The Baltic Triangle is to be found about a 20 minute walk from Liverpool city centre. It is not blessed with great public transport but a taxi from the city centre should cost less than £5. In the heyday of Liverpool as a shipping port this area was awash with warehouses, some of which remain today. Clearance and redevelopment has now resulted in the variety of architectural styles. It is very much an area of contrasts from the modern to Victorian to derelict. Its what makes it such an interesting area and a perfect backdrop for street art.
Much of the art that can be viewed today can be found on the streets around Jamaica Street including; Greenland, Newhall, Cramp, New Brick and Jordan Streets.
The old skateboard park on Jamaica Street is perhaps the most obvious example but is a large number of works in a small area. Further along Jamaica Street is Paul Curtis’s work of Liver Bird wings
The Liver Bird is the symbol of the city and can be found atop of the Liver Building at the Pier Head. The Liver Birds. The Liver Birds was a TV comedy in the 1970s set in the city and featuring the life of two local women sharing a flat together, hence the dedication!
Its interactive art as you can become the none to wear the wings. There is even a crown to rest on your head as you stand between the wings.
There area number of other pieces on the same stretch of wall.
Street Art is an opportunity to make a point and here the piece makes reference to Banksy pieces which are taken down and sold for large sums. Nearby is a piece by Irony.
The piece by Dime can be found on New. Bird Street. An octopus holding a yellow submarine!
Greenland Street and the side streets from it are awash with street art. Many of the pieces were created as part of the Liverpool Mural Festival that was held in April 2018 and featured local and International artists.
Perhaps the most striking is the large work by StineHvid
At the far end of Greenland Street is Crump Street. It is easily missed as there is nothing much around here and it leads only to the busy Parliament Street. It is however a treasure trove of street art from the Mural Festival.
EktoHarry BonesSter
Peal
Peal
Turning right from the end of Crump Street onto Parliament Street will bring you to the Stephen Hawking piece by Manchester artist Akse.
As with all street art it is a developing scene and by its very nature evolving. A return visit in twelve months or so will be something to look forward to.
It’s International Beatles Week from 22nd – 28th August with numerous events planned in their hometown of Liverpool. In light of this I thought I’d share a post highlighting some of the Beatles related locations that can be found in and around the city.
Liverpool and The Beatles are still inexorably entangled despite their last performance in the city being in December 1965, over 50 years ago. The Beatles came from Liverpool and it hasn’t been forgotten in the intervening years, they are as much a part of the city today as they were in their heyday in the sixties. The result is that there is much to see and do and a Beatles tour is time well spent.
In the city centre.
Pier Head Statue
Andy Edwards statue of the Fab Four was donated to the city by the Cavern Club in 2015 to commemorate 50 years since their last appearance in the city, which was at The Empire Theatre on Lime Street in 1965.
The Beatles Story – Albert Dock
This is a museum devoted to all things Beatles set in the historic Albert Dock. An experience that is really well done with recreations of some of the iconic locations associated with the Fab Four. You can visit the website here
John Lennon -Mathew Street
Made by Liverpool artist Arthur Dooley the statue of John Lennon is one of the oldest ‘musical’ statues in the city.
Four Lads Who Shook The World – Mathew Street
Also by Arthur Dooley this was moved from its original position opposite The Grapes to be next to the Lennon statue.
The Cavern – Mathew Street
The club itself first opened its doors as a jazz club in 1957 but will always be remembered for the nearly 300 appearances The Beatles made in the early sixties.
The original club closed in 1973 following the sale of the building and its proposed demolition to make way for a ventilation shaft for the new Merseyrail underground railway. The shaft was never built and the site became a car park for a short while.
The Cavern was rebuilt in 1984. Plans to redevelop the original site were shelved when it was discovered that the demolition of the building had caused damage to the underground cellars in which The Cavern were housed. As a result fifteen hundred bricks from the original Cavern were used to recreate the new Cavern. It is today one of Liverpools top tourist attractions.
Eleanor Rigby Statue – Stanley Street
Eleanor Rigby was a song on The Beatles album Revolver as well as a number one single in 1966. The sculpture was made by Tommy Steele in 1982 in recognition of the work of The Beatles and their place in the city.
The Jacaranda – Slater Street
The Jacaranda was opened as a coffee bar in 1958 by Allan Williams who was later to become The Beatles first manager. The band made several appearances here in their early days.
