So Bristol and Brighton wish to stake a claim as the best city in the UK? Well you’ll have to get past us Scousers first! Recently voted the third best city to visit in the world by Rough Guides, Liverpool is on the up and here are a few reasons why…

1. It’s all about the music

Cream (Picture: Facebook)

We have a musical pedigree that is second to none. Whether it be the sound of 60s Merseybeat, the punk of Eric’s or the birth of superclubbing with Cream, Liverpool has been involved in some of the most important musical and cultural explosions since the birth of rock ‘n’ roll. That’s why we have more UK number ones than any other city and… a certain four lads who shook the world.



2. Giant events


Big stuff! (Picture: Jamie McAleny)

In 2008 we had a visit from La Princesse, a 50ft mechanical spider, which caused quite a stir after appearing unannounced as part of our European Capital of Culture year. In 2012 an estimated 1 million people flocked to the city and stood mesmerised as two giant marionettes and their faithful dog Xolo walked, jumped, slept and danced through the streets. This summer Liverpool will host the UK’s official flagship cultural commemoration of the First World War as street theatre company Royal De Luxe return with a five day spectacular (23-27 July).

3. They don’t talk like we do, do they do la

Bristol may have its own pound and Brighton its 10 billion pebbles but Liverpool has its own internationally recognised dialect. The Scouse accent is unique and fondly greeted around the world. Just try ordering ‘Doughnuts’ in a Scouse accent anywhere in America to test this theory

4. Baltic state of mind

Custard tarts at The Baltic Bakehouse (Picture: Facebook)

Just a five minute bike ride from the centre of town, Liverpool’s new creative hub the Baltic Triangle is starting to take shape. An area of previously disused warehouses the Baltic is now home to designers, artisan bakers, underground club nights and a host of cool bars and eateries. There’s even a school for 14-19 year olds dedicated to creative media and digital technology. Home to my social enterprise Liverpool Live, this burgeoning area of town was one of the reasons why Rough Guides put us on their list. Check out Baltic Bakehouse for some seriously good bread and egg custards while Sunday dinner at the fabulously quirky Camp & Furnace is hard to beat.

5. If you want a cathedral, we’ve got one to spare

Liverpool cathedral (Picture: Google Maps)

Liverpool is one of only a handful of UK cities with two cathedrals but these aren’t just any old cathedrals. The Anglican is one of the largest in Europe and imposes itself on the city skyline. Take the steps up to the top of the 331ft tower and you will be rewarded with spectacular views across the region and beyond. Linked by the aptly named Hope Street the modern Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King was completed in 1967 with its modern funnel design earning the nickname ‘Paddy’s Wigwam’ among the local population.



6. Festival feast

So many festivals, so little time (Picture: Sound City)

Whether it’s undiscovered local talent, the best in ground-breaking music, pick of the pops or the finest collection of DJs on the planet, Liverpool has a music festival for every taste. Threshold Festival kicks things off in March with a cornucopia of under the radar music and arts. That’s swiftly followed by our own award winning urban festival Sound City (1-3 May) which this year includes Clean Bandit, Jon Hopkins and The Kooks on its stellar line-up. The Liverpool International Music Festival takes over the summer with a sixteen day programme of gigs, exhibitions and outdoor events, exhibitions and outdoor events and no August bank holiday party would be complete in Liverpool without a visit to Creamfields (23-26 Aug) who have once again assembled an unbeatable line-up of DJs and live acts. Glow sticks at the ready!

7. Reds and Blues

Liverpool have had a great season (Picture: Getty Images)

As the great Bill Shankly once said ‘we have the best two teams on Merseyside. Liverpool and Liverpool Reserves’ but joking aside 2014 has been a fantastic year for the city’s football teams as both Liverpool and Everton head towards European football next season and a return to the glory days of the 1980s beckons. There’s a whole industry created around football in the city with blogs, fanzines, web TV channels and even stage plays written about both teams’ glorious histories.

8. Grand day out

The Grand National (Picture: Getty Images)

Every year Aintree racecourse hosts the world’s greatest steeplechase and the most famous horse race in the world, the Grand National. A global audience of 500 million people watch the drama unfold as runners and riders take on 30 unique fences around the 4 mile 3½ furlong course. The race history is full of inspiring stories but none more so than Red Rum – a horse trained on the nearby beach at Southport – who won the race three times and twice finishing runner up in his five attempts.


9. Everyman for everyone

The Everyman (Picture: Philip Vile)

The Everyman Theatre has been instrumental in the careers of some of the UK’s most famous actors including Julie Walters, Pete Postlethwaite, Matthew Kelly and Bill Nighy. As part of a massive redevelopment plan, the Hope Street theatre was flattened and a state of the art theatrical space built in its place. Still retaining the wrap around auditorium and basement bistro, the new theatre opened its doors with Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night earlier this year with both production and venue receiving critical acclaim.

10. Lights, camera, action!

Some scenes from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows were filmed in Liverpool (Picture: Warner Bros.)

Outside of London, Liverpool attracts more filmmakers than any other city. Our architecture gives us the ability to double as many global cities like Chicago, New York and Moscow. Blockbusting movies Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Captain America and Sherlock Holmes have all included scenes filmed on location in the city. Most recently the cast and crew of Fast and the Furious 6 took over our streets but I’m pretty certain that tunnel exit doesn’t go to London!

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