Liverpool

Whether they take the ferry cross the Mersey or a stroll down Penny Lane, most visitors will find it difficult to explore Liverpool without a song on their lips. From the Twin Cathedrals with their striking views over the city to the historical, Grade 1-listed Albert Dock and its Beatles museum, there’s certainly plenty to see and do in Liverpool. Famous for football, music and shipping, Liverpool has steadily increased in popularity with tourists over the last decade.

An important maritime centre and industrial port, Liverpool was one of the great cities of the United Kingdom during the Industrial Revolution, and much of its wealth came from its dominance in the shipping of textiles, cotton, sugar, and slaves.

The city was severely bombed in World War II and has struggled to get back on its feet, experiencing alternating waves of prosperity and depression. The 1960s saw the explosion of the Beatles and pop music, while the 1990s saw an attempt to regenerate the urban centre.

Liverpool’s waterfront is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city has achieved World Heritage Status, joining Edinburgh and Bath as the only UK cities to carry the honour. Millions of pounds were poured into the development of the city when Liverpool was announced as the European Capital of Culture for 2008, including the £920 million Paradise Street development in the city centre.

Climate for Liverpool

Liverpool’s climate is typical of the United Kingdom; fairly mild yet highly unpredictable with a mixture of rainy, sunny, windy and cloudy days all year round. Summers, between June and August, are usually warm and sunny, while winters, between December and February, are cold and wet. Temperatures average around 68F (20C) in summer and 39F (4C) in winter. As with most of the UK, the most popular time to visit Liverpool is in late-spring and summer, although early-autumn can also be pleasant.

Health Notes when travelling to United Kingdom

There are no specific health risks associated with travel to the UK and food and water can be considered safe. The British National Health Service is excellent, while a number of countries have reciprocal health agreements with the UK including Australia, New Zealand and EU countries. Visitors from other countries such as Canada, South Africa and the United States are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance.

Safety Notes when travelling to United Kingdom

It is generally safe to travel throughout the UK.

Customs in United Kingdom

Handshaking is customary when introduced to someone new. Smoking is banned in all enclosed public spaces, including pubs, restaurants and public transport. Queue barging is frowned upon and there is strict etiquette on escalators: stand on the right, walk on the left. Visitors may find Londoners more rushed and less friendly than locals in other parts of the country, particularly on London transport, where tourists are often the only people who talk.

Duty Free in United Kingdom

Travellers can bring the following goods into the UK tax or duty free: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco, 18 litres of still table wine, 42 litres of beer, 4 litres of spirits or strong liqueurs or 9 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine or other alcoholic beverages of less than 22 per cent volume. The EU Pet Travel Regulation (Regulation (EU) 576/2013) continues to apply to travel between Northern Ireland, EU Member States and third countries.

Doing Business in United Kingdom

The four countries of the United Kingdom, although culturally and historically different, generally keep to the same business practices. Politeness and punctuality are key to good business relations and initial meetings are often conducted formally and impersonally, becoming more open and social as things progress. Business cards are exchanged at introductions, and dress is formal with dark suits preferred. Business hours are generally 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken at lunch.

The communication style can be difficult to adjust to: the British people respect politeness to a point that often obscures their ability to say exactly what they mean. As a result, travelling business people may need to learn to ‘read between the lines’ and to take cues from tone of voice and facial expression. Humour is also an integral part of the British system of communication, and is used to diffuse a tense situation and to cultivate relationships. Foreigners should never assume that an attempt at humour undermines a person’s ability to do their job, or discredits the importance they attach to a deal or negotiation. Furthermore, they shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that the British propensity for irony and sarcasm equates with an informal work environment.

Foreigners should be tactful during meetings, avoid becoming emotional and illustrate their experience with the subject at hand. Performance and initiative are looked upon favourably, whereas academic pretension is given far less credence. Meetings are often used as platforms for debate, rather than moments of confirmation, so there should be no surprise if not much progress is made. Foreigners should be sure to respect and appeal to all parties involved, as the British have recently begun to take a far flatter approach to management and the responsibility of decision-making. And if things go well, it’s worth purchasing a pint or two for clients or colleagues; though gifts are borderline inappropriate, a round of drinks will rarely be refused.

Communication in United Kingdom

The international country dialling code for the UK is +44. Mobile phone coverage is extensive and free WiFi is widely available in pubs and coffee shops.

Tipping in United Kingdom

Tips of 10 to 15 percent are expected in restaurants and upmarket hotels in the UK if a service charge hasn’t been included. Hotel service staff receive an optional amount, while taxi drivers are usually given 10 to 15 percent of the fare. Tipping bartenders isn’t expected, and tipping for other services is discretionary.

Passport/Visa Note

If a visa is not required, travellers should hold a return or onward ticket, or proof of funds for the duration of stay. Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay in the UK; nationals of the EU require a passport valid on arrival. It is highly recommended that travellers’ passports have at least six months’ validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources. For visitors who are visa exempt up to a maximum stay of 6 months, the period of stay will be determined by the Immigration Officer on arrival.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for Americans:

US travellers must hold a passport that is valid for the duration of their stay; a visa is not required for stays of up to six months.

Entry requirements for Canadians:

Canadian passports must be valid for at least the expected duration of the stay. No visa is required for stays of six months or less.

Entry requirements for UK nationals:

Entry requirements for Australians:

Australian passports must be valid for at least six months after the departure date. No visa is required for stays of six months or less.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals:

Under the Common Travel Area agreement, citizens from the UK and Ireland are not required to pass through passport control. They can travel between both countries without a valid passport if they can prove they are a valid UK or Irish national.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders:

New Zealand nationals must hold a valid passport, but no visa is required for stays of up to 6 months.

Entry requirements for South Africans:

South Africans require a valid passport and a visa for entry or transit through the UK. South African temporary passports are not recognised.

Liverpool is pedestrian-friendly, and visitors can enjoy many of the city’s sights and sounds on foot, but taxis, buses, and trains are also readily available. An underground system operates between the city’s four main train stations.

The Live Smart ticket, which can be bought online, offers free travel on two major bus lines as well as discounted entries into various attractions and is a good purchase for tourists. The city is relatively easy to negotiate by car, and there are several car rental agencies available.

A great way to explore the city and its surrounds at a leisurely pace is on the Mersey Ferry. A regular service links Liverpool’s Pier Head to neighbouring Birkenhead on the Wirral. Uber and similar mobile app based taxi services are available.