London to Liverpool – Our Travel Diary
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It’s London to Liverpool on today’s part of our UK itinerary. We leave London this Saturday morning bound by train to Liverpool. Initially, we start at the wrong station (Paddington), but that’s ok as we get a photo with the Paddington statue.
We were fond of the Paddington books by Michael Bond in our youth. So it was a fun stop to visit the little bear statue.
The Statue of Paddington Bear inside London’s iconic Paddington Station is a must-see for fans of the famous Michael Bond books. The bronze sculpture, created by Marcus Cornish, stands 3 feet tall and sits atop an ornately carved plinth in front of Paddington Station. The statue pays homage to the beloved character from Michael Bond’s famous children’s book series, which has been made into popular movies and television shows. The statue is a great photo op. We enjoyed a pose with Paddington Bear to commemorate this trip to London.
Selecting Our Train at Euston Station from London to Liverpool
We make our final tube trip to the Euston train station, where we eeny-miney-mo on which train we should take to Liverpool. We first opted for the slower (4 hours) and cheaper train, but while waiting for the train, we changed our mind and upgraded to the super go fast Virgin train, which would land us in Liverpool in just north of two hours. Our visit during the journey is predominantly English countryside and farmland.
Arrival in Liverpool
And so we arrived in Liverpool, England! This vibrant city is filled with history, culture, and breathtaking scenery. We’ve heard about it through the years, as have many people, as the home to four young musicians who changed the history of popular music.
From iconic landmarks like the Merseyside Maritime Museum, we were anxious to get our fill of Liverpool in the short time we had available on our itinerary. Our first order of business was to find our hotel, the ibis Styles Liverpool Centre Dale Street.
The ibis Styles Liverpool Centre Dale Street Hotel
We stayed here for our one-night stay-over in Liverpool. The walk to the hotel from the train station was no longer than 10 minutes. The location had excellent access to the city center, including the docks and The Beatles Cavern Club historical area. Breakfast was available the following day when we came downstairs at 630am, and it offered a nice variety of breakfast options. Our room was spotless.
More Hotel Options in Liverpool
And On To Adventures in Liverpool
We left our luggage at our hotel, the ibis Styles Liverpool Centre Dale Street, and then started to walk towards the docks for an afternoon of exploration.
A Brief Introduction to Liverpool
We like to find out things about the places we visit. Here’s a few things we learned about Liverpool.
Liverpool’s population is just under ½ million. It is the sixth most visited city in the UK and celebrated its 800th anniversary in 2007.
Liverpool has more museums, galleries, listed buildings, and listed parks in the UK than anywhere outside of London.
The city boasts the oldest black community in the UK and the oldest Chinese community in all of Europe. People from Liverpool are referred to as “Liverpudlians” but are more commonly called “Scousers”, a name that references a form of stew once popularized by sailors in the city. And “scouser” is also the name of the local accent and dialect which your ears will hear when you walk these streets.
Merseyside Maritime Museum Visit
We are in Liverpool just before 12:30 pm. After checking into our hotel, we begin walking to our first destination, the Merseyside Maritime Museum. Hopeful of finding more puzzle pieces on my Dad’s entry to Liverpool in 1943, we get contact information for their archives office, which is closed on weekends (today). The museum had a model replica of the Empress of France ship my dad sailed from Liverpool to Montreal in 1948.
The Merseyside Maritime Museum in Liverpool, England, is a must-see for anyone interested in the city’s maritime history. Located on the city’s historic Royal Albert Dock, the museum features interactive exhibits and displays that tell the story of Liverpool’s ports and their role in maritime trade. Visitors can explore galleries filled with artifacts from ships, learn about the history of lifeboats and watch films about the Liverpool docks. The museum also houses a collection of paintings, photographs, and memorabilia relating to the Liverpool waterfront. We enjoyed an afternoon of browsing its unique displays and impressive range of artifacts.
Inside the Merseyside Maritime Museum
At the Merseyside Maritime Museum, we wandered the four floors of galleries. During our visit, the exhibits we viewed included:
- Seized! The Border and Customs uncovered.
- Emigration Gallery – telling the story of people’s emigrations, primarily for poverty, persecution, or ambition. Among the emigrants were thousands of children, many of who sailed alone.
- Liverpool: World Gateway;
- Famous Ships – the Titanic, Lusitania (torpedoed with passengers aboard), and Empress of Ireland gallery; This section had a model replica of the Empress of France ship, which my dad sailed from Liverpool to Montreal in 1948.
- The Battle of the Atlantic – provided quite an excellent overview of the breadth of this battle and the number of ships involved. The story of the U.S. Merchant Marine is also told here – civilian seafarers who served during the war on merchant ships. Over 6000 were killed, and the United States lost about 278 vessels engaged in trade during the war. This brought home the perilous journey that people like my dad made in the 1940s to get to Liverpool
- Art and the Sea Gallery
The museum includes the 2010 Michelin Guide-listed Maritime Dining Rooms, a café, a shop, and a lecture theatre. And for people interested in research, the Office of Archives is a great resource.
