Mathew Street | Postcards From Here and There

15 Things to do in Liverpool

Liverpool has so much to offer the visitor and it is easy to see why it is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination. The city has a rich heritage and visitors will not be short of things to see or do. In this post I examine the tourist attractions in and around the city centre, most of which are within walking distance of each other.

Take a Ferry Across The Mersey. There has been a ferry crossing the River Mersey for over 800 years and the peak they were carrying millions of mainly commuters a year. Those days are long gone but the ferry does still run a commuter service in the morning and late afternoon but for the rest of the day it offers river cruises starting from 10am. Local band Gerry and the Pacemakers immortalised the crossing in their 1964 hit single Ferry Cross The Mersey.

The Waterfront at Pier Head. The Liverpool waterfront is world famous and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Consisting of the three graces, The Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and The Port of Liverpool Building, it is an imposing and magnificent site. One can only wonder how Liverpool sailors must have felt entering The Mersey after months at sea to be greeted by such iconic landmarks.

The Museum of Liverpool. Telling the story of Liverpool and its people its a great way to get to know some of the history of the city that isn’t always covered in the travel guides. Currently housing the John and Yoko Lennon Double Fantasy exhibition until 22nd April 2019.

The Royal Albert Dock. When it was built in 1846 it revolutionised dockside wharehouse design. It was the first of its type to contain no wooden timbers as part of its structure thus reducing the risk of catastrophic fires. The dock was one of the first regeneration projects in the city in the 1980s and it quickly became a tourist destination with its numerous cafés, shops and restaurants. Today it is also home to some of the cities best museums.

The Merseyside Maritime Museum. A museum dedicated to the historical importance of the sea to the city. Not only was it a major shipping port but it was also the point of embarkation for those seeking a new life overseas.. There is much to admire here including The Titanic and Liverpool exhibition which tells the story of the close association between the two.

Tate Liverpool. Located in the Albert Dock it is the home of modern and contemporary art. Since it opened in 1988 it has hosted many exhibitions of internationally renowned artists. It is always worth checking what’s on at the Tate when in the city. The galleries afford some excellent view over the river Mersey.

The Beatles Story. You cannot come to Liverpool and not do something Beatles related while here. There is much to see in and around the city and this is a good place to start for those that want to find out more about the history of “four lads that shook the world” back in the 1960s. See a recreation of the Cavern Club to experience what it was like back in those heady days.

Find Liverpools Musical Statues. If The Beatles Story has whet your appetite then why not seek out the musical statues around the city that celebrate Liverpool’s music history. as well as The Beatles you can discover Billy Fury, Cilla Black and Ken Dodd. You can even have a photo taken sat alongside Eleanor Rigby.

Mathew Street and The Cavern. No visit to Liverpool would be complete without a visit to Mathew Street, home of the Cavern Club. There is a lot packed in to to such a short street including statues, the wall of fame and the site of Erics club which did much for the local bands that came after The Beatles such as Echo & the Bunneymen and The Teardrop Explodes. You can visit the Cavern and catch some live music, sadly it’s not the original but has been lovingly reconstructed. There are often buskers performing in the street, Beatles songs naturally.

Bold Street. There are plenty of shopping opportunities in Liverpool including the huge Liverpool One complex. If, however, you are looking for something a little different then head to Bold Street in the Ropewalks area of the city. Here you will find many independent retailers, cafés and restaurants. It is fast becoming the beating heart of the city.

Liverpool Cathedrals. There aren’t many cities that can boast two impressive cathedrals. Liverpool can and they are separated by the appropriately named Hope Street. They couldn’t be anymore different. The Anglican Cathedral, built in the Gothic style took over seventy years to build. The Metropolitan Cathedral, known affectionately as “Paddy’s Wigwam” by the Liverpudlians, was opened in 1967.

