GENERAL

www.liverpoolpictorial.co.uk

ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL
Probably Britain's most awe-inspiring cathedral, it took 83 years to complete (1904-87). Described by John Betjeman as "the art of enclosing space" and "one of the great buildings of the world", it is the biggest cathedral in Britain and the fifth largest in the world. The architect was Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. King Edward VII performed the ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone on July 19th, 1904. So 2004 is year of centenary celebrations. Visitors can go up the tower to enjoy spectacular views on a clear day, but there is a small charge for this (£3 adults and £1.50 concessions) and the tower was closed in early 2004 due to work on the lift. The cathedral is open daily, 8am to 6pm, and entry is free, but donations gratefully accepted. Its refectory, 10am to 4pm, is popular with regular visitors. Anglican Cathedral, St James's Mount, L1 7BR. Phone 0151 709 6271. Centenary information line: 0151 702 7274.
www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk

METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL
Less than ten minutes walk away is the Metropolitan Roman Catholic Cathedral, with its unique design by Sir Frederick Gibberd. Said to be reminiscent of Brasilia Cathedral, it opened in 1967 and took less than five years to build. A clever use of lighting inside. Its lantern tower contains the world's largest stained glass window.
Previously, Sir Edward Lutyens had designed for the same site a cathedral to rival St Peter's in Rome. The foundation stone was laid in 1933 and part of the crypt was constructed but work had to stop in 1940 due to the Second World War. After the war, Lutyens scheme was considered too expensive.
Open daily, 8am to 6pm (5pm Sundays in winter) and has a refectory. Entrance is free. Phone 0151 709 9222. www.liverpool-rc-cathedral.org.uk

PALM HOUSE
Victorian botanical showpiece in Sefton Park, with plants from around the world, plus statues by Leon-Joseph Charalliand of explorers and naturalists, such as Columbus and Darwin. Completed in 1896, the Palm House was a home for Liverpool's Botanical Collection which had been brought to the city from all over the world through its maritime trade. Badly damaged in bombing raids during the Second World War, it was reglazed in 1950. The Palm House later fell into disrepair and was closed in the 1980s. In 1992, local residents began a campaign to save it. A £2.5million restoration project began in February 2000 and the Palm House re-opened in September 2001. Admission is free. Generally open daily, but occasionally closed for private functions such as weddings. For opening times, contact Sefton Park Palm House Preservation Trust, Sefton Park, Liverpool L17 1AP. Information Line: 0151 726 2415; Administration: 0151 726 9304. www.palmhouse.org.uk

WILLIAMSON TUNNELS
Between 1805 and 1840, businessman Joseph Williamson paid thousands of men to dig a maze of tunnels under the Edge Hill district, about a mile from the city centre. Why? Nobody knows for certain. The most favoured theory is that it was a philantrophic job-creation project. Another theory is that Williamson and his wife - from the famous Tate family - belonged to a religious cult which believed that the world would soon be destroyed and that the tunnels were to be a refuge. Part of the tunnels have been open to the public since September 2002 following a long excavation and renovation project by local volunteers. Admission: adults £3.50; Children over five, £2; Family ticket £10; Concessions, £3. Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre, The Old Stableyard, Smithdown Lane. L7 3EE. Phone: 0151 709 6868.
www.williamsontunnels.com
www.williamsontunnels.co.uk

WESTERN APPROACHES
Second World War underground HQ for the Battle of the Atlantic. Walk through the fortified labyrinth of rooms where the movement of ships, submarines and aircraft was plotted on huge wall charts and tables while top secret signals were transmitted and received. Among the rooms you can visit are the main operations room, Admiral's office, teleprinter station. 1-3 Rumford Street, L2 3SZ. (At rear of Town Hall). Open 10.30am to 4.30pm, but closed Fridays and Sundays. Closed in winter months. Admission: Adults, £4.75; concessions, £3.45. Family ticket: two adults and up to three children, £9.95. For further details, phone 0151 227 2008.

KNOWSLEY SAFARI PARK
Roaming only eight miles from Liverpool city centre are lions, tigers, elephants, antelope, deer, wallabies, baboons, buffalo, zebras and rhinos. On the five-mile safari drive, shreik as the monkeys bound over your car and the camels and ostriches nuzzle up to your window. There is also a reptile house, sea lion and parrot show, plus an amusement park. For the safari park, leave the M62 at Junction 6, then take the M57 and exit at Junction 2. At the roundabout follow the brown Safari signs. Open daily, from 10am to 5pm, March to October; 10.30am to 4pm, November to February. Admission: adults, £8, children and senior citizens, £5; family ticket (two adults and two concessions) £20. Amusement park rides cost extra. Phone 0151 430 9009. www.knowsley.com/safari/index.html

