Liverpool pandas to the masses
IT is the city that made its name around the world as home to one of the greatest rock and roll groups ever. But times have moved on since the swinging 60s success of The Beatles. And now Liverpool is hosting another UK first – featuring Kung Fu Panda, Shrek and Madagascar.
The city’s St George’s Hall is showcasing the characters in DreamWorks Lights, a show featuring 100 Chinese lantern versions of the popular animated stars.
And you won’t have any trouble spotting it.
There’s a huge inflatable Shrek peering out over the city from the roof of the impressive Grade I listed Victorian building, one of many architectural gems in the city.
It was one of the first things that caught our eye as we left Liverpool Lime Street Station. We soon discovered that is just one of many attractions creating a special buzz around the city this December.
These included Christmas markets dotted around the city centre, selling food from across the world and original seasonal gifts, the biggest collection of stalls being outside St George’s Hall.
But before we checked out the festive celebrations fully we made our way to our Beatles-themed Ibis Styles hotel in the Carvern Quarter – just 10 minutes from Lime Street (we soon discovered that all the main attractions in the city are within walking distance of one another).
The modern, colourful reception was most welcoming and the rooms were compact, clean and comfy. What more could you ask for?
Well, actually, it’s worth mentioning the food and service – both second to none. The continental breakfast was great and I enjoyed one of the best club sandwiches I’ve ever tasted when we arrived.
After checking out the DreamWorks show and Christmas markets we got ready to sample Liverpool’s nightlife.
The Cavern Quarter is full of bars and restaurants, including the Cavern Club itself, a recreation of the venue where John, Paul, George and Ringo began the Beatlemania phenomenon, on the same street where the original club stood.
Taking a break from music history, we headed to Viva Brazil, on nearby Castle Street for dinner.
The steakhouse offers a taste of South America without getting on a plane. You can enjoy an unlimited hot and cold buffet, including eijoada (a stew with smoked pork and black beans), pure de batata com alho (garlic mash potatoes) and alada de beterraba (beetroot salad with onion).
A troop of pasadors moves from table to table to serve more than 15 cuts of beef, lamb, pork, chicken and sausages cooked over a charcoal barbecue.
There are vegetarian and fish options available, too, and the hot pineapple slices cut from a skewer were a great way to finish our meal.
Christmas is being celebrated in style at Liverpool One, which is home to shopping and entertainment, with 160-plus stores, including a huge John Lewis and Debenhams, Cath Kidston, Disney Store and Jack Wolfskin. A giant 30-metre tree, lit up in rainbow colours at night helps set the right atmosphere and you can enjoy a Christmas beverage or two in the seasonal Alpine-themed Bar Hüttee underneath.
Highly recommended is the gin winter toddy (a traditional hot toddy with a gin twist, £6) and a Baileys Chocolate Orange (a delicious combination of Baileys, chocolate and orange liqueur, £7).
The bar is staffed by an army of fun-loving attendants to ensure you have a good time and there are heated booths where you can sit back and enjoy the atmosphere safe from the winter chill.
There are plenty more bars and restaurants at Liverpool One, including Chaophraya – a contemporary Thai restaurant which overlooks the Palm Sugar Bar at Kenyons Steps. The venue opened in 2008 as part of the Capital of Culture regeneration.
Of course, we couldn’t leave Liverpool without visiting the docks, which are currently hosting an Ice Festival at Pier Head, featuring an ice rink and ice slide.
There are fairground rides and stalls, too, plus an Après Lodge Liverpool One’s Christmas tree where you can enjoy a mulled wine or hot chocolate.
It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the festivities with the River Mersey and Royal Liver Building providing a spectacular backdrop.
The UNESCO World Heritage site, which includes the Albert Dock, features an illuminated Christmas clock in the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Building, counting down to the big day.
The dock is packed full of culture with museums devoted to all things maritime, the Tate Liverpool art gallery and, of course, there’s The Beatles Story and a Magical Mystery Tour, which can take you to Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields.
It’s a fab way to get in to the Christmas spirit in this magical city.