LIVERPOOL CLUBS (FREE ENTRY)

The Cavern Club

The Beatles made their first lunchtime appearance at the famous Cavern Club on Tuesday 21 February 1961. From 1961 to 1963 The Beatles made 292 appearances at the club, with their last occurring on 3 August 1963, a month after the band recorded "She Loves You". 

The Cavern Club is still open as one of the UK's most famous venues. It has around 40 live bands performing every week; both tribute and original bands, although the majority perform their own material. The front room of the Cavern is the main tourist attraction, where people come to have their photograph taken on the famous Cavern stage, with the names of the bands who played there written on the back wall.

THINGS TO DO FOR FREE IN LIVERPOOL

There are so many places of interest, trendy clubs and events in Liverpool that are free entry that you can plan your visit here in advance and get the most out of your vacation.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Ever heard the saying 'Every great city has a cathedral'? Well Liverpool has two of them, both dating from the 20th Century.  Here's a little known fact: the Anglican Cathedral was designed by a Roman Catholic and The Roman  Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral (affectionately known as 'Paddy's Wigwam') was built by a protestant. 

Liverpool Anglican Cathedral 

This is one of the great buildings of the twentieth century. It has one of the longest knaves, largest organs and heaviest and highest peals of bells in the world. The massive tower stands over the city as a symbol of faith in God. Sir Giles Gilbert Scott won an architectural competition to build the Anglican Cathedral, justifying his reputation as one of the world's great architects. Photograph by http://www.colour-splash.com/ 

The Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King

The cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Liverpool. This stunning piece of architecture incorporates the largest panel of stained glass in the world.  Due to two abandoned commissions, a worldwide competition was held to design the cathedral, Frederick Gibberd came up with the winning design.

THE ALBERT DOCK

The prestigious Albert Dock is Liverpool's main tourist attraction for a host of reasons.  It offers a unique blend of culture, cuisine, shopping and entertainment.  Engineer and architect Jesse Hartley designed the 1.25 million square feet complex which is the largest group of Grade I listed buildings in the UK.  Prince Albert officially opened the dock on 30th July 1846.

The Albert Dock accommodated the most advanced sailing vessels of that era, but unfortunately only thrived for around 50 years as it simply couldn't handle the quantity of larger iron and steel steamships.  As a result of this, only 7% of ships docking in Liverpool were sailing ships; and by 1920 there was practically no commercial shipping activity.  The Albert Dock finally closed in 1972 after decades of disuse.

A newly formed Albert Dock Company and the Merseyside Development Corporation signed an agreement in September 1983, enabling the regeneration of the Dock to begin.  The first phase was completed just in time for the arrival of the Tall Ships Race in 1984.  HRH Prince Charles officially re-opened the Albert Dock on 24th May 1988.

Photography by: http://www.colour-splash.com/

On average, about 4 million people visit the Albert Dock each year, visiting the Tate gallery, the Beatles Story, Merseyside Maritime Museum, the International Slavery Museum, Bugworld Experience, Shiverpool Ghost Tours and the Yellow Duckmarine.