China Town

Many large cities in the UK today have their own Chinese Quarter and Liverpool is no exception. However, Liverpool is home to one of the largest and certainly the oldest Chinese Community in Europe.

Liverpool has a diverse cultural base and a trip round Chinatown soon illustrates the way in which this community has integrated within the city. A variety of excellent cuisine is on offer and the small shops are of interest to locals and tourists visiting this part of the city.

The Chinese New Year is Celebrated in style in the heart of Europe’s oldest Chinese community. This extravaganza features street entertainers, music and dance. The celebrations include a number of parades in which locals are dressed in Chinese mythical costumes of Lions and dragons. The street parades are well attended and the atmosphere is magnificent. Chinese houses and restaurants in the Chinese Quarter are cleaned and decorated with flowers for the occasion.

For more information Telephone: 0151 233 3000.

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The Wirral

The Wirral is a peninsula and divided from Liverpool by the Mersey and from Wales by the Dee Estuary. The Wirral has a beautiful and varied coastline with breathtaking scenery, the landscape changes with high cliffs and tidal estuaries.

There are a variety of attractions ranging from Wirral Country Park, Historic Warships and the Voirrey Embroidery Centre. A trip on Europe's oldest ferry service is a must. Visit the Mersey Ferries website for more details. The Historic Warships Museum is based in the Wirral at Birkenhead and is featured on the links to the right.

Nes Botanic Gardens has extensive collections of trees and flowers and there is an adventure playground for the children. Other major attractions include the Birkenhead Heritage Trail where the wealth and history of the Wirral is revealed and celebrated. Lady Lever Art Gallery with its Pre Raphaelite masterpieces and famous lanscapes by British Artists is a national treasure just waiting to be explored.

For more information on the Wirral take a look at the official website at : www.wirral.gov.uk/

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Historic Warships

The Warship Preservation Trust at Birkenhead features Historic Warships from World War II and the Falklands War. Upon arriving at the Museum you cannot fail to notice the impressive U534 submarine near the entrance. This is the only German submarine to be raised from the seabed after being sunk.

An array of craft awaits the visitor including a landing craft and visitor centre which displays an array of artifacts, interactive computer displays and display boards. The U534 Museum tells the story of the battle of the U-boats and their gradual decline and dessimation towards the end of the Second World War.

More recent exhibits include the submarine HMS Onyx which carried SAS troops to their destinations around the coastline of the Falkland Islands and HMS Plymouth where the surrender of South Georgia took place in the ship's wardroom. This particular frigate saw action and was hit by four enemy bombs. Suprisingly there were no casualties.

Allow at least 2-3 hours for a good look around. More details can be found at the Historic Warships website : www.warships.freeserve.co.uk

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Historic Warships, East Float Dock, Dock Road, Birkenhead, Wirral.

Tel: 0151 650 1573

Wallasey

Where is Wallasey? Ask any number of people where Wallasey is and you are greeted with a confused look and a pondering mind. It's not exactly off the beaten track either. Crossing under the tunnel from Liverpool into Wirral you find yourself just a stones throw away from Wallasey.

The Domesday Book records the settlement as Walea, and a document of 1351 mentions it under the name of Waleysegh, from wala (Old English, "Welsh") and eg ("island")—literally, "island of the Welsh". Settlements have been established here for some time and there has been a church as Wallasey since the 6th century. Wallasey used to be well known for the number of shipwrecks caused by the rising tide and busy shipping lanes.

Wallasey has a population of circa 50,000 citizens. With an impressive Town Hall and excellent views across the Mersey, there is not much in the way of local interest or attractions. However, Wallasey benefits from being in close proximity to Liverpool and is near the Historic Warships Museum. The main trade is in ship repairing, flour mills and the services sector although Wallasey is primarily a residential area.

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Super Lamb

OK. Is this a joke we hear you ask. After all, Liverpool already has its very own mascot - The Liver Bird. So just where does The Super Lamb Banana fit in?. Well it was designed by a Japanese artist called Taro Chiezo apparently to warn of the dangers of genetic engineering and to symbolise the playful spirit of Liverpool. Hmmmmmm.

Further investigation reveals that this 7.5 ton sculpture cost £35,000. The sculpture is supposed to represent the head of a lamb blended into a banana. The statue was completed in 1998 and is painted bright yellow. You can't miss it as its close to the Albert Dock and along the main road. The exhibit at Liverpool's waterfront has caused quite a stir.

Locals would appear divided as to whether or not they like the sculpture. Some hate it with a vengeance and others have come to love it. Whatever your opinion, the Super Lamb Banana takes centre stage in Liverpool and will probably remain the centre of controversy for some time.

What about a sheep blended with a leek for our friends in Wales? Painted illuminous green it could be used to perhaps symbolise Cardiff?

The Albert Dock

The Albert Dock was opened in 1846. Cargo from all over the world passed through these docks. After a period of recession the Albert Dock is now a vibrant centre of leisure, business, retail and tourism showcase for Liverpool. The Albert Dock Company Ltd have transformed the tumbled down old dock buildings and revitalised the area beyond recognition.

