It is no mystery that Liverpool is known for being the birthplace of The Beatles and the home of Liverpool FC, but who would’ve thought the tap water isn’t vegan-friendly? Viktorie Lachmannová heads north
Liverpool is easily approachable by all forms of transportation, though I strongly don’t recommend horseback or going by a minibus crammed with people with no windows open. Trust me, it’s not a pleasant experience.
You can start your visit anywhere, though Albert Dock offers a nice and strong introduction to the city’s vibe. Colourful little shops filled with a wide selection of souvenirs, sweets, original home decor, The Beatles merchandise, and Harry Potter robes for no apparent reason, are a good start to your day.
If you decide to follow the river upwards, you can pretend to be strolling with The Beatles themselves, or at least their bronze statue version, in front of The Three Graces. Behind The Three Graces, a set of three buildings referencing different parts of humanity, you will stumble upon the majestic Liverpool Town Hall. The National Heritage List for England refers to it as “one of the finest surviving 18th-century town halls”, and I can confirm that it is a feast for the eyes.
From there, it is only a few minutes to get to the most important street for all The Beatles fans – Cavern Street. The smokey late-night atmosphere breathes at you as you walk past the world-famous Cavern Club, where Brian Epstein, their later manager, first saw The Beatles. They performed there an unbelievable 292 times until it closed in 1973.
The bar was closed for 10 years and underwent a reconstruction. It re-opened in 1984, was temporarily closed, but is once more welcoming visitors. Don’t hesitate to drop by for a drink. And it would not be a complete visit to Liverpool if you didn’t go into The Beatles Story Museum.
The Beatles Story Museum is a wonderful experience. Each room leads you through a different era of the band’s life. You’ll feel like you’re going through these stages with them. Be prepared to spend around an hour and a half there. Be ready to leave with a lighter wallet after visiting the gift shop.
Right outside Cavern Street, you’ll find the faceless, desperate-looking statue of Eleanor Rigby. Her grave is unfortunately too far to visit in one day, but at least you can snap a selfie with her metal self. Then you can visit St John’s Gardens, a beautiful place to rest your feet after all the exploring. From there, you can admire the majestic Saint George’s Hall, a neoclassical building that hosts concerts. It may not appear as majestic as from the other side, so make sure to look at it standing next to Lime Street railway station. A tip: nip into Liverpool Central Library. You’ll be amazed the second you enter, facing the magical atrium staircase.
If you arrived in Liverpool in the morning, you’ll probably be hungry by now. Don’t worry, I got you. Five minutes away from Liverpool Central Library, you can find a corner-house pub called Ma Egerton’s. It’s named after Mary Egerton, who was born in Dublin and came to Liverpool in the 1890s. She was a registered theatrical agent and turned the place into a famous theatrical pub.
Here you can order the famous Liverpool scouse – a stew typically made from meat with potatoes, carrots and onion. Ma Egerton’s has a lovely art deco atmosphere – dark alleys, stylish dark wooden floors, a fireplace, vintage posters, and interesting staff. The barman was the kind of person you can’t tell when they’re joking. He seemed pleased and annoyed at the same time. We ordered tap water, but out of the blue, he said it’s not for vegans. We stared at him in confusion, smiled politely, and wanted to move on, but he wouldn’t let it go. He insisted that there are microorganisms in the water, so vegans can’t drink it. A display of Liverpool humour, possibly?
After the meaty miracle, you simply have to go to the Liverpool Cathedral. Inside, the size of the place will take your breath away. I’m 6ft 2 ins, and I don’t feel small often, but in that place, I did. I felt overwhelmed and awed at the same time.
You can wander back to the centre by walking along Jamaica Street, which is alive with street art. If you need to spice up your Instagram feed, you can pose against blue graffiti wings.
If you don’t have to rush back, exploring the city during the night is undoubtedly an amazing experience. If you happen to be in Liverpool on Sunday, complete your Beatles pilgrimage by going to the Cavern Club in the evening, grabbing a pint of beer, and listening to the band performing there. And don’t forget, all you need is love (pa-pa-pa-ra-raaaa)!
Since I´m no guide, feel free to go to https://www.visitliverpool.com/, where they’ll tell you everything you need to know.
