Did you catch Liverpool on a recent episode of Great British Cities with Susan Calman?
In the Channel 5 series' inaugural episode, Susan delves into Liverpool's diverse histories, from exploring an underground labyrinth to discovering a police bridewell turned pub, along with the city’s historic landmarks and cultural heritage.
If you’re interested in learning more about the locations Susan visited on her trip to the city, we’ve rounded them all up so you can explore the stories of Liverpool’s history for yourself.
Royal Albert Dock
The Royal Albert Dock is the largest collection of Grade I listed buildings in the UK and one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. Opened in 1846, Liverpool’s docks dominated global trade and changed the way the docks worked forever.
Today, the Royal Albert Dock hosts some of the city’s cultural must-visits, including a range of bars, restaurants, and museums that detail the history of the docks and Liverpool’s history.
Explore everything from Tate Liverpool to the Maritime Museum, International Slavery Museum, and The Beatles Story on your next visit to Royal Albert Dock.
The Bridewell
A stone’s throw away from the Royal Albert Dock is The Bridewell. A Grade II listed Police ‘bridewell’ that dates back to the mid-19th century, lovingly converted into a pub with cells now used as seating areas.
If walls could talk, the Bridewell would have a few stories. Not only was Charles Dickens sworn in as a special constable here in 1860 while researching his novel 'The Uncommercial Traveller,' but the iconic Liverpool band Frankie Goes To Hollywood was also founded in the building in the 1980s – with most of 'Welcome To the Pleasuredome' written in what was once a rehearsal space.
Friends of Williamson’s Tunnels
Discover the hidden histories of Williamson’s Tunnels, a labyrinth of tunnels and underground caverns under the Edge Hill district of Liverpool. The tunnels were built in the first few decades of the 1800s under the control of the retired tobacco merchant Joseph Williamson, but the purpose behind their construction remains uncertain.
Visitors can now explore sections of the tunnels and caverns to learn about what has so far been revealed during the excavations.
Find out more about visiting Williamson’s Tunnels here.
St George’s Hall
Described by Charles Dickens as ‘the most perfect Hall in the world,’ St George’s Hall is one of Liverpool’s most iconic landmarks. Recognised as one of the finest neoclassical buildings in the world, the history-steeped Grade I listed building has played host to world-class entertainment since the 1800s.
Not only was St George’s Hall known for its lavish parties and concert halls, but the building was also home to law courts and holding cells – another piece of the building’s incredible history.
To this day, you can explore the stunning building at many events from concerts to exhibitions, talks, comedy, and everything in between. For a closer look at the history of the building, embark on the History Whisperer or a Guided Tour to delve into its fascinating past.
Find out more about visiting St George’s Hall here.
The Beatles
You can’t visit Liverpool without uncovering the history of where it all started for the biggest band in the world, The Beatles.
The four lads from Liverpool changed the face of music when they burst onto the Merseybeat scene in the 1960s with regular appearances at the famous Cavern Club – 292 appearances, in fact!
The success of The Beatles was not only driven by their revolutionary sound, but the drive and ambition of their manager, Brian Epstein - often considered the ‘fifth Beatle’.
In 2022, a statue of Epstein was unveiled near the former site of his family’s NEMS record shop in Liverpool city centre, a stone’s throw from the famous Mathew Street, and can be visited today as part of your Beatles experience in Liverpool.
Want to learn more about The Beatles in Liverpool? Find out all about the Beatles attractions you can enjoy on your next visit on our blog here. From museums to tours, there’s a fab experience waiting for you!
Liverpool Cathedral
Did you know that Liverpool is home to not one but two cathedrals? And to top it off, Liverpool Cathedral is the biggest in the UK!
Designed by Giles Gilbert Scott, the cathedral was completed in 1978 and has gone on to become an iconic image of Liverpool’s landscape. 2024 marks 100 years since the consecration of Liverpool Cathedral and there’s lots to uncover in celebrating its centenary.
Today you can visit the cathedral for many reasons, as a place of worship or quiet reflection, to see their regular cultural offerings of exhibitions, music events, and family activities, to experience a tour of the tower or enjoy something tasty to eat in their Welsford Bistro.
Find out more about visiting Liverpool Cathedral here.
Football in Liverpool
Liverpool and football go hand in hand. With two major clubs, Liverpool FC and Everton FC, housed either side of Stanley Park, the city lives and breathes the sport.
Whether you’re a fan of the teams or not, Liverpool’s football history is worth exploring on your visit. Take a trip to Anfield Stadium for the stadium tour and museum experience to learn all about the history of the world-famous club.
Then head over down the road to Goodison Park to see where the Blues call home until they relocate to their new stadium on the city’s waterfront at Bramley Moore Dock.
If you’re looking for places to watch the football on your visit, we’re not short of them either. From sports bars to traditional pubs, bars inside converted warehouses, and unique venues, there will be somewhere to pull up a seat.
Have a look at our blog for some inspiration on places to watch the football in Liverpool.
