anglican cathedral, see the cathedral's website. For information about visiting the Catholic cathedral, see the Metropolitan Cathedral website. |
Above: Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.
Below: The entrance ot Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. 
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For more about cruising to England:
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Cruise destinations - England - Liverpool - Attractions