Although having lived in the UK for more than eight years we haven’t really seen much of what the country has to offer. So we were pretty excited when we were invited by Virgin Trains to go on a ‘Where’s Wally’ trip to Liverpool for the day, travelling First Class.
We met the pr team and fellow bloggers in the Virgin Trains First Class lounge in London Euston in the morning. The stylish lounge, situated on the 1st floor in the train station, is offering a place to relax before your journey. After a short meet and greet we searched the stations for Wally’s before boarding our train.
Having never been on a Virgin Train before, nor to Liverpool, we were quite exited!
Little A was even shown the cockpit by the train driver.
The train ride itself was very smooth and comfortable, although the train in travelling up to 125mph! The first class couches offering lots of space to stretch out and unwind with comfortable seats, lights creating a cozy ambience and easy access to toilet faclities.
A big pluss when travelling first class is that meals and drinks are being served free of charge, with the service onboard being very friendly and efficient. There’s free wifi as well – but I recommend rather to take some time off – sit back and watch the english countryside pass by.
The girls enjoying the train ride
Beautiful view of the english country side passing by…
Quite relaxing indeed. And before you know it, you are in Liverpool.
Liverpool is known for it’s maritime history as well as being the hometown of The Beatles. Today, ferries cruise the waterfront, where