Introduction
One of the most important cities in the UK from a cultural viewpoint, Liverpool is a place with fiercely proud residents and a unique identity. After growing as a major global port in the 18th century, Liverpool has reinvented itself as a cultural hub for the wider North West and as a booming shopping and entertainment destination. The city is pretty cosmopolitan, yet likes to give plenty of prominence to its history, as evident in Liverpool’s waterfront. Visitors are greeted by a mix of old and new architecture such as the Royal Liver Building, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the range of listed buildings based at Albert Dock. It’s also famous as home of The Beatles.
Ideal car
Economy
Central Liverpool is pretty hard to get around in something like an estate car or off-roader. A small car will make it easier to negotiate traffic jams and drive through many of the suburbs.
Driving in Liverpool
Road Driving Side
Urban Speed Limit
Rural Speed Limit
Motorway Speed Limit
Important things to note
If you want to cross the river Mersey and drive to the Wirral, you need to pay when entering the Kingsway or Queensway tunnels. It cost £1.60 for a single journey.
Liverpool is at the end of the M62, although it can be a little jammed during rush hours. Between 10am-3pm, the main motorways and dual carriageways are fine.
Liverpool’s main tourist information offices are at the Airport, St George’s Hall and in the Anchor courtyard on Albert Dock.
Highlights & Hotspots
The World Museum Liverpool on William Brown St. is the best place to go and learn about the city’s role in the world. It’s also home to the largest range of ancient Egyptian artefacts in the UK outside of London, not to mention examples of British rocketry.
A stroll around Albert Dock will give you further insight into Liverpool’s maritime history. As well as looking at some amazing examples of architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries, you can also visit the Merseyside Maritime Museum, which has free admission.
Also on Albert Dock is The Beatles Story, a museum dedicated to the city’s most famous sons. The museum features everything related to John, Paul, George and Ringo including their instruments, posters and records. There are other attractions dedicated to the Fab Four across Liverpool.
Football forms a major part of the city’s fabric. Liverpool FC, who play at Anfield Stadium and Everton, who play at Goodison Park, are two of England’s best teams. They have an intense rivalry which makes for great derbies, which happen at least twice a year.
Airport Information
Liverpool John Lennon Airport is 7.5 miles southeast of the city centre near the suburb of Speke. Roughly 4.5 million passengers are served here, while there is one main terminal building. Flights are available to other parts of the UK and Europe.
The airport is accessible by car via Speke Hall Ave, which goes onto the A561 Speke Road. This road goes towards central Liverpool in a northwest direction and towards the M57 and M62 eastbound.