LIVERPOOL MUSEUM
Attracts up to 4,000 visitors a week even though parts of the museum are closed due to the building of a £35million extension. The museum has one of the biggest collections in Britain, with 10,000 historical exhibits from all over the world, including rare Buddhist artefacts and Aztec relics. The museum opened in 1860, but was closed from 1941 until 1966 due to bomb damage. Most of the exterior remained, but much of the interior was destroyed in the May Blitz of 1941. The exhibits had been stored away elsewhere. However many have remained in boxes ever since. Hence the extension but it is not expected to open until 2005. Admission to the museum is free. For opening times, phone 0151 478 4399. For further details, go to www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/livmus

PLANETARIUM
Only has 63 seats but 45,000 people a year go on this voyage of discovery. The 30-minute shows on space science and exploration tend to be a big hit with children. Situated on the top floor of Liverpool Museum, alongside the Space and Time gallery. Admission by ticket - adults £1, children 50p - available only from the ground floor information desk of Liverpool Museum. Due to building work, check in advance that planetarium is open. Phone: 0151 478 4283. For more information, go to www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/livmus/planetarium

SPEKE HALL


CREDIT: NATIONAL TRUST PHOTOGRAPHIC LIBRARY/RUPERT TRUMAN

Picture postcard territory. It is wonderfuly relaxing to wander round the gardens and woodland, but the centre of attraction is the beautiful half-timbered Tudor mansion whose nooks and crannies include priest-holes that were built to hide priests during periods of religious intolerance. Also a children's play area. Speke Hall is a National Trust property, situated seven miles from the city centre. Speke Hall, L24 1XD. For details of opening and admission, phone the Infoline 0345 585702 (local rate), or phone 0151 427 7231. www.spekehall.org.uk

LIVERPOOL FC
Daily tours include the dressing rooms, players' tunnel and the Kop. There is also the Anfield Museum which includes a film, trophies and memorabilia and a penalty gallery. In both cases, advance booking is recommended. Beatles fans should note that a Saver Ticket is available that gives cut-price admission to both the Anfield Museum and the Beatles Story at Albert Dock. For more details and prices, click on the link www.liverpoolfc.tv/lfc_story/tour_museum/

EVERTON FC
Best place in the world. The 75-minute stadium tours include the home dressing room, trophy room, directors box and players' tunnel. Normally available at 11am and 2pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (except match days), plus some Sundays. Adults £6.50p; children and over-65s, £4.50; family ticket, £18. The club recommends advance booking. Phone 0151 330 2277. For more details see www.evertonfc.com then click on The Club then Stadium Tour.

GRAND NATIONAL EXPERIENCE
A two-hour tour at Aintree Racecourse that includes sitting in the jockeys' weighing-in chair, visits to the jockeys' dressing room, the Winner's Enclosure and a virtual reality Grand National Ride. Tours operate from May to October. For further details, phone 0151 522 2921.

CONSERVATION CENTRE
Shows how experts preserve and restore everything from fine art and sculpture to space suits and ancient archaeological treasures. Exhibits range from two Beatles gold discs to a mummified Egyptian crocodile to a 16th century copy of the Mona Lisa. Awarded the title of European Museum of the Year 1998. The first national conservation centre in the UK, and the only one of its kind open to the public. Housed in a former Victorian railway depot, it was opened by The Prince of Wales in 1996. Free admission, open daily 10am to 5pm. The Conservation Centre, Whitechapel, L1 6HZ. Phone 0151 478 4999. www.nmgm.org.uk/conservation

CHESTER ZOO
One of Europe's best zoos is a 40-minute drive from Liverpool city centre. Around 5,000 animals in spacious surroundings run by North of England Zoological Society which supports conservation by breeding programmes and scientific research. By public transport, take the Merseyrail from Liverpool Central to Chester where you need to catch a bus. For opening times and admission charges, phone 01244 380280. www.demon.co.uk/chesterzoo

CATALYST MUSEUM
Four miles outside Liverpool in Widnes, but this is a very good museum of the chemical industry with lots of hands-on displays for children. Special events at no extra cost in school holidays and at weekends. Open: weekends, 11am to 5pm; weekdays, 10am to 5pm, but closed Mondays during school term time. Admission: adults, £4.95; children, £3.50; under-fives, free; concessions, £3.95; family ticket, £14.95. Mersey Road, Widnes, WA8 0DF. Phone 0151 420 1121. www.catalyst.org.uk

BLUE PLANET
Indoor aquarium with underground tunnel. On display is aquatic life from around the world, including sharks. Located at Cheshire Oaks, Ellesmere Port, CH65 9LF. It is about a 35-minute drive from Liverpool city centre to Junction 10 of M53. Open daily, from 10am to 5pm or 6pm. Adults, £8.95; children aged 3 to 15, £6.50; OAPs and students, £6.95; family ticket, £30. Phone 0151 357 8800. www.deepseaworld.com