About Liverpool

My Liverpool

Liverpool Links

Up the High Street

The Pool Of Life

Liverpool Pub Crawl

About liverpool

In 1207 King John granted the hamlet of Liverpool the privileges of a free borough. It remained an insignificant port town until the late 17th century, when the nearby port of Chester declined as a result of the silting of the River Dee. The growth of manufacturing in surrounding areas and the increase of trade with America and the West Indies caused Liverpool to thrive. Expansion of the harbour was necessary, and in 1715 the first wet dock in Great Britain was constructed here.In Victorian times the city began to thrive. In 1830 a railway was constructed between Liverpool and Manchester, and by the 1860s the city was the hub of an extensive rail network. During this period its population grew rapidly as numerous immigrants, chiefly from Ireland, settled here. Liverpool became the foremost British port for American trade and passenger service in the 19th century Relatively few of the existing buildings in Liverpool predate 1800. A notable exception is the town hall (1754). Other outstanding edifices include the neoclassical Saint George's Hall, (1854) described by Queen Victoria as 'worthy of Ancient Greece', the building contains concert halls, law courts, and exhibition rooms. The Gothic-style Anglican Cathedral (begun 1904, consecrated 1924) is one of the largest ecclesiastical structures in the world; and the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Christ the King (consecrated 1967), a striking example of modern architecture. Liverpool's cultural institutions include the Walker Art Gallery (1873), the Liverpool City Libraries (1852), and the Merseyside County Museum (1851). The city also has a symphony orchestra and several theatres. Among the educational institutions here are the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Hope Univesity College along with several research institutes. Because its port was strategic, Liverpool was heavily bombed by the Germans during World War II (1939-1945). By the late 1940s the cotton trade and the textile industry had declined dramatically. Although its exports (largely manufactured goods) have declined, it remains Great Britain's second most important seaport, after London, for traffic other than petroleum. Imports include grain and other foodstuffs, wood, nonferrous metals, and textile fibres Liverpool is also a passenger port for travel to Ireland. Manufactures include pharmaceuticals, electric equipment, refined sugar and flour, and rubber products. To augment Liverpool's extensive dock areas, important new facilities were constructed outside the city limits. Motor-vehicle manufacturing and oil refining are also located on the periphery of the metropolitan area. Liverpool is connected to the Wirral Peninsula across the Mersey by two motor-vehicle tunnels (1934, 1971) and a railway tunnel.

A view of the Albert Dock with the Pier Head and the famous Liver Building in the distance.

My liverpool

Liverpool was once seen as run down and a hive for crime and unemployment. If the recent fly on the wall documentary 'Mersey Blues' is to be believed this is still the case, however visitors to the city and the people who live here have a very different view of Liverpool to that as portrayed by the media
Like any other large city Liverpool has it's depressing areas. The last few years however have seen a real boost in the cities fortunes. The city centre is undergoing radical development. New hotels, shops and bars are emerging alongside famous buildings such as the Liver Building and St George's Hall. Areas once seen fit only for demolition are also now being redeveloped. The confident and vibrant feel to the city is evident in the number of students who have chosen Liverpool. The area is renowned for it's nightlife, (I am an expert in this particular area), the city boasting the world famous 'Cavern Club' alongside 'Cream' currently the most popular club in the UK.
Areas such as Bold Street and the Cavern Quarter are brimming with bars and cafe's and developments such as Queen Square are adding to the new feel of the city.
Although not treble winners both Liverpool and Everton are still premiership football teams who gather huge support and are still forces to be reckoned with.
My own support may be limited to visiting the pub and watching the odd game on the TV but thousands still visit Anfield and Goodison Park each week to watch their team play. The supporters may be rivals but at least can share a common dislike towards Manchester United.

Liverpool Links

A fantastic site which reveals what makes a true Scouser

Find out how Liverpool is planning its 800th birthday in Liver 2007

Visit the official Liverpool site which covers everything from the Cream to the cathedrals of Liverpool

If the Liverpool site does not give you that elusive information you wanted on Liverpool's architecture or nightlife try Merseyworld

You can also access Liverpool's daily newspaper and find out what Merseysiders consider top news in The Liverpool Echo

Be the first to find out about Liverpool's plans for change and new design with The Liverpool architecture and design trust

For the ultimate in Liverpool sites you must visit the best football team in the universeEverton FC

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Copyright © Kenneth Neil Pulford 2000