Sometimes it’s good to see things from a different angle
From the Royal red colonnades of the Royal Albert Dock to the murky, sweaty depths of the Cavern club, some parts of Liverpool are more well-trodden than others, and rightly so. It’s a great city to explore on foot and there’s tonnes of memorable, historical and utterly iconic sights to see.
However, if you want to see the city in a new light, avoid the tourist traps or you just don’t fancy a taste of Beatlemania on the Magical Mystery Tour there are other ways to enjoy the best of Liverpool.
Here are five completely unique ways to do it.
Take a Film Tour
Run by local film buff Gary Lunt (pictured above), Reel Tours explore the city’s exciting relationship with the film industry from the earliest moments of cinema up to modern day blockbusters. The two and a half hour –long walking tour takes you across Liverpool, scouting out recognisable filming locations. It is packed with jokes, fun facts and memorable quotes both from the movies and from Gary himself.
Reel Tours, 2 ½ hours, £15.00 pp
Go Underground
At the start of the 19th century, tobacco merchant, landowner and philanthropist Joseph Williamson dug a series of underground caves tunnels between his properties in the Edge Hill area on the outskirts of the city centre. These tunnels have now been carefully excavated and the Heritage Centre is open to the public with a team of dedicated volunteers who will show you around for a small, charitable donation.
Williamson Tunnel Tours, 40 minutes, £4.50 pp
See the city from up high
For the first time in its history one of Liverpool’s most iconic buildings, The Royal Liver Building, has opened its doors to the public with an interactive and immersive exhibition and guided tower tour spanning the height of the building. Once you reach the dizzy heights of the clock tower you’ll not only watch a specially made audio-visual show but you’ll be rewarded with a 360 degree panoramic view across the city.
Royal Liver Building 360 Tower Tour, 70 minutes, £15.00 pp
Hic-story tour
Learn about Liverpool’s history as a boozy trading port and vibrant merchant city whilst drinking your way around the city on a Gin Journey. Accompanied by a ‘gin guardian’ you’ll take a trip to some of Liverpool’s best pubs and bars, sampling gin cocktails and learning about the city’s vibrant history. Ticket prices include lots of samples as well as a private chauffeur so you won’t need to worry about being unsteady on your feet towards the end.
Gin Journeys, 4 ½ hours, over 18’s only, £50.00 pp
Stay up late
Shiverpool Tours are a thrilling late-night tour dedicated to showing off some of the city’s most important historical sights whilst entertaining audiences with some of its most haunting tales. Engaging with local creatives to help tell the stories, you’ll be ushered along some of Liverpool’s oldest streets by a costumed guide whilst being regaled with chilling tales and urban legends of the past.
Shiverpool Ghost Tours, 90 minutes, £15.50 pp
