Liverpool: A brief history
Situated on the banks of the River Mersey, Liverpool was officially established in 1207 and grew from a small fishing village to one of the world's major port cities and 2nd city of the British Empire. Its 802-year history is a fable of human achievement.
Today Liverpool is a major tourist destination and its port is busier than ever but the city continues to play in the advancement of knowledge most notably as a world leader in computer games software and the pharmaceutical industry. It has a population of circa 450,000, sits within a city region of over 1.5 million and is just a 90-minute drive for over 12 million people.
Arriving in Liverpool has never been easier. John Lennon Airport is one of the fastest growing in Europe with direct links to more than 70 destinations across Europe and hundreds internationally as a hub to Schipol International Airport in Amsterdam. You can enter the city centre via canal boat after the Leeds-Liverpool canal was extended to flow into the world famous Albert Docks.
Liverpool is also the perfect base to explore England's North West being just 40 minutes drive from Manchester and the historic cities of Lancaster and Chester and less than 90 minutes from four national parks: the Lake District, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales and Snowdonia. 
Liverpool: The Culture City
In 2008 Liverpool demonstrated its arrival as a World Class city with its year as European Capital of Culture.
Having attracted more than 3.5m new visitors last year, Liverpool is now one of the most popular destinations in the UK with a tourism economy worth £1.3bn a year.
Whether you're a day tripper or a culture vulture the city has something to offer everyone from high art to the high street – be it the largest collection of national museums and galleries outside of London to a legendary nightlife and booming café culture.
Music fans can make a pilgrimage to The Cavern – the birthplace of The Beatles or sample live music in more than 200 venues or any one of a dozen free festivals such as the Mathew Street Music Festival, held every August bank Holiday and the biggest of its kind in Europe.
If its retail therapy you're after Liverpool One is a new 42 acre shopping and leisure site in the heart of the city centre – while the city's Georgian Quarter or World Heritage waterfront can transport you to a bygone age providing some of the best city views in the country. In fact you may find yourself on a film set, as Liverpool is one of the most filmed in the UK and often doubles for other cities from Chicago to Moscow.
Liverpool's commitment to culture is more than just words. It has invested over £400 million in new and improved cultural facilities in the last 10 years and city's renaissance shows no sign of stopping. 
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