Mark Langley takes tourists on the newly launched Comedy Coach Tours around Liverpool.
He grew up in Cantril Farm, and was teleported to Stockbridge Village at the age of 14 when they changed the name and “people changed over night”. He says he now lives in Kirkdale for tax reasons.
Here he gives his top five places to visit in Liverpool.
1. Sefton park, I absolutely love parks and it’s a great example of a public park. I especially love the hidden fairy glen in there.
There’s a lovely waterfall in it and an old bridge. Just the place for anyone to take a romantic stroll.
I haven’t taken a girl there, but I do plan to. I’m fed up of taking women who turn out to be men.
2. Lark Lane, its just full of little bistros and character with, a mix of people from students, intellectuals and scallies. And a wide variety of food offerings around there too. I particularly love the Greek restaurant.
3. The Vaults (Cook Street), and you have press a little buzzer to get in. The great thing about it is when you are fed up of really busy places, you can always find place to chat.
It run by a guy called Johnny Mac, the bar staff are great and there used to be the most beautiful girl you’ve ever seen working there. It’s a basement bar, it’s decorated with pictures of old movies stars from Bogart to James Cagney and Lee Van Cleef.
There’s also a piano in there where I’ve seen brilliant impromptu performances from the punters. It’s a real hidden gem in the city.
Its famous for steaks. I saw a guy in there with big teeth and no reflection. He needed a steak through the heart (works better when you say it, eds).
4. Crosby Marina. The sea breeze coming in on a warm day is lovely, and it used to be handy for my singing lessons. I really like watching people on the boats, it’s great fun. The smells of the fish and chips. It’s the ideal place to relax when the weather is nice. The iron men on the beach didn’t impress me as much. I would kick their butts in a bike ride, or a swim.
5. The Central Library and, in particular, the Picton Reading rooms, which is astounding. I particularly like the mystery section, no one’s ever found it.
Ken Dodd is also known to have used the Picton reading rooms to write his scripts. I love the fact that the room is circular and something great about the circle, its always been an amazing shape a circle. I also like theatre in the round, I like wheels though I prefer three square meals a day.
But now the library has been refurbished, it’s stunning, and you must go to the rooftop terrace. Just think of all the history and ideas that are beneath your feet. A novel fell on my head once there, but that’s another story.
Book a Comedy Coach tour here.
