Student guides

·

Advice for students seeking accommodation

More guides

Liverpool – City Guide

Liverpool – City Guide

Need a place to stay in Liverpool?

We have lots of available student accommodation in Liverpool.

HousesFlatsStudiosHalls

The City

“Liverpool always feels like such a familiar city. It’s got the perfect mix of a hectic metropolitan city like London, combined with some of the simple comforts of your hometown. It’s not so small that you’ll run out of things to do, but it’s not so big that you’ll have to rely on taxi’s all of the time. Named the European Cultural Capital in 2008, there is certainly something for everyone to enjoy.”

Things to do

Never a dull day (well not metaphorically anyway) there will always be something to do that will make you the envy of your friends.

  • Take a ride on the Mersey Ferry. This is the best way to see the city in all of its glory. Your very own panoramic postcard view of Liverpool, and it won’t hurt your student loan!
  • Granted the water has been kind and you’re not feeling too sea sick, enjoy a walk around the docks. Here you’ll find an array of museums, beautiful buildings, statues to take selfies with, and some breath-taking views. Tip- come here to watch a sunset.
  • Brave the Big Wheel. The London eye’s less expensive cousin, you won’t get a better view of Albert Dock (they do student discount and you can pay on card!)
  • Lose yourself on Bold Street. I’ve heard it be called ‘the real city centre of Liverpool’, packed with quirky shops from an independent book store, to a Friends themed Central Perk café, to vintage clothes stores. Bold Street caters for everyone.
  • In Probe Records on School Lane you can find what seems like every vinyl that has ever been produced.
  • Visit Liverpool’s choice of cathedrals. The Anglican towering above the gorgeous Georgian Quarter, or the Metropolitan Cathedral. Tip - visit the latter when it’s sunny and look up. You won’t be disappointed.
  • The Cavern Club. There’s no escaping The Beatles heritage that Liverpool is so proud of. Whether you’re a fan or not, this is not to be missed. You’ll learn to appreciate the lack of mobile phone signal down there.
  • If you’re bored of big buildings and large crowds, Liverpool has plenty of green spaces. Sefton Park which is situated in the student area between Wavertree and Toxteth is a beautiful place to spend the day.

Arts & Culture

There’s no escaping the fact that Liverpool is associated with glamour and clubbing, but don’t let this fool you. There are plenty of places to immerse yourself in its culturally ingrained history. From its associations with RMS Titanic and The Beatles, there is a lot to be learned about this city within its own walls.

  • Merseyside Maritime Museum. Where else will you find that much alliteration? Interesting exhibits on the Titanic, a ‘seized gallery’, and a portion dedicated to the history of slavery which was the first of its kind in the world.
  • Museum of Liverpool. One of the funkiest pieces of architecture Liverpool has to offer, and you learn something new every time you visit for free!
  • The Beatles Story is an absolute must. The price might deter you at first, but you won’t find a more comprehensive experience anywhere else. If you don’t go for The Beatles, go for the airplane simulator and the mirrors in the Yellow Submarine section.

Fancy yourself an arts enthusiast?

  • Visit the Walker Art Gallery. If the stunning building somehow isn’t enough to draw you in, then the exhibits will be. They’re always being updated so this isn’t a one trip experience.
  • The Tate. If you’re all about contemporary art, this is the place to be.
  • FACT Foundation for Art and Creative Technology. This is a gallery that supports the production of media, film and art and doubles as a cinema.

Just want so sit back and soak up some entertainment?

  • Head to the Everyman Theatre. From productions of classic literary drama to adaptations and upcoming young artists, the Everyman and Playhouse offer a bit of everything.
  • The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic mixes up classical music with contemporary culture. There is even a screening of E.T. The Extra-terrestrial with a live orchestra to accompany it.
  • Laughterhouse Comedy. It really is a gem, and you will leave aching from laughter.

Music and nightlife

It doesn’t get any better than Liverpool for so little money. The choices are endless with dozens of student bars scattered around Liverpool.

  • 02 Academy Liverpool. The place to be to see big named artists.
  • The Echo Arena down at the docks is always billed with huge bands on sell out tours.
  • If you’re looking for something a little more niche, look no further than the Williamson Tunnels. Guaranteed sell out events from grime, garage and dance artists.
  • Sound City is Liverpool’s own music festival.

Gone are the days of a single day of the week being dedicated to students. Student night is every night for many of Liverpool’s nightclubs.

  • Monday nights are Raz nights. Hosted by The Blue Angel which has seen the likes of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones in the 60’s, the music ranges from charts, to Indie, to cheesy pop. It has its own drinks such as ‘Raz bombs’ and even its own merchandise.
  • Tuesdays are for Bumper. Now hosted by The Legion of Lost Souls, this is the place to be if you love RnB and Hip Hop.
  • Wednesdays will forever be associated with Level. Liverpool’s super club houses 3 floors, each dedicated to a different style of music. Chart and dance music, RnB, and cheesy pop there’s something for every taste.
  • Thursdays are for Juicy. In The Merchant you will find all things RnB and dancehall. If you’re feeling adventurous, head to Garlands for Solar Thursdays.
  • If you’re still going for the weekend then you have serious dedication to Medication. Hosted by The Arts Club, ‘Med’ is always a big night on a Friday.
  • The clubs and bars in Concert Square are open all week. Modo, McCooleys, Soho and Walkabout are great for a cheap night.

Liverpool is not short of bars.

  • The Jacaranda is an iconic venue with a great atmosphere.
  • Alma De Cuba is a restaurant and bar that was a former 18th Century Catholic Church.
  • Bierkeller which is situated in between the docks and Liverpool One is home to American themed pool bar Shooters, and the Bavarian beer bar Bierkeller.

Places to eat

Unfortunately you will always have the dilemma of not knowing where to eat. You are spoilt for choice on whatever budget in Liverpool.

Look no further for the place to take your parents or your friends when they visit.

  • The Leaf on Bold Street is perfect for that touch of class.
  • Wildwood Kitchen on Church Street boasts a great range of food from pizzas to pastas and everything in between.
  • Miller & Carter is perfect for steak.
  • The Old Blind School is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a grand old school building tucked up in the university section of Liverpool.

If you’re looking for the best Italian food, Liverpool will not disappoint you.

  • Villa Romana can be overlooked as it is situated so close to Concert Square, it is such a hidden gem. Authentic, freshly prepared Italian food.
  • Jamie’s Italian on the aptly named Paradise Street. Jamie Oliver’s owned Italian restaurant.
  • Trattoria 51 on Old Hall Street is perfect for traditional Italian dining. It has an authentic feeling, in an old Victorian building.

You are never more than a stone’s throw away from a student friendly hang out spot.

  • The Hope & Anchor in the student area Mount Pleasant is the perfect place to de-stress with great pub food and live sports.
  • The Brookhouse on Smithtown Road does daily deals on all your favourite pub food.
  • 81 Renshaw Street is an artsy café that has a Free Cake Friday and insanely cheap breakfasts.
  • Students looking for a post-deadline cool down meal, or a post-night out takeaway look no further than Nabzys. The main Leece Street branch does a student friendly £3.99 pizza meal deal. You won’t be disappointed.

If you’re in the city centre or down at the docks, you’ll find some of Liverpool’s signature dining spots.