Opened in 2007, the bicentenary of the abolition of the British slave trade, Liverpool’s International Slavery Museum serves both as a testament to those African slaves brought across to Europe in the eighteenth century and as a reminder to us all, to continue to address issues of self-importance and ignorance.

The museum has three principal galleries – Life in West Africa, Enslavement and the Middle Passage and Legacies of Slavery.  These three galleries together exploring the lives of the Africans before they were shipped over as slaves, the traumas they experienced on board and the subsequent subservient life they led in the Americas, as well as looking at how racism and discrimination still strives in our society today – have we really learned any lessons?

Of course slavery didn’t just occur in Africa; it still exists today in several countries including Haiti.  The museum has on display the “Freedom!” sculpture, crafted by a group of Haitian artists, to raise awareness of their plight.

With thought-provoking images, messages and interactive activities, the International Slavery Museum is an excellent venue to remind adults and educate children that all of us were created equal and that we should remain so.

Located at the Albert Dock, admission is free and the museum holds several activity days.  The museum shop stocks a variety of gifts and memorabilia, including fair trade products.

For a meaningful, thought-provoking day out in Liverpool, the International Slavery Museum is  a must.

One of the lesser known Liverpool tourist destinations but certainly worthwhile seeing are the Williamson Tunnels, constructed in the early nineteenth century under the Edge Hill district of Liverpool.

Joseph Williamson, a retired tobacco merchant and later property developer, ordered the tunnels to be built – but no-one is absolutely sure why!  Theories have abounded over the last two hundred years, including the offering of work to the unemployed men in the district and Joseph’s alleged membership of a secret sect which believed in Armageddon.  Whatever the real reason, Joseph never did reveal the real reason for his desire to build the tunnels.

Although many of them have fallen into disrepair, some are still able to be seen, hidden under a residential development.  More still have yet to be rediscovered….

Many artefacts have been found within the tunnels, including ink wells, bottles and a child’s car, indicating that for a time at least, families did inhabit this underground dwelling.

Williamson died in 1840 at the ripe old age of 70, immediately signalling the halting of the tunnels’ construction and a sure-fire guarantee that the real reason for their existence would be taken to the grave.

Many events are now held within the tunnels, including recitals and concerts.  They are also a popular film location.

Most cities have their own version of canal or river cruises.  But as you know, Liverpool isn’t most cities!  Take a tour around in a unique mode of transport – “The Yellow Duckmarine”.

The Duckmarine was originally designed by New York naval architects Sparkman and Stephens Inc., to move men ashore where there were no port facilities in World War II.  It may then come as no surprise to learn that The Duckmarine can carry you both on land – and on water!

Leaving from the Albert Dock, you will be taken for a half hour long drive along the dockside, taking in such sights as The Pier Head, The Three Graces, St George’s Hall, the Cathedrals  and the world famous Albert Dock before turning straight off the road, down the slipway and into the Salthouse Dock.  Imagine your children’s faces as they drive along the road and carry on straight into the water – priceless!

Once you’ve found your sea legs, the tour continues through the South Docks to Coburg Dock, before emerging from the water once more, right in front of the Albert Dock buildings.

With a live commentary throughout, the entire tour takes around one hour – an unforgettable way of spending a day in the beautiful city of Liverpool.

Definitely not for the faint-hearted, the city’s own ghost walk organisation, “The Shiverpool Ghost Tours” are an ideal way of spending an evening in Liverpool amongst like-minded lovers of mystery, macabre and spooky goings-on.

One of Liverpool’s top tourist attractions, the secret underbelly of the city is revealed by top performers, narrating and re-enacting some of its most deadly and morbid tales.  BUT – don’t be fooled into thinking these are mere ghost stories.  All of the stories told are supported by actual historical evidence, so beware!

With 40,000 attendees to date across the three main tours, it seems many people are keen to scare themselves witless!

