Liverpool wears its history proudly on its sleeve – from the maritime monuments of Albert Dock, to the musical memorabilia of the Cavern Quarter, where The Beatles played their first gig. But there’s so much more to this city than first meets the eye. Tours of the Mersey Tunnels venture deep into Liverpool’s subterranean transport system, to a hidden warren of passageways that even most locals haven’t set foot in. Meanwhile, Lutyens’ Crypt is a secret spiritual space – the underground origins of a grand uncompleted place of worship, an architectural gem set below the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.
Liverpudlians are renowned for their warmth and wit, which makes their guided tours all-the-more engaging. City Unscripted will match visitors with a local person, who’ll reveal the sights, restaurants and street art they’d never spot from a guidebook. The city has plenty of unusual walking tours, from ghost hunting jaunts with Shiverpool to craft beer crawls with Liverpool Brewery Tours and pirate-themed fun with Treasure Hunt Liverpool. But for something more energetic, try a Liverbirds 5km run: visitors will clock up the miles on a jogging tour of the city, stopping for history snippets and photos along the way. If they fancy something faster, join a bike trip with Liverpool Cycle Tours, or zoom through the docks at Liverpool Watersports Centre. As well as regular powerboats, board the Wheelyboat for a wheelchair accessible experience.
The long-awaited Shakespeare North Playhouse will open in Prescot this summer, revitalising the playwright’s works with state-of-the-art technology and leading actors. Also, look out for the River of Light Trail 2022 (21 October – 6 November), an illuminated art trail on Liverpool’s waterfront, featuring laser displays, interactive sculptures and dazzling light tunnels. At St George’s Hall, The History Whisperer is an immersive new tour, combining spoken-word storytelling with music and augmented reality – a cutting-edge way to explore one of Queen Victoria’s favourite concert halls.
Alternatively, embrace Liverpool’s strong cultural ties among the crumbling ruins of St Luke’s Church. Destroyed by bombs in the Second World War, it’s now been transformed into a unique theatre, hosting stand-up comedy, cinema, plays and concerts galore. To the north, around a 20-minute train ride from the city, is Crosby Beach, where Anthony Gormley’s ‘Another Place’ sculptures face poignantly out to sea. Alongside a welcome dose of fresh sea air, try stopping by at sunset for an eye-catching pic.