Liverpool ~ L1

Situated on the coast of the Irish Sea in the North West of England, Liverpool is the country's most important Atlantic seaport. In terms of history, the city is a relatively new settlement with its beginnings found in the early 13th century as a mainly military port dealing with the transit of soldiers to Ireland. Although other trades and industries developed, it wasn't until the 18th century that it started to find prosperity alongside Bristol as the national centre of the slave trade. Following this, the infrastructure of the docks built to cater for the burgeoning export and shipbuilding industries favourably placed the city as a major handler of the textiles produced by the nearby Lancashire and Yorkshire mills during the industrial revolution. This expansion was helped by the navigational length of the famous River Mersey that flows through the city and the building of the canal networks and later the railways that linked the port to the manufacturing towns. Liverpool maintained its prominence as a major port, shipyard and manufacturing centre well into the 20th century when changes in world economy started a decline. Many of the shipyards closed and the city had to change with the times. Commercial trends forced a change from traditional manufacturing to the service industry. The city has weathered this well and thanks in no small part to the Beatles and the 'Merseybeat' it has reinvented itself as a vibrant city of culture and a future. Natives of Liverpool (or Liverpudlians) are fiercely proud of their heritage and their city which lists many of the greats of the entertainment, sporting, arts and academic worlds among its sons and daughters.

Places of Interest

The city is packed with interest. It is home to two magnificent cathedrals and some of the best architecture in the country. Especially fine are St George's Hall and Liverpool Museum.

• The area around the waterfront has the redeveloped Albert Dock that holds the Tate Gallery and Maritime Museum. The area also holds more listed buildings than anywhere else in the country
• Take a trip on the famous Mersey Ferry.
• Mathew Street, the home of the Cavern Club.

Living in Liverpool - Education, Shopping and Travel Links

Liverpool is a major regional shopping area.. Already well supplied with the usual range of High Street stores and malls, the city's long awaited Paradise Project is now well advanced and by 2007 will provide an enormous retail outlet that will house many important department stores as well as an extensive range of specialist shops.

The city has its own Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and is home to Aintree and the Grand National, and two world renowned football clubs - Liverpool and Everton.

Communication links are good. Liverpool has its own international airport, and ferry ports to Ireland. Road and rail links with the rest of the UK are excellent.

The city has an extensive range actively promotes and encourages adult education and the city boasts three universities (University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Hope University). There are several types of school in Liverpool. These include Community schools, Voluntary Aided Catholic schools, Voluntary Aided Church of England schools, a Voluntary Aided Jewish school, a Voluntary Aided Grammar School, an Academy and a Foundation school. If you are a Liverpool resident and your child is transferring from primary school to secondary school you will receive a preference form on which parents/guardians can express a preference for a secondary school. Parents/guardians may list, on the preference form, any schools maintained by Liverpool Education Authority and any schools maintained by other Local Education Authorities.

Estate and Letting Agents for Liverpool L1