Liverpool’s waterside attractions

If you’re considering a few days away, whether it be a romantic break, a family escape or a chance to catch up with old friends, Liverpool can tick all of your boxes. World class food, unique museums and exciting attractions combine with the city’s colourful cultural scene to create an unforgettable experience.

The canals and docks of Liverpool have been instrumental in establishing the city’s reputation the world over, with much of its famous charm attributed to the waterside buildings, which now enjoy UNESCO World Heritage status. Today the canals enjoy just as much prominence in every day life as they ever have done and in 2009 the Liverpool Canal Link was opened to boaters, bringing the canal right into the heart of the city.

Liverpool boasts more Grade II listed buildings that any other UK city outside London, making its streets highly explorable. If you prefer to have more of an aim to your wandering, you’ll be pleased to know that Liverpool has more museums and galleries than any other British city (ignoring London). Many of these museums have sprung up around the city’s docks and most have very unique selling points.

We’ve put together a number of attractions suitable for all the family with a canal or river connection. If you have a favourite that we’ve missed out, please let get in touch by emailing feedback@waterscape.com.

Underwater Street
Underwater Street, Liverpool’s Discovery Centre for children, is the perfect way to entertain children aged two to ten. The centre is comprised of six activity zones, with highlights including a climbing wall, a real car to paint, and the Imagination Village where children can dress up and get to work in the centre’s shops. Located on the River Mersey, the centre is open from 10am to 5pm every day during the summer holidays and 10am to 6pm at weekends.

The Echo Wheel
The Echo Wheel is Liverpool’s answer to the London Eye. At 60 metres high, the view from each ‘gondola’ takes in the city’s famous waterfront, River Mersey and stretches as far as the Welsh mountains. It’s a great way to get some perspective on the city’s layout when you first arrive. If you do want to take a trip on the wheel you’ll need to get a wriggle on, as it’s due to be taken down in February 2011. For more information and to book tickets visit www.echoarena.com.

Liverpool ONE
The £1 billion Liverpool ONE retail and leisure complex sitting alongside the Albert Dock provides a shopping experience not to be rivalled. Spread out over 1.65 million sq ft, the centre contains 160 shops, more than 30 restaurants, bars and cafes, a 14-screen cinema and a five-acre park it’s the place to head for some retail therapy.

The BugWorld Experience
The BugWorld Experience opened up in Albert Dock in July 2009. The only ‘insect zoo’ in the country, themed areas from around the world give visitors the chance to see life from a bug’s perspective. Rare and deadly species are one of the centre’s specialities with Death Stalker Scorpions, Giant Centipedes, Assassin Bugs and the highly-endangered Gooty Sapphire Tarantula on show. If you’re brave enough you can even get physical with the creepy crawlies.

The Old Dock
Nestled away underneath the Liverpool ONE, within walking distance from Albert Dock, is The Old Dock, which played a key role in the city’s maritime history. The Old Dock is the world’s first commercial enclosed wet dock, which opened to the public in May this year. The dock has been carefully excavated and preserved, and for the first time since 1826, the bed of the Pool – the creek which gave Liverpool its name – can be seen. Tours are free but must be pre-booked. Call 0151 478 4296 to reserve a place.

The Yellow Duckmarine
The Yellow Duckmarine is a truly unique way to experience the sights of Liverpool. The amphibious vehicle takes you on an hour-long road trip along the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Waterfront before it drives straight into Salthouse Dock. The tour then takes a route around Wapping, Queens Docks and Coburg Dock emerging from the water in front of the Albert Dock buildings. For more information and booking visit www.theyellowduckmarine.co.uk.

Mersey Tunnel Tour
The Queensway Tunnel, which travels under the River Mersey to connect Birkenhead and Liverpool, can now be accessed on an underground tour, which lasts for two to three hours. Walking beneath the city’s roads is a rare treat. Visitors will be able to find out how the tunnel was constructed, see the ventilation shafts and visit the control room, where air quality is constantly being monitored. For more information and booking call 0151 330 4504 or email tours@merseytravel.gov.uk.

Spaceport
Spaceport at Seacombe can be reached by taking the Mersey Ferry from Pier Head and is a great way to spend a couple of hours. The centre, a £10 million attraction themed around space travel and exploration, has six differently themed galleries taking visitors on a journey through space. With a mixture of hands-on exhibits and visual attractions including a planetarium dome show, it’s definitely the place for budding astronauts. This year the centre is also playing host to a special Wallace and Gromit exhibition. For more information visit www.spaceport.org.uk

Last updated: 30/11/2010