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The university City of Lancaster, and ancient house of the Plantagenet Kings of England, has a great deal to offer the tourist. The Priory Church, the Judge's House and Lancaster Castle are just a few amongst Lancaster's many museums and memorials. By car, the trip takes about three-quarters of an hour by Motorway: exit Manchester centre via Salford and the M602, take the M61 junction signposted "Preston" andfollow signs for Preston until joins the M6 Motorway northbound. Continue past Blackpool and Morecambe. Lancaster is well signposted and can be seen on approach by the white dome of the Ashton Memorial.

Photo: Ashton Memorial, Williamson Park, Lancaster. Courtesy of www.webbaviation.co.uk © 2005

A major attraction in the city is Williamson Park. This is a delightfully tranquil place of more than 40 acres of beautiful parkland and children's play areas, for entertainment, strolling and generally taking the opportunity for relaxation. It is dominated by the white Ashton Memorial, whose white dome can be seen for many miles around the Lancashire countryside and marks the city's approach from the M6 Motorway like a guiding beacon. Also in Williamson Park is the Butterfly House, which houses many exotic and tropical species which are free to fly around amidst its beautiful trees and plants. The park also contains a Conservation Garden, wildlife pool and the Mini Beast House. There is also a free-flying Foreign Bird Enclosure.
The Ashton Memorial itself is an Edwardian folly, built for the sheer pleasure it might give, and is situated in the heart of the park. You may also like to visit the Pavilion Tearoom and Souvenir Shop.

Another interesting visit is Lancaster Castle, which is one of the best preserved working castles in the country. It is still used as a law court and a prison. The castle is open to the public from Good Friday to the end of October, from 10.00am to 4.00pm, unless there is a Court in sitting ; would-be visitors would be advised to telephone 01524-64998 beforehand to check. The City of Lancaster has many fine buildings and Museums open to the public, and hosts a whole series of historically themed events. Contact : The Marketing Officer, Lancaster Tourism, 29 Castle Hill, Lancaster LA1 1YN. Tel: 01524-582902

Liverpool

Liverpool - the Liver Building & the Mersey Ferry Terminal. Aerial Photograph Courtesy of www.webbaviation.co.uk © 2005

Situated at the end of the M62 Motorway, about 40 miles and under one hour's drive from Manchester City Centre, the City of Liverpool makes for a contrasting, interesting one day trip from Manchester.

The Liver Building from across the Mersey and the Two Cathedrals

Liverpool History

Liverpool takes its name from the original mile long inlet from the River Mersey, (the "Pool"), which once existed there. It was filled in the 18th century and the entrance to the Mersey Tunnel marks its original site. The term "Liver" has 2 possible explanations. One, the old English word "Liefer" meaning 'thick' - a reference to the mud which abounded around the Pool, or an alternative explanation is "Lithe", the old Danish word meaning an inlet by a marsh. Either way, the city's origins lie in the fact that it sprang up around a muddy inlet on the Mersey. In historical terms, Liverpool is not an old city - there is no reference made to it in the Domesday Book, and the first record of the name "Liuepul" is in documents of 1192 belonging to John, Count of Mortain, later King John, to whom the lands of Liverpool were granted. It has much to offer the tourist .

The Albert Docks in Liverpool

The massive fully restored Albert Docks are possible the best first port of call, and they make a good base from which to explore the city, as they are well signposted and there is extensive free parking. Many visitors find a whole day's worth at the Docks alone, with its many attractions, including the Liverpool Tate Gallery (entry free), the Maritime Museum and "The Beatles Experience". The latter is a full multimedia experience of the life and works of Liverpool's most celebrated pop stars, and it is a mecca for Beatles fans.

The Albert Docks, designed by the engineer Jessie Hartley, were opened by Prince Albert, after whom they were named, on 30 July 1846. It covers about 73/4 acres and has 5 massive warehouses providing 1.3 million square feet of floor space. The whole dock complex bustles with life and energy, with its various original storage sheds and wharves now crammed with a profusion of shops offering souvenirs, books and mementoes of the city. There are several fully licenced restaurants of various ethnic types on site, as well as a good selection of small cafés, snack bars, pubs and teashops. Several public conveniences. The Docks are largely covered and therefore popular on wet days in the city.

The Liverpool Maritime Museum

The Maritime Museum is a large and impressive restoration of a large warehouse, dedicated to the maritime history of Liverpool, with its own restaurant and shops. An entry charge is payable, but well worth it if you are stimulated by sailing ships and the sea. The collection includes many scale models of sailing vessels of all types from the earliest wooden ships to massive steel liners of the Cunard lines. Permanent exhibitions deal with the slave trade and with emigration to the new world - each illustrated by full audio-visual technology. There is a full restaurant available within the Museum.

Liverpool's Two Cathedrals

Also worth visiting are Liverpool's 2 cathedrals - the Neo-Gothic Anglican and the modern Metropolitan Catholic Cathedral of Christ the King, which stand high on the hill overlooking the city and the River Mersey, and connected by Hope Street.

Galleries

Liverpool's many other tourist attractions include the Tate Gallery, the Walker Art Gallery, the Bluecoat Galleries, the Museum of Liverpool Life, the Royal Liver Building Tours, and the Liverpool Museum itself. Information can be obtained from Tourist Information Centres which are found at the end of this entry.

Ferries Across the Mersey

Perhaps no visit to Liverpool would be complete without a ride on the inimitable Mersey Ferry, Round trip heritage ferry crossings to Birkenhead across the Mersey on the Wirral Peninsula sail twice-hourly, and there are recorded commentaries to describe and explain the spectacular waterfront views encountered on the trip.

The Cavern Club & the Beatles

A visit to the Cavern Night Club, the famed starting place of the Beatles, is another understandably popular venue for tourists to Liverpool. The Cavern Club was reopened in 1984, and restored to its original style and character, still generates all the dynamic musical energy of its heyday in the 1960s. There are discos and a full programme of live music on offer - open Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Telephone : 0151-236 9091 for current details. There is also a Beatles Magical Mystery Tour bus, which visits Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields. Advance booking available by telephoning 0151-709 3631. There is also a Cavern Pub nearby which serves food and drink all day.

Merseyside Wanderers

A club which keeps ex-Merseysiders in touch with what's happening at home. Enrol as a member and receive regular issues of the Liverpool International Echo. For information Tel : 0151-709 2444.

Tourist Information Centres

Mersey Tourist Information
24 hour hotline Tel : 0151-708 8838.

Merseyside Welcome Centre
Clayton Square Shopping Centre, Liverpool L1. Tel : 0151-708 8838 (24hr)
or Tel : 0151-709 3631 (afternoons only)

Tourist Information Centre
Atlantic Pavilion, Albert Dock, Liverpool L3. Tel : 0151-708 8854 (afternoons only)

Internet

There is a full information service about Liverpool and Merseyside on the Internet at the following address : http://www.connect.org.uk/ merseyworld/tourism.
Email Merseyside Tourism & Conference Bureau: tourism@mail.cybase.co.uk

See Also: Tours of Liverpool

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