Grand Tour of Great Britain: York to Liverpool, Liverpool Cathedral, The Cavern

It's Saturday, October 14, 2017 and we're leaving York and heading to Liverpool. The map says it's about one and one half hours away.

On the coach Nick continues our history lessons with tales of Henry VI and his battle with Edward IV, brother to Richard III.

We pass through Leeds, the heart of England's industrial area. We pass through Manchester and watch the fog creep over the moors. Nick tells us of the Moors Murders.

Fog on the moors

The Moors murders were carried out by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley between July 1963 and October 1965, in and around Manchester, England. The victims were five children aged between 10 and 17—Pauline Reade, John Kilbride, Keith Bennett, Lesley Ann Downey and Edward Evans—at least four of whom were sexually assaulted. Two of the victims were discovered in graves dug on Saddleworth Moor; a third grave was discovered there in 1987, more than twenty years after Brady and Hindley's trial. The body of a fourth victim, Keith Bennett, is also suspected to be buried there, but despite repeated searches remains undiscovered.

The police were initially aware of only three killings, those of Edward Evans, Lesley Ann Downey and John Kilbride. The investigation was reopened in 1985, after Brady was reported in the press as having confessed to the murders of Pauline Reade and Keith Bennett. Brady and Hindley were taken separately to Saddleworth Moor to assist the police in their search for the graves, both by then having confessed to the additional murders.

On that happy note, we arrive at Liverpool Cathedral. Iomgen takes us around the cathedral.

She explains that Liverpool Cathedral is the Church of England Cathedral of the Diocese of Liverpool. It was built on St James's Mount  and is the seat of the Bishop of Liverpool. With pride she tells us that Liverpool Cathedral is the largest cathedral and religious building in Britain.

The cathedral is based on a design by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, and was constructed between 1904 and 1978. The total external length of the building, including the Lady Chapel (dedicated to the Blessed Virgin), is 207 yards (189 m) making it the longest cathedral in the world; its internal length is 160 yards (150 m).

We learn that In terms of overall volume, Liverpool Cathedral ranks as the fifth-largest cathedral in the world and contests with the incomplete Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City for the title of largest Anglican church building.

With a height of 331 feet (101 m) it is also one of the world's tallest non-spired church buildings and the third-tallest structure in the city of Liverpool. The cathedral is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.

The Anglican cathedral is one of two cathedrals in the city. The Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral of Liverpool is situated approximately half a mile to the north. The cathedrals are linked by Hope Street, which takes its name from William Hope, a local merchant whose house stood on the site now occupied by the Philharmonic Hall, and was named long before either cathedral was built.

We grab a bite to eat at the Cathedral Cafe-The Welsford. We both have the Welsh rarebit (melted cheese on toast); it was HUGE and delicious.

While waiting for the rest of our group to finish lunch, Jay and I decide to walk off some of our lunch with a stroll around the cemetery. We discover the graves of many children who died at the local orphanages.

We visit the Merseyside Maritime Museum and the Liverpool's International Slavery Museum. I meet Barbara Tasker, one of the women interviewed for the genealogy display, she's also a volunteer with the museum. She tells me (with great enthusiasm) all about her family history and then sends us on our way, telling us to research our families past. "Look to your roots! Do your research!"

We walk around the docks.

And finally check into our room at the Pullman, room 420!

Nick volunteers to take us for a drink at The Cavern before our "included dinner" at the hotel. The wait outside wasn't too long, maybe 15 minutes and after a quick beer, Jay and I head to TESCO for supplies and meet up with most of our crew at the dinner table.

We had a lovely dinner and topped it off with some yummy Crème Brûlée

So far, this is my favorite city and my favorite hotel. They have thought of everything to make your stay a fantastic experience.

Tomorrow we go on a Beatles Adventure for our last day in Liverpool.

Tons of photos of our journey from York to Liverpool: CLICK HERE



Grand Tour of Great Britain with Go Ahead Tours