On the Mersey beat

The Liver Building, a Liverpool landmark, inspired another classic, the popular seventies TV show, The Liver Birds. The two Liver bird statutes perch proudly 300ft above the city. Legend says one of these mythical creatures protects the people of Liverpool, while the other looks out for visitors coming into port.

Made up of three docks, Albert Dock is the busiest, with shops, hotels and restaurants. It also has an impressive collection of museums. Around the waterfront is the internationally renowned Tate Liverpool, the Maritime Museum and Slavery Museum. The Beatles Story is just one of many attractions devoted to the city’s famous sons, the latest addition being a bronze statue, unveiled in December last year at Pier Head.

No trip to Liverpool would be complete without taking the world-famous ferry across the Mersey. We enjoyed our 50 minute River Explorer Cruise on the Peter Blake- designed psychedelic ‘dazzle ferry’ – tickets also included entry to Spaceport or the U-Boat Story on the Wirral side of the river. The on-board commentary was informative, touching on the history of the buildings, the industry and the busy Port of Liverpool.

Back in the centre we had a bird’s eye view of the city from St John’s Beacon. Home to Radio City it became the first commercial radio station outside of London to broadcast live 24 hours a day. The high-speed lift took us up 400ft in under 30 seconds where we were left to enjoy the panoramic views, as far reaching as North Wales. And what a fantastic setting for the DJ’s to present their daily shows from.

Liverpudlians love their shopping. Following the successful opening of the Liverpool ONE shopping centre, the city is now home to over 400 shops. There’s a choice of mainstream and high-end retailers to trendy and bohemian shops to appeal to the many university students. The exclusive Metquarter and Cavern Quarter, home to the famous Cricket Boutique, is worth a browse, even if your budget is limited.

On a weekend the nightlife certainly takes over. Stag and hen parties aside, the bars, clubs and theatres offer a wide selection of entertainment to suit every taste and age group. The famous Cavern Club is still attracting lovers of live music, nearly 60 years after opening.

Head out of the city and the pace relaxes. Crosby Beach is home to 100 cast iron life-size figures that make up Antony Gormley’s art installation, Another Place. Spread out along 1.5 miles of the shore looking out to sea they are especially stunning if you catch them at sunset and low tide.

A short drive north takes you to Southport and Formby, with its sand dunes and National Trust Nature Reserve which host a colony of rare red squirrels.

Leaving the city, we crossed the river again, this time via the Mersey Tunnel to Wallasey on the Wirral Peninsula. There are actually two road tunnels and one rail tunnel, which means great access for both holidaymakers and commuters alike. The Wirral itself has much to offer, including the historic Port Sunlight. Created in 1888 by William Hesketh Lever to provide affordable housing for his Lever Brothers Soap Works employees, it is still home to over 3,000 residents. The 130 acre site with around 900 Grade II listed buildings is lovingly maintained by an independent charity which also runs the Port Sunlight Museum. There’s an air of tranquility as you wander the beautiful tree-lined avenues, stopping off at The Lady Lever Art Gallery or the impressive Defence of the Home war memorial.

Knowsley Safari Park is probably one of the area’s most famous attractions. A wildlife park, amusement rides, boating lake and high-ropes course ensure there’s plenty for a fun day out.

The highlight for us though, has to be the Safari Ride. Take your car on a five- mile journey spotting the free-roaming lions, rhinos, camels and more. Venturing into the baboon enclosure gives you the opportunity to get up close and personal with our primate relatives.

It was on our second trip round that we attracted two little friendly visitors onto our car. Luckily our windscreen wipers and wing mirrors remained intact. For those not wanting to drive round or without a car, there’s the ‘baboon bus’ to take passengers around the park.

Liverpool, like its proud inhabitants, is lively, vibrant, full of life and very welcoming. You can’t fail to be swept along by the Scouse charm and it’s well worth taking a short break to fully explore this Northern gem.