We learned about the city’s shipping History. Liverpool was home to both the Cunard and White Star Line. And the city was the port of registry of the ocean liners RMS Titanic, RMS Lusitania, and RMS Queen Mary. Living in Southern California, we have often stepped aboard the Queen Mary.
Museum of Liverpool
There are several free museums in Liverpool – the Merseyside Maritime being one. We also stopped at the Museum of Liverpool and took in an exhibit on the history of the docks.
The Museum of Liverpool is an award-winning landmark in the city. It showcases the diverse history of Liverpool through its interactive exhibits, offering an immersive experience as you explore some of the most iconic moments from this vibrant city’s past. From archaeological finds to stunning works of art, the museum offers something for everyone. There’s also a temporary exhibition hall featuring exhibits from around the world and interactive activities for children.
The museum has exhibits that help expand awareness of Liverpool’s history. The entrance was free.
A Personal Pilgrimage
This stop in Liverpool is a personal pilgrimage continued. My dad, Bolesław Dobrucki, left a Polish refugee camp in Palestine, sailing around the cape of Africa to arrive in Liverpool in 1943. There he spent five years in a Polish division of England’s Royal Air Force. Five years later, at age 20 in 1948, he sailed from Liverpool to Montreal, where a new chapter of life would begin. Seventy-one years later, I stand at the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool, where my dad arrived and departed England. Footsteps followed.
UNESCO Heritage of Liverpool
UNESCO officially earmarked Liverpool’s Waterfront as a World Heritage Site in July 2004. This stretch of waterfront covers the Albert Dock, The Pier Head, and Stanley Dock to St. George’s Quarter which is home to St George’s Hall. The application for World Heritage Status highlighted Liverpool’s importance as a maritime mercantile city when Britain had its most significant global influence.
Learning about Liverpool’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a great way to explore the city, uncovering its history and culture in an informative and engaging way. You can take guided tours or explore this part of England, discovering the tales, legends, and stories that have created the city’s legacy.
Exploring Beatles History in Liverpool
We leave the docks and head into the city streets. Our next stop is the Cavern Club site, where the four lads from Liverpool known as The Beatles would craft their act and change the course of popular music.
The streets here are packed, active, and loud. The sound of music comes from every direction.
And no tour to Liverpool is complete without stopping at the Beatles statue. Hello lads!
Book a City and Beatles Tour in Liverpool
Rated 5 Stars on Viator
Brides, Brides, Everywhere
Liverpool appears to be the place to be also for bridal parties. They are everywhere. From the time we landed at the train station through our stroll in the city streets, we probably saw over 100 ladies enjoying various bridal party festivities. On one street, a flash mob type of bridal party scene comes to life.
Dinner at Cargo Seafood Restaurant
We walked and walked and walked looking for a seaside restaurant in Liverpool. We were somewhat stunned that our dockside walk had zero restaurants available until we could nearly not walk any further and came across Cargo Seafood Restaurant. The menu was a breath of fresh air. After two and a half weeks in the UK, this was our most robust seafood offering. We had monkfish and sea bass. Both were very well-seasoned and tasty. Good service and ambiance here.
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ The King
On Sunday morning, we visited the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ The King. It is a unique and stunning structure located in the heart of the city.
Built in 1967, it is an impressive feat of modern architectural design, featuring a unique and innovative dome-shaped roofline. The entire building was constructed from reinforced concrete, with its roof made from copper sheets and interior walls lined with marble and granite.
Inside, the cathedral provides a tranquil atmosphere, with religious art and stunning stained glass windows. We attended morning mass which was held in the large Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
We understand this is the largest Catholic Church in the United Kingdom. It has quite a fascinating history told on display panels as you enter the church. There was no music provided at the 8:30 a.m. mass that we attended.
Liverpool In 24 Hours
One way to get a city’s vibe is to walk its streets – and we did. Our iPhones show more than 14 miles covered during our visit. Our legs and feet feel it. Along the walking, we hear a different dialect spoken on these streets. We see another angle of England. We trace steps of history – some are our own, and some belong to the world.
Thank you Liverpool!
Tours in Liverpool
Travel Tips:
- The Oyster card, multi day, is a great value and convenience for London travel. Make this your first purchase when getting to London.
- Know which train stations offer connections to the cities you which to travel to next. Just because a given train station is big (e.g. London Paddington) doesn’t mean you can get anywhere in England from that station.
- Take time to soak up Beatles history in Liverpool
- Visit the Merseyside Maritime Museum when in Liverpool as the lives of millions were impacted by events connected to the docks in this famous seaside town.
Listen to our Liverpool Podcast Episode
Check out more stories from our travels in England
London Tourist Day – Exploring Churchill War Rooms and Westminster Abbey
Osterley House and Richmond Palace – Walking in the footsteps of Boleslaw Dobrucki
Our One Day Tower of London Visit
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