About Liverpool

It doesn't matter how you arrive in Liverpool, being here is the most important thing. Planes, trains and automobiles bring thousands of people to our city on a daily basis for a multitude of reasons. That's because whatever you require from life if we haven't got it, it's not worth having. That may be a bold statement and sound arrogant but Liverpool is quite possibly the most cosmopolitan city in the world.

Everyone thinks they know Liverpool, even those who've never been here. But Liverpool's not just about the Beatles, football or wisecracks. It's all these things - and none of them. It's about being one of the most vibrant, life-affirming and creative cities in the UK.

The Liverpool of today is a changed city. It's emerging as one of the UK's leading centres for learning, culture, entertainment, sport and endeavour. The award of European Capital of Culture 2008 has confirmed this as fact.

Shopping ranges from high street names to independent stalls, boutiques and high fashion. Places to eat and drink are on the increase, and there's something for everyone's taste and budget - Chinese, Indian, Italian, African, French, Japanese, Thai, Spanish, Mexican, Greek and more.

Going out in Liverpool is not expensive, and the Liverpool crowds are lively and friendly, from the chain pubs to the smaller, independent pubs and bars. Down at the Albert Dock are more exclusive bars and restaurants, where local footballers and soap stars hang out.

Clubs around the city offer an ever-changing mix of music and style. Though Cream's Saturday night is no longer, Chibuku, Society and Garlands have clubbers queuing round the block every weekend. Countless other clubs like the Krazyhouse offer sounds from RnB, indie to heavy rock all in one place. Liverpool's live music scene is eclectic and exhaustive, too. From big names playing big venues, like the Darkness, Coldplay and Oasis, to alternative bands and up-and-coming acts, Liverpool caters to all genres of music. The Summer Pops at the docklands area has been a popular event in recent years as has the Mathew Street Festival, where people flock from around the world to celebrate the music of the Beatles. The Creamfields Festival on the old Speke airport site has also built up a good reputation with hardcore clubbers since it inception a few years ago.

Further adding to Liverpools cultural mix is the large student population in the city. With two respected universities and numerous colleges, people from all walks of life converge on the city, a lot of whom stay on after their tenure at university to live and work in this magical place.

If you fancy getting away from the hustle and bustle, the city's parks are ideal places to spend lazy Sundays. There are nature reserves up the coast at Formby and stately homes at Speke and Croxteth. Sandy beaches on the Wirral and the beautiful countryside of North Wales are within easy reach. Travelling to the coast and countryside is cheap and easy.

As an attraction for sports fans, Liverpool remains hard to beat. Aside from Liverpool, newly crowned Champions of Europe and Everton football clubs there is racing at Aintree (the Grand National, the worlds most famous steeple chase.) as well as golf, cricket, tennis, water sports and rugby league all on Merseyside. And if you want to be more than a spectator, there are hundreds of local teams for every type of sport.

There are more museums, theatres and galleries on Merseyside than in any other region outside London. World-class exhibitions at Tate Liverpool, National Museums Liverpool, the Walker and the Bluecoat are complemented by original plays and major productions hosted at the Everyman and the Playhouse. The Unity Theatre is great for contemporary drama and the Liverpool Empire hosts many musicals after their West End runs.

Film fans can enjoy the recently opened FACT Centre (Film, Art and Creative Technology) as well as a plethora of multiplexes, including the fantas