When we stopped by to take a few photos of the Albert Docks the atmosphere was exciting and colourful. The bright yellow amphibious craft ( ducks ) were busy taking tourists around the waterways, the open top tour bus was doing a brisk trade and the retail units and restaurants were full to overflowing. These pleasant surroundings, and home of Granada Television for the floating UK weather map (see photos), have made their mark on Liverpool city and provided a unique experience and excellent facility for the people of Liverpool and tourists alike.

The complex is not short on attractions either. It houses the Liverpool Tate Gallery, The Merseyside Maritime Museum and The Story of the Beatles. Liverpool is fast becoming a culture centre in its own right. The wine bars and restaurants are not over priced and yet tastefully laid out with a wide range of excellent cuisine to choose from.

Situated on Liverpool's waterfront not far from the Liver Building and adjacent to Pier Head it is in close proximity to the city centre and other nearby attractions.

For more information take a look at their website which can be found at :

www.albertdock.com

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Maritime Museum

It is hardly surprising that Liverpool houses the Maritime Museum. Outside of London, Liverpool was once one of the most influential and prosperous cities in Europe. Liverpool was a major trading port and merchants from around the world would import and export their goods to and from Liverpool.

Liverpool was also notorious for its involvement in the slave trade and the museum illustrates the connections and deplorable conditions of the slave ships that would regularly be seen travelling up and down the Mersey.

At the museum you can explore the history of Liverpools seafaring traditions and the merchant navy. The museum also hosts a collection of shipping records in the maritime Archive and Library.

The Merseyside Maritime museum opened in 1980 in an old warehouse in Albert Dock in Liverpool. Merseyside Maritime Museum is in a former bonded warehouse, part of the historic Albert Dock on the banks of the River Mersey. The museum, tells the story of one of the world's greatest ports and the people who used it.

Albert Dock.  Liverpool,  L3 4AQ .  Tel: 0151 478 4499

For more information take a look at their website which can be found at :

www.merseysidemaritimemuseum.org.uk/

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Liverpool Cathedral

Liverpool Cathedral is not an old Cathedral of ancient times. It was actually built in the last century and is pretty new by Cathedral Standards. It is often said that no one in today's modern world would have the inclination or the patience to build a cathedral on the scale of some of the ancient and impressive Cathedrals that can be found in Britain and Europe.

Liverpool has done just that. Construction began in 1923 and the Cathedral was used for the first time in 1941 although the building was incomplete. The Cathedral survived the bombings of the Second World War although one bomb was deflected off the Cathedral roof and exploded in a nearby street. In 1978 a Service of Dedication and Thanksgiving celebrated the opening of the Cathedral. Queen Elizabeth II was in attendance.

Liverpool Cathedral can proudly boast to be the largest Cathedral in Britain. It is also the fifth largest Cathedral in the world. The Grand Organ is an impressive feature of the Cathedral and was made by Henry Willis in 1926. It took 3 years to build. Visiting Liverpool, you are sure to catch a glimpse of this beautiful infrastructure. On closer examination the shear size of the building is bound to impress.

The dimensions and diagrams of the structure can be found at:

www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk

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Liver Building

Probably the most photographed and well known building in Liverpool. It is located at Pier Head and stands proud and majestic against the skyline of Liverpool and the riverfront. The building is made of reinforced concrete and was the first large scale building of its type. It was built in 1911 for the Royal Liver Friendly Society.

This impressive architectural masterpiece features a pair of clock towers from which shipping could tell the time as they passed en route along the river. The clock faces are actually larger than the clock face of Big Ben in London. In fact, they are the largest clock dials in Britain. In 1953 electronic chimes were installed to serve as a memorial to the members of the Royal Liver Friendly Society who died during the two World Wars. At night time the clock dials are illuminated.

A statue of a Liver Bird spreading its wings from the top of each clock tower enhances the glory of the building and its impressive features. The Liver Bird, the official mascot of Liverpool is a cormorant (seaweed bird) which in bygone times could often be seen flying alongside the Mersey River with seaweed in their beaks.

The Royal Liver Building is still the Head Office for the Royal Liver Friendly Society.

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Beatles

Known all over the world, The Beatles started right here in Liverpool at Mathew Street in a music venue called The Cavern. Liverpool is justly proud of the fact that John, Paul, George and Ringo formed the group here in their home city. The city celebrates their lives and music with regular venues, nostalgic exhibitions and promotions.

The Magical Mystery Tour takes in the landmarks that often reflect the lyrics of the Beatles songs. Names such as Penny Land and Strawberry Fields. The original home of Paul McCartney was restored by the National Trust and can be found at 20 Forthlin Street. A collection of works by John Lennon can be viewed at Mathew Street Art Gallery and the Cavern is still open as a music venue and destination for Beatles fans the world over.

The Beatles Story exhibition in Liverpool recreates the whole 60's experience with the fab four from 1962, through Beatlemania and flower power, to the 70's and beyond. The minute you enter The Beatles Story, you begin to live and breathe the 60's, the Beatles music, Liverpool, the beat, a magical history tour through Merseyside and beyond. Visitors to the exhibition experience relive the rise to fame of the fab four with both recreations and original Beatles exhibits. Visit the website at:

www.beatlesstory.com

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