Legend has it that the statue of the two Liver birds fitted atop the Royal Liver Building are eternal protectors of the city of Liverpool. Likewise, there are many such iconic buildings in Liverpool that tell interesting stories.
Today, these buildings don’t just make for a stunning sight, but have also become conveyors of social change — Liverpool’s most famous structures being lit up in the rainbow colours of the LGBT+ flags for the “Come Out of the Shadows” campaign is the best example of this.
Located in northwest England, Liverpool is the fifth largest city in the UK with a population of 2.24 million. It is a popular spot amongst tourists and is known for being the home ground of The Beatles and two football clubs — Everton and Liverpool. However, it is the overwhelming presence of culture, art, music and heritage structures that adds depth to this port city. Liverpool is known for its heritage structures — every street, every corner is filled with stunning and historic buildings.
We list five iconic buildings that you must visit when in Liverpool:
Speke Hall
Strolling around the Victorian gardens and grounds of Tudor-style house of Speke Hall is an ideal way to spend your day.
It is a Grade I listed building in Liverpool that houses a range of artworks, eateries and shops for visitors to explore. Ancient oak furniture, arms and armour, tapestries, paintings and ceramics are exhibited in this property.
Built by the Norris family in 1530, Speke Hall is an architectural treat with its interiors filled with carved and embellished panelling.
Book lovers will have a field day here, as this building offers a wide collection in its library. Visitors can also enjoy the winter sale at Speke Hall, where beautiful throws and scarves are up for grabs.
After exploring the property, you can sit back and enjoy pastries, spirits and flavoured ice creams at Speke Hall’s renowned F&B outlets — Home Farm Restaurant, Stable Tea Room and Cheshire Farm Ice Cream Kiosk.
Royal Liver Building
The Royal Liver Building, overlooking River Mersey stands tall as one of Liverpool’s “Three Graces”. It was built in 1911 and served as the head office for the Royal Liver Assurance group, that helped people who lost a wage-earning member of their family. Now, it is a commercial property that offers work spaces to companies like Amaze, SportPesa, Princes Ltd. and ITV.
Designed by Walter Aubrey Thomas, this architectural beauty is amongst the first few buildings in the world that was made with reinforced concrete. The Royal Liver Building has gothic-style exterior and state-of-the-art interiors, making it a perfect blend of classic and contemporary design.
Visitors can take a tour inside the Royal Liver Building only during the Heritage Open Days.
Bluecoat Chambers
If you are looking to explore the culture
and art of Liverpool, then Bluecoat Chambers is the place for you. Once a charity school, this historic building is now an arts centre that holds exhibitions, debates, discussions, public meetings, campaigns, poetry readings, musical concerts and cultural lectures.
Apart from being an art lover’s paradise, this place also offers some local food and drinks, that you should try out.
During Christmas, this quaint space also hosts parties and small gatherings.
Lastly, walking through the snow-covered courtyard of Blue Chamber is an experience in itself that you shouldn’t miss in Liverpool.
Liverpool Cathedral
With a history that dates back to the early 20th century, Liverpool Cathedral is one of the most prominent structures in England’s port city. It was constructed between 1904 and 1978 and is based on the design philosophies of English architect Giles Gilbert Scott.
Music lovers may be happy to know that this cathedral owns UK’s largest organ.
You can also check out the cathedral shop for buying books, cards and souvenirs.
West Tower
Amidst the medieval-style structures of the city lies West Tower, a modern 40-storey skyscraper in Liverpool. This is the tallest building in Liverpool, and boats a stunning view of the city. The first five floors of this building are used by real estate developers Beetham Organisation as their headquarters. The remaining floors (except the 34th) of this building offer plush apartments and swanky penthouses.
On the 34th floor of West Tower, is an upscale restaurant called the Panoramic 34, where you can enjoy a meal with a beautiful view of the Liverpool skyline. www.visitbritain.com/in
What’s on in Liverpool
Paul McCartney concert
The legendary musician will be returning to his home crowd for a live performance in December at Echo Arena Liverpool. Paul McCartney, along with his band will be performing a collection of The Beatles classics, and his solo productions for the Liverpudlians.
On: December 12, 2018
British Musical Fireworks Championship
Witness some of the most spectacular fireworks at Victoria Park in Liverpool. Over three nights, leading pyrotechnic companies showcase unique fireworks complemented by music, design and choreography.
On: September 28, 2018 – September 30, 2018
Art exhibition: John Lennon and Yoko Ono
Set up at the Museum of Liverpool, this exhibition titled Double Fantasy celebrates the relationship of two legendary artists — John Lennon and Yoko Ono. On display, are artworks, music and films for visitors to explore. Some personal items of John and Yoko are also showcased in this year-long exhibition.
On: Until April 22, 2019
Connectivity
FLY: Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) is situated seven miles south-east of Liverpool City Centre and adjacent to the River Mersey. Currently, the airport handles almost five million passengers per year with flights to over 60 destinations in the UK and across Europe.
TRAIN: Virgin Trains provides direct service from London to Liverpool Lime Street every hour.
Touring the City: Liverpool City Walks offers a 90-minute guided walk which includes Albert Dock, the waterfront area and many more such heritage sites.
