Liverpool City Panoramic

The city of Liverpool stretches along the east bank of the grey, swirling waters of the River Mersey, the trio of Pier Head buildings, with the monumental Royal Liver Buildings, comfortably familiar even to those visiting for the first time, taking centre stage. The centre of the city climbs above the water-front, while rising over all are the two great cathedrals. Here, without question, is one of the world’s great cities. Liverpool was England’s second port, boasting trading links with North America, the West Indies, Africa, China and India. It was here in 1840 that Samuel Cunard established the first shipping line carrying passengers to North America.

As you come ashore to begin your tour, the Royal Liver Building is a major city building immediately appreciated. Its Towers are topped by statues of mythical Liver Birds from which it is said the city took its name. Your tour will show you Liverpool is a lively cosmopolitan city with an unsurpassed range of attractions along the majestic waterfront, in the city centre, and the suburbs. It has a rich architectural heritage with many buildings built to classical designs. Leaving from the Pier Head, Liverpool’s most famous landmark, you will pass through the oldest part of the city seeing the Town Hall fronted by a Corinthian portico. It was rebuilt around parts of the original 1754 hall. Then viewing the Cavern Quarter, where the Beatles performed at The Cavern Club many times.

Passing through Chinatown, you next arrive at the second of Liverpool’s great religious buildings for a visit - the Anglican Cathedral. Built in Gothic style from red sandstone, it is the largest cathedral in Britain, with the foundation stone laid in 1904, but not completed until 1978. It also has the highest arches, the largest organ and the heaviest bells.

The City can also boast to being one of the greenest in Britain, and your tour will continue with a visit to the suburbs and the parkland areas. You pass Penny Lane, with a photo stop of the famous road sign.

Then return to the city centre through more areas of parkland, along the reclaimed river frontage to the converted dockland areas of Albert Dock. Opened in 1846 as England’s gateway to the New World, Albert Dock is the largest group of Grade I listed buildings in Great Britain. You may leave the tour here to independently explore the complex of small select shops, and other attractions; or continue with the motorcoach for the remaining distance to Pier Head.