The Blue Angel – Seel Street
Once owned by Allan Williams and a venue played by The Beatles in their early days. The Blue Angel is steeped in rock history as many other important rock acts played here in the 1960s including Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones. it is also known locally as The Raz.
Number 4 Rodney Street
The birth place of Brian Epstein, manager of The Beatles from 1962 until his untimely death in 1967.The importance of Epstein in the career of The Beatles can not be underestimated. A small plaque on the wall commemorates his birth here.
Outside the city centre
Penny Lane
It is the junction of Penny Lane where it meets Smithdown Road and Allerton Road that is of the most interest to Beatles fans. In the 60’s it was the location of a bus terminus, the bus shelter is now a bistro. The barbers shop is still there but the fire station is actually a little further along Allerton Road. Nevertheless it is so closely associated with The Beatles song that it is still such a great location to visit.
Mendips – 251 Menlove Avenue
Mendips was the childhood home of John Lennon. He lived here with his aunt Mimi from 1946 until 1963. The house was bought by Yoko Ono in 2002 and donated to The National Trust who now manage visits here and Paul McCartneys former home in Forthlin Road. The house has been restored to how it would have been in the 1950s. Visits need to be pre booked through the National Trust website
20 Forthlin Road
Paul McCartney’s family home from 1955 until the mid 1960s. Owned and managed by The National Trust visits are part to the same ticket to visit Mendips. Unlike Mendips there is no blue plaque here as Paul is still very much alive.
Strawberry Field – Beaconsfield Road
Strawberry Fields Forever was a double A sided single along with Penny Lane and are probably the best Beatles singles that failed to reach number 1 in the UK charts. Strawberry Field was a Salvation Army children’s home close to John Lennon’s childhood home at Mendips, it had a special significance to him and he visited often in his youth though he was largely uninvited! Not much exists today and building work has recently begun to create a visitors centre and a training centre for your people with learning difficulties.
Eleanor Rigby’s Grave – St Peter’s Parish Church, Woolton
Although the song was recorded in 1966 the grave was not discovered in the churchyard until some twenty years later. John Lennon and Paul McCartney first met at the church fete here in 1957 so it is perhaps likely that McCartney came across the grave some time after this. The name lay dormant until he wrote the song but didn’t, at that time, recall where the name came from.
For those wishing a formal tour complete with commentary there are a number of options available. I list a few here but it is by no means a recommendation as I haven’t tried them
The walled city of Chester in the North West of the United Kingdom is  a perfect destination for a day out. Whatsmore many activities in the city can be done for free. The city itself is relatively compact and this makes it ideal for walking and this of course is a great way to take in everything that this wonderful, historic city has to offer.
Walk the City Walls –Â the origin of the wall dates back to Roman times when they were designed as part of the fortifications of the city. Although modified in the following centuries the wall is almost a complete circle around what was the medieval city boundary. At almost two miles in length a circuit of the walls can be completed in an hour, allowing for a gentle stroll and a few stops for photographs. The busiest section is that around Eastgate where there is also the famous Eastgate Clock.
For much of the rest of the walk you may well be largely on your own depending on the time of year. The walk affords excellent views of the amphitheatre, the River Dee, The Roodee racecourse and Chester Cathedral.
Walk The Rows
The Rows are a series of covered walkways on the main streets which are at the first floor level and give access to a further set of shops. They have existed in Chester since medieval times and are unique to Chester. They are to be found on the four streets that run out from Chester Cross in the centre of the city.
The Town Crier – proclamations are read by the city’s town crier at midday from Tuesday to Saturday in the summer months. At the Chester Cross in the centre of the city
Chester Cathedral – built of red sandstone in the gothic style the cathedral is an imposing structure in the centre of the city. Entry is free but they do suggest voluntary contribution of £4
It is also possible to visit the cathedral gardens where you can see a collection of birds of prey and even watch a display of them in flight. There is however a cost for this of £5 per adult and £4 per child. The entrance to the gardens is b y the city wall.
Roman Amphitheatre – the largest Roman Amphitheatre excavated in the UK and dating back to the first century it is an imposing piece of history surrounded as it is by modern day traffic. Only part of the original structure is visible, the remainder being under buildings, but it is enough to give you sense of the place which was big enough to hold up to seven thousand people.
The River Dee – The Groves is a paved walkway on the bank of the river and is only a short walk from the Amphitheatre and City Walls.
It is a pleasant area and well worth a stop on your tour of the city. From here it is possible to take a river cruise up river or cross the pedestrian bridge to explore Chester Meadows, an area of grassland on the south bank.
