Going to Liverpool

I casually mentioned to the wife that "maybe next year we'll go to England".
She was up for it and still is as I "casually mentioned" that we'll go to
Liverpool to see the Beatles sites. Now it's turning into a Beatles-only
vacation which is fine with me.

appeyroad...

============

So, from where did Liz move to the UK and why? From where?

steve...

Happens to the nicest of people....

TAR...

As long as we're asking questions, Lizz, how old are you, how much do
you weigh, and what color are your roots? :]

fishandchipp...

you writing a book TAR?

I think I'd like to see the sites on my own rather than a proper tour. This
way I can see exactly what I want and stay as long as I like. Do cab drivers
rent themselves out for a day for this purpose? Do tours give you access to

johnty1...

It can be done. But it can also be done with a good map and public
transport.

saki...

Some of it can even be done on foot, though it's a long walk. The
advantage is that you get a greater feel for the local landscape. We
walked from Sefton Park (where Fred Lennon courted Julia Stanley) to
Penny Lane (self-explanatory) to Menlove Avenue. It was a tiring day but
an illuminating one, and the slow pace of meandering through different
neighborhoods gave us a unique perspective of the Fabs' home town.

Local buses also work reasonably well and are a lot cheaper than hiring a
taxi.

Check with the Liverpool tourism office to see whether you can hire a
guide (different from a standard tour)---I'm not sure whether they offer
this anymore but it's worth considering if available for a half-day jaunt
with a knowledgeable local person.

places that you can't see on your own?

johnty1...

Yes, if you want to go inside JLs or PMs homes.

saki...

Last time I was there the houses weren't yet managed by the National
Trust. Since this is the only way to see the interiors, I think
recommending a one-day tour is probably best.

After Liverpool we'd like to rent a car and drive to London. About how long
of a drive is it?

johnty1...

As other have said, take the train. London traffic is a nightmare, and
we have lots of roundabouts!

saki...

The train is very convenient; as I recall there was a fast (2.5 hours)
train from London. And Britrail passes still exist (you buy them in the
USA for travel in the UK---the Flexipass looks like a good deal). You see
a lot more from trains than by driving.

Make sure you stop by Ye Cracke for a pint.

JohnB...

Depending on the time of day/week, it can take anything from 3 to 5
hours. It's about 190 miles, mostly motorway. A fair bit of that
you'll be able to do at 70mph but you'll almost certainly hit a jam or
a restricted speed stretch (for road works). Seriously - have you
driven in the UK before? Are you familiar with driving on the left?
Make sure you know all the rules and signs. In the end, I'd advise
going by train from Liverpool (Lime Street) to London (Euston) -
probably 2 hr trip.

I figured I'd like to see a soccer match there and went onto the Liverpool

JohnB...

club's website. The ticket distribution is a bit confusing. Something about
"fan cards". Are tickets easy or hard to get? It seems they are put on

JohnB...

ths

general sale a few weeks before each match. They dont put them onsale months
ahead? How long does the season last?

johnty1...

New season starts 19 August. Everton, the other premier club in the
city, are at home that day - Much nicer club than L'pool. Tickets can
usually be bought at the ground in advance (as this is the first game
of the season, there's going to be a big demand so by 'in advance' I
mean at least a week).

JohnB...

The season is August to May - but chances of picking up a ticket for a
game at Anfield are slim. Your best bet would be a Tuesday or
Wednesday evening fixture - but almost every game is a sell out. Is it
Liverpool FC you want to see or just any Premiership game? You might
be better off trying Everton (Liverpool's other Premiership side) or
Wigan Athletic (40 min drive from Liverpool) where sell outs are less
frequent. Expect to pay upwards of =A325 for each ticket.

Enjoy your trip, though. It's a great city. Take a trip on a ferry
just to see that great waterfront. Check out Speke Hall and the two
cathedrals too.

More questions in the coming months as I have been wanting to do the Beatles

Frank from Deeetroit...

Surf the web to find out the sights you would like to see in Liverpool. The
Beatles Museum at the Albert Docks Cavern Club and Mathew street sights is a
mile or so distance from each other, within walking distance. Paul's house,
John's Mendips home, Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane are a few miles from
the Albert Dock area, so a taxi is in order. Those sights are fairly close
to each other, but hire a taxi to see these sights. You can acess Paul's
childhood home only by tour and I believe John's Mendips home is acessed by
tour only.

JohnB...

Indeed they are. I believe you have to join a National Trust Tour from
Speke Hall (which is 5-6 miles south of the city, near the airport -
you could probably get there by bus without too much trouble). The
National Trust owns both the Forthlin Road and Menlove Avenue
properties. [The NT is a body that "preserves" some buildings and
parks of historical importance in the UK.] You can see both addresses
as they are both "ordinary" houses on public streets but you'll have to
take the trip to see inside.

steve...

Unless things have changed, you don't have to join the National Trust to
get inside NT properties.

You pays yer money and yer gets in.

However, if you do join, you get in for free. (Check out

Also I think that I recall that because of the popularity (large) of
these two addresses, and the size (small) the numbers are restricted and
you have to book ahead. Check that though.

And, as someone else has said, go for Richard Porter's walking tour of
Beatles London.

Meanwhile... for the original poster, and for Lizz

Tbh there is little to see at Penny Lane or Strawberry Fields so the
Magical Mystery Tour Bus is as good as any way to see them - unless
you're the type that likes to "seek spirits in the air" :-) (I am!)

Taking a train is less expensive than renting a car. The British rail
system is the way to go to get from one point to another, the countryside is
scenic. London traffic is heavy and parking is almost impossible. As with
anyplace you go, negotiate the cab price before you get in.

tour forever!

IBen Getiner...

Poor Bob.... Where COULD he be...??