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral

The Philharmonic Dining Rooms. Conveniently located half way along Hope Street it is a good place for a refreshment break while in this part of town. Don’t let the name fool you, the Phil is a pub. It was here that Paul McCartney made a surprise appearance as part of the filming of Carpool Karaoke with James Corden.Perhaps best known for ornate gents toilets, made from rose coloured marble. They are grade 1 listed such is their importance, a higher grading than the building in which they are housed.

The Bombed Out Church. The church of St Luke as it is officially know is located on the corner of Leece Street and Berry Street. The church was hit by an incendiary bomb on 6th May 1941, destroying all but the retaining walls. It was left as a memorial to those that died in the Liverpool Blitz.

Chinatown. A short walk along Berry Street from St Lukes and you enter Chinatown, home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe.There are records showing that Chinese immigrants were here as long ago as 1834 and grew businesses including restaurants and supermarkets. The arch at the top of Nelson Street was opened on Chinese New Year in 2000 and it is a magnificent structure, built by craftsmen from Shanghai.

Eat Scouse. Scouse was originally the food of the workers and seafarers of Liverpool but can still be found today in some of the city’s pubs, café and restaurants. Made from either beef or lamb along with vegetables it is a heartwarming stew, ideal to power you through sightseeing. Blind Scouse doesn’t have any meat in it. The exact recipe varies a little but don’t suggest something new, a recent suggestion of adding parsnips didnt go down very well with connoisseurs. The Ship and Mite on Dale Street and Maggie Mays Cafe on Bold Street are just two places that you can try it as it should be made.

Liverpool and The Beatles

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 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

Beatles Magical Mystery Tour – Bus/coach

Liverpool Beatles Tours – minibus

Fab Four Taxi Tours – Black cab

A Stroll Down Mathew Street Liverpool

Along with Penny Lane, Mathew Street is one of the most well known of Liverpool streets. Mathew Street is really a narrow, now pedestrianised, lane that runs between North John Street and Stanley Street. Its history lies in the fruit and vegetable trade though much evidence of that has long since gone.

Mathew Street is now principally known for The Cavern Club (number 10 Mathew Street) and The Beatles and much of what goes on in the street today reflects this. 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. Tourists from all over the world travel to Liverpool to experience Mathew Street and The Cavern.

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. One can only wonder what was in the mind of the city council when agreeing to the demolition of such a city treasure.

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 h 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.

Opposite The Cavern is the statue of John Lennon and The Cavern Wall of Fame.

For a statue of the Fab Four themselves you will have to visit the nearby Pier Head. The wall of fame represents all the bands and artists that have played at The Cavern Club.

The statue of Cilla Black is a relatively recent addition to the street being unveiled in January 2017. It stands outside what would have been the original entrance to The Cavern. There is also a photograph to commemorate this fact on the wall behind.

On the opposite side of the street (number 9) is the site of Eric’s club. Opened in the autumn of 1976 it ran for only four short years but its influence is immeasurable. In its short life it was a stage to some of the most important bands of the punk era. In its own way its was to the punk generation of the 70s what the Cavern was to the Beat Generation of the 60s.

Eric’s Live can now be found in the same location as the original club.

At number 18 Mathew Street stands the bar Flanagans Apple. In the early 1980s it was the home of The Armadillo Tea Rooms. Along with Erics and the nearby Probe Records, which was then located on Button Street, it was an integral part of the alternative Liverpool scene. Much missed, it was the place for good food with a great atmosphere and a rocking horse in the corner. It is the one part of the Liverpool scene it the time that has sadly not been recreated. On the wall of number 18 is the statue of the renowned psychologist C.G. Jung.

Much debated as to whether he ever visited the city at all, it remains an integral part of the street. The statue there now is a replacement of the original which was vandalised.

Every street needs a pub and Mathew Street is no exception. At number 25 is The Grapes. Probably frequented by many of the local musicians that have played at the local venues.

So much of the musical history of Liverpool and the UK is to be be found in this short unassuming street. Get there early and avoid the crowds or conversely get there late and join in the well renown night life.