“The Hope Street Shivers” starts outside The Philharmonic Pub, where you would be encouraged to have a “wee dram” to keep out the chilly air and give you some Dutch courage, ending appropriately at St James Cemetary, below The Anglican Cathedral.

“The Auld City Shivers” begins and ends at the gruesomely named “Slaughter House Pub”, with both tours available for adults and children alike.

Bespoke corporate tours are also available, designed to frighten the living daylights out of your colleagues.

“The Shiverpool Ghost Tours” are a quirky, unforgettable way of enjoying your stay in Liverpool, remembering those who have gone before…

Threatened with closure in 2002, the Robert Cain Brewery was saved by two Asian entrepreneur brothers, who have transformed it into a thriving tourist destination in the heart of Liverpool.

The brewery itself, known locally as the “terracotta palace” was first built in 1850 – a beautiful example of Victorian architecture. Inside however, it’s a completely different story. Kitted out with the most up to date brewing technology, this is one of the fastest growing breweries in the UK, even having its own water supply, drawn direct from a spring underneath the building.

Visitors are able to see at first hand the entire operation of the brewing process, including fermenting, brewing and canning; one of the highlights of the tour being to climb up to the original hop store and look out over the Mersey. Because of this, the building is not suitable for the less agile.

The Cains brand of beers and lagers are now world-famous and award-winning, so offer without doubt, an ideal day out for any beer-loving male or female. Due to the nature of the tour, only adults are permitted, with admission including a buffet and two pints in the Brewery Tap public house, situated next to the brewery itself.

Undoubtedly one of the best museums in the UK, the Walker Art Gallery, in the very heart of Liverpool, hosts an outstanding collection of both traditional and contemporary art.

For the last 130 years, visitors have flocked to this attraction, drawn by its wealth and variety of exhibitions and collections.

From Rossetti to Hockney, there are pieces to delight and inspire everyone. One of the gallery’s showcase items, “The Amber Cabinet”, made in Poland around 1700, is a fine example of the Baroque period and was purchased specifically, with assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the National Art Collections Fund. Other “must sees” include “Self-portrait as a young man” by Rembrandt and “Break up of the ice on the Seine” by Monet.

On the more modern front, the gallery often displays collections by celebrated contemporary artists and craftspeople. Featured in the past have been “Unnatural Selection: jewellery, objects and sculpture” by Peter Chang, “A Passion for Fashion: A Liverpool Lady’s Wardrobe” and “Conrad Shawcross: The Steady States”.

There is nothing worse than trying to enjoy some adult time whilst accompanying children. However, the gallery caters exceptionally well for little ones. Whether it’s the rare opportunity to pose on a throne, getting their hands dirty with craft work or choosing stories, there are plenty of activities to amuse them, ensuring the whole family enjoys their visit.

There is a cafe with children’s menu located on the ground floor, so you don’t have to cut short your visit for sustenance and on pleasant days, St John’s Gardens, opposite the gallery, provide a beautiful outdoor area for playing, strolling or even picnicking; an ideal day out in Liverpool.

Undoubtedly, one of the best and certainly the most famous band to come out of Liverpool has to be The Beatles.

Listened to and adored by millions across the entire world, thousands of tourists flock to the Fab Four’s home city each year, some making the trip to Liverpool especially, others simply adding it to their itinery.

Located at the Albert Dock, the full Beatles story from the early years to Paul McCartney’s solo work is told in detail.  Including a full-size replica of the Cavern Club, Abbey Road studios and a walk-through Yellow Submarine in its underwater setting, the interactive displays will use all of your senses; sight, sound, touch – and yes, even smell!  Accompanying audio narrative, by John Lennon’s sister, Julia, also includes the actual voices of Paul McCartney, Brian Epstein and Cynthia Lennon.

The exhibition itself includes many rare artefacts, including George Harrison’s first guitar.  Its interactive displays bring the music to life and some, including the “Lenses of Lennon”, where you can look through his famous round glasses, raise strong emotion in many.

Expanded in 2008, The Beatles Story, one of Liverpool’s most famous tourist attractions, includes a gift shop, interactive Discovery Zone for the kids (so they can also learn to appreciate the music of The Beatles) and themed cafe.

The Beatles Story is one of the jewels in the city’s crown.  Make sure you don’t miss it on your stay in Liverpool.

It may be a little known fact that Liverpool has more museums and art galleries than any other city in the country, truly making it “The Capital of Culture”!  The largest gallery of contemporary art outside London, Tate Liverpool, showcasing the works of twentieth century artists, is a centre of national importance.

Situated in Albert Dock and opening in 1988, with an average attendance of around six hundred thousand visitors each year, the gallery has played host to over 150 exhibitions and collections, including “Summer of Love:  Art of the Psychedelic Era” and “Contemporary Art from China”, as well as showcasing examples of work by Gustav Klimt – the first ever such exhibition in the UK.

The building’s redevelopment began ten years later, in 1998, increasing its range of activities and integrating new technologies.  Tate Liverpool places great emphasis on hands-on participation, holding seminars and workshops for adults and children alike.

And it doesn’t end there.  The gallery continues to work with other cultural organisations in bringing contemporary art to not only the people who live in and around the city, but also to the thousands of visitors to Liverpool each year.  In 2007, the Tate hosted the Turner Prize, a suitable introduction to Liverpool’s year as “European Capital of Culture”.

On the last Thursday of every month, the Tate opens late, offering food, music, drink and entertainment, to enhance your enjoyment of the collections.

Admission is free and  a cafe and book shop are available.

Situated close to Liverpool airport, Speke Hall is not the kind of building you would expect to find in such a modern setting.

The Hall, built in the fifteenth century, is one of the most famous Tudor residences in Britain and is widely considered to be one of the most outstanding examples of its kind.  It offers many surprises, including a priest hole in one of the bedrooms.  Internally, original Tudor features merge sympathetically with Victorian influences and Jacobean plasterwork.  A fully equipped Victorian kitchen and servant’s hall enable visitors to get some idea of everyday life in a mansion during this time.

Although some remaining parts of the house date back to 1490, there has been a dwelling on the site for much longer; indeed the manor at Speke is referenced in the Domesday survey in 1086.

Podcasts are provided as you walk around the building, giving useful information and drawing your attention to particular points of interest.

Externally, much work has gone into restoring the Victorian gardens which now boast spring bulbs, a rose garden, a summer border and stream garden.  In addition, there are several beautiful woodland walks with quiz trails for the children.

Next to the Hall is Home Farm, a model Victorian building, serving home cooked food and housing the gift shop.  With its orchard and play area, Speke Hall offers an educational and lively day out for all the family – a must-see whilst enjoying your stay in Liverpool.

Arguably one of the main reasons visitors flock to Liverpool, the John Smith’s Grand National is very much a grown up day out.

Dating back to 1829, and in those days called the Grand Liverpool Steeple Chase, the Grand National represents the very best of British sport and offers a fantastic day out or short break in Liverpool.

This year, held from Thursday 2nd to Saturday  4 April, the event attracts around 70,000 race goers annually, from small time flutterers to professional pundits.  On the Saturday, three races take place; the John Smith’s Grand National Steeple Chase, the Scottish and Newcastle Aintree Hurdle and the John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase – plenty of opportunity for you to place your bets and take your chances.

Almost as famous as the Grand National race itself, Ladies’ Day, held on the Friday, is renowned for people watching; seeing the beautiful elegance yet sometimes extravagant styles being worn by the ladies in attendance.

A brand new VIP lounge was opened at Aintree Racecourse in 2008, which has now become the most exclusive bar on the racecourse.  For those really looking to make a day of it, the Grand National Winner’s party, held on the final day, offers  you the chance to meet winning jockeys, owners and trainers.  You will be welcomed with a Winner’s Cocktail and enjoy live entertainment all evening, for just £30 per ticket.