The Fab Four, its Three Graces (the Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building, Port of Liverpool Building), two footballing sides and a iconic waterfront sums up Liverpool in a nutshell. For many people, it is indelibly linked with at least one of the above. Pier Head conjures up echoes of its mercantile past as a main shipping port. It is possible to see another reminder of that era by visiting the Merseyside Maritime and The Beatles Story museum and Tate Gallery on Albert Dock. In the Museum of Liverpool Life, it is possible to stand on a bit of terracing from The Kop.
Even with the above, there's far more to see and do, such as take in the city's architectural gems like the Walker Art Gallery, its Anglican and Catholic cathedrals, St. George's Hall and Bluecoat Chambers. Why not board a Mersey Ferry to Birkenhead or Seacombe? Walk down Mathew Street and have a drink in The Cavern? Or book a Magical Mystery Tour along The Beatles' landmarks, such as Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields?
If your idea of the Fab Four includes Alan Ball, Kenny Dalglish, Dixie Dean and Kevin Keegan instead of John, Paul, George and Ringo, why not go to Goodison Park or Anfield in luxury. Besides playing host to Premier League football, both grounds are suitable conference venues with executive boxes. Anfield has the Centenary and Executive Clubs with the Centenary Stand built with hospitality facilities in mind. Goodison Park's main stand and Park Stand boast a number of lounges, such as the Joe Mercer Suite.
Lovers of equine sports will regard Aintree as their equivalent to Wembley Stadium. For many people, always the most revered steeplechasing event in the sporting calendar - The Grand National. As well as accommodating 45,000 people on a Saturday in early April, Aintree Racecourse is also a first class conference venue with a number of suites, accommodating 6 to 4,500 delegates.
Only a short distance away from the city centre, is a wealth of golf courses, either north of Liverpool towards Southport, or across the Mersey on the Wirral Peninsula. Royal Birkdale is close by, one which has been voted the UK's Number One golf course. Nearby is Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa, which as well as offering conference facilities and a Championship Standard 18 hole golf course, is a place of relaxation and fine dining.
Supposing your idea of relaxation involves retail therapy, Liverpool city centre includes the Liverpool One development. Across the Mersey and a short distance along the M53 motorway is the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet near Ellesmere Port. A quick drive or electric train away is Southport, which is worth visiting for Lord Street alone. If you prefer, why not take a tram along its recently restored pier?
The city centre has plenty of hotels, suitable as conference venues as well as places to rest one's head. As well as the Hilton on Liverpool ONE, why not try the Liner Hotel, a nautical themed hotel with modern rooms? Or the Adelphi, close to Lime Street station and the main shopping centre.
As the lights go down, there is plenty to do. Take in a film at the ODEON in Liverpool ONE, see a concert at the Echo Arena, or watch a show at the Empire or Everyman theatres. Why not visit The Baltic Fleet or The Philharmonic public houses, both noted for cask conditioned ales and unspoilt interiors.
Accessible from most parts of the UK, Liverpool is a fantastic city with a multiplicity of conference venues and attractions. Not only by road, rail, air and sea, but also by narrowboat thanks to a recent extension of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal to Pier Head.
Liverpool Lime Street station boasts frequent trains to London Euston, Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly railway stations. Regular trains serve Leeds, York and Birmingham New Street. Nearby, Liverpool South Parkway - courtesy of a bus link thereafter - offers connections with Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Regular buses and Merseyrail trains serve other parts of Merseyside and Lancashire, such as Ormskirk, Southport, New Brighton and Birkenhead. Daily sailings are available from Liverpool, or sometimes nearby Birkenhead, to the Isle of Man and Belfast.
