Liverpool Waterfront

252 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

5/5

Review type

Destination

Date of travel

July, 2018

Product name

Product country

Product city

Travelled with

Wife

Reasons for trip

There always seems to have been a variety in the buildings of the Waterfront. Old and new, whenever the new appeared, sat side by side like relatives with just enough family likeness to bear scrutiny. The Liver building and its neighbours are a case in point. So too are the Grade 1 listed dock buildings and their outrageous contemporary partners such as the Museum of Liverpool and Open Eye buildings.

We stayed close enough to Albert Dock to have a view of the Wheel, the Echo Arena and the Mersey, all three sparkling at sunset. There was even a flock of geese flying south, too quickly for a photograph.

The Museum tells the story we were to be reminded of later in the day, when visiting the Terracotta Warriors exhibition at the World Museum, that Liverpool had the earliest and for many years largest population of Chinese in the UK. That tie was a bargaining factor in the city being granted the Warriors exhibition.

Not only Chinese, of course, Liverpool hosted many nationalities while it was the foremost seaport in England: part of the museum is devoted to the ocean trade, exports as well as imports, with the Meccano company and its Hornby toys prominent.

There is also a section devoted, as everywhere currently, to the Great War centenary, including the industrial workers as well as military personnel who carried the burden. Recordings of those who lived through not only that war but the second and throughout the last century are powerful. The exhibition is rightly called “People’s Republic” and in some ways complements the exhibition curated by Yoko Ono of her and John Lennon’s attempts to persuade people to give peace a chance. Videos of their performances, press conferences and protests combine with newsreels of Vietnam, Martin Luther King, Kennedy and Johnson to great effect. Of course there are the still photos of the pair sleeping for peace as well as two of John’s guitars. A sculptural installation has two apples, one decaying, and some pips on pillars, recalling the Beatles’ Apple Corps label. It is both fun and provocative.

The Open Eye gallery was closed for a new exhibition to be installed. Appropriately this will be Chinese. I hope it wasn’t prophetic of Chinese financial power that the initial item is Stonehenge, as if to go with all the real estate they have already purchased. A small scale model was being danced on in Chinese style for a press photo shoot. Very dramatic it was too.

With so much to see and do the Waterfront is a challenge to any Silver Traveller’s stamina, and this one fared no better than he should. Tate Liverpool was beyond this visit, apart from a welcome glass of iced tea. Egon Schiele will be exhibited at the Royal Academy so nothing was missed there that can’t be regained later. There was also the delightful Bluecoat gallery in one of the architectural gems of any city or century, this year approached beneath an avenue of parasols installed by the Attention Deficit Disorder charity.

With so much on there was no more I could tell two polite students doing a survey for their GCSE about what attracted me to Liverpool than “everything”. They seemed as delighted as I was.

John.Pelling

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.