Liverpool
Liverpool is experiencing a renaissance and as it moves closer to the title of Capital of Culture 2008 we are seeing exciting enhancements to the city.
City Life
As a city, Liverpool is diverse, energetic and exciting: we really think there's something for everyone here. From Celebrating Liverpool's 800th Birthday in 2007 to the Capital of Culture in 2008; football to festivals; music to maritime. Try some of these suggestions and sample a slice of Liverpool culture.
Arts & Culture - Liverpool boasts two Cathedrals which are major attractions in their own right. The Anglican Cathedral and the Metropolitan Cathedral are fine examples of internationally recognised architecture.
Musical - If music's more your scene, take a Liverpool Beatles Tour, with the Magical Mystery Tour, Cavern Club, Casbah, Beatles Story or the Mathew Street Festival in August. Younger music lovers might prefer Creamfields on August Bank Holiday weekend, or Chibuku Shake Shake, while Wirral hosts the International Guitar Festival every Autumn.
Maritime - Trace the thread of maritime history through Liverpool, starting at the Merseyside Maritime Museum. From the museum, head down to the Pier Head and Three Graces, before taking a Mersey Ferry across the river, where you can visit Spaceport at the Seacombe terminal.
Shopping and Nightlife - 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.
Sport - Red or blue, you can tour both of Liverpool's football stadia - Everton and five times European Champions Liverpool. The Grand National is run every year in April and racing returns to Merseyside for November's North West Masters meeting. The winners of the Round the World Clipper Race cross the line here in July
Country
As well as a fantastic city-based experience in Liverpool, there is a stunning natural environment on offer, including over 35,000 hectares of nationally and internationally important nature conservation sites and over 30 miles of beaches and coastline designated for their natural beauty and interest.
The region is also home to an extensive and historic canal network stemming from the Industrial Revolution including the Sankey and the Leeds-Liverpool Canal's.
Between the Rivers Dee and Mersey and with the Irish Sea to the north, Wirral is a peninsula blessed with stunning natural splendour and a wild, unspoilt coastline. Protected coastland parks preserve some of the finest coastal scenery in Britain and winding country lanes criss-cross the verdant landscape.
Coast
The Mersey Waterfront Regional Park stretches for approximately 135 km along the Merseyside coast, taking in the elegant Victorian promenade of Southport, the stunning natural beauty of Wirral and The Wirral Way, and the internationally significant bird habitats in Halton.
It features Liverpool's Three Graces and Albert Dock, as well as the beaches and dunes of Formby, the stunning Antony Gormley statues Another Place at Crosby, a clutch of world famous golf courses and countless internationally important nature reserves.
This unique and diverse waterfront is the setting for world class architecture, breathtaking views and the arena for a wide range of sports.