Liverpool
Rich History.
We chose Liverpool for its unique culture linked to its history, and we were not disappointed. The Cultural Quarter is partly what draws the cruise liners in, no doubt. Around that are some wonderfully preserved pubs.
We chose Liverpool for its unique culture linked to its history, and we were not disappointed. The Cultural Quarter is partly what draws the cruise liners in, no doubt. Around that are some wonderfully preserved pubs.
There are two architectural feasts to Liverpool. Firstly, there is the Cultural Quarter. Secondly there is the waterfront. But it is a must to walk some of the streets in between and marvel at the grandeur of the buildings flanking the wide avenues.
The “Cultural Quarter” contains one of the most impressive clusters of Neo-Classical buildings in the world including a Parisien style palace. In amongst it all is the The Wellington Column – Liverpool’s answer to Nelson’s Column in London.
In the cultural quarter are three major buildings – The Walker Art Gallery, the Central Library and the Picton Reading Room. Surprisingly, the library inside is a modern martpiece with a spiralling atrium up to four floors, and a “Discover” room in the form of an ampitheatre – worth a visit on its own. Easily overlooked but equally demanding of a visit is The Picton Reading Room. A place of contemplation and quiet it has a circular design not unlike the ,British Museum’s reading room and is a masterpiece of Victorian wood and book-lined walls.
Further along is the World Museum Liverpool. Whilst none of these stand out individually, as a collection of buildings their symmetry is simply outstanding together. Having been directly hit by a bomb during the Liverpool blitz in 1941 the inside was given a modern interior – open in the middle but a little claustrophobic in the rooms. Thankfully, the facade was preserved. The individual displays are disappointing at times (the rather lacking planetarium) with notable features (the Mummies).
St. George’s Hall
The centrepiece of the cultural quarter is the Walker Art Gallery. It’s widely considered one of the finest Neo-Classical buildings in the world. Although occasionally open it was closed foran event for us. Which is a shame as we wanted to view that Minton Tile Floor: made of over 30,000 Minton tiles. Because the floor is so delicate and valuable, it is kept covered by a protective wooden floor and only revealed to the public for a few weeks every year.
