Wed. Nov 13th, 2024

Not been back to Liverpool, where I was born, for many years. www.visitliverpool.com

Three of us, and two dogs, stayed in an AirbnB Gorgeous Home. Free Parking. Walk Everywhere in Georgian Quarter, which is around Liverpool University and between the two cathedrals. (I was always amused that the street linking Anglican and Catholic cathedrals is called “Hope Street”). We had the top floor to ourselves in this beatiful home. A four part BBC2 programme “A House Through Time” was based in Falkner Street and we were a few doors away in Georgian architecture that Hitler had not destroyed as was most of the city in 1941.

Our smashing Australian host, Chris, explained the recent popularity of the area and filming at his place next month for Amazon Prime. It is a beautiful area, and listed buildings all around.

We had the dogs with us, and walked them in St James Gardens, which is the valley around the magnificent Anglican Cathedral. They quarried the stone there to make the cathedral. There is a spring and much history, including “promenade ramps” for funeral processions years ago.

The University had expanded throughout the area, and down towards town another University, John Moores, has added to the “Education Quarter”. So much has developed in the area, and thankfully, mostly in taseful architecture. Lots of restaurants to enjoy. Not many advertise being “dog friendly”, yet many are. We went to Philharmonic pub (Philharmonic Dining Rooms) where James Corden and Sir Paul McCartney had a “secret gig” in June 2018. They had good pub food and were dog friendly. The staff were so very friendly, although you can say that of all the people we met. The Quarter Italian restaurant was recommended by our hosts, and was dog friendly. Superb food and great staff.

Beach and Gormley Statues

The dogs needed a good run so we headed to the beach out in Crosby, famous for Gormley Statues“Another Place”  (photo c Sefton Council) where they ran on the beautiful sand, then ran back to the iron statues wondering who they were. Good fun. The drive from where we stayed took us along the iconic waterfront before hitting the less beautiful dock road then to Waterloo and Crosby suburbs. Easy enough journey. The cruise ships come in at the Pier Head and it is busy around the Beatles statues for photos and then to Cavern, etc. It is so vibrant around there and the Albert Dock, it is easy to spend days just there. It is also a city of parks with Sefton Park not far out of town, on the way to Penny Lane.

Liverpool Shopping

Lots of shops and the big centre at Liverpool One. Scouse humour has the Everton shop in there call “Everton Two” so the address reads Everton 2, Liverpool 1. There are major shops, shopping centres, markets, etc. as there has always been in Liverpool. The whole area is famous for the night life of pubs, bars and clubs. It is the friendliness that really sells it. Our host Chris relayed some anecdotes of how warm the people have been to him a stranger to the city.

So Much More

The city has boomed as a tourist location and no wonder as there is so much to do and see. Cultural capital, birthplace of The Beatles and UNESCO world heritage site, Liverpool has world-class attractions, a proud sporting history and beautiful outdoor spaces – making it the perfect location for a UK city break. Most of all, it’s the people. Friendly and full of fun. That’s never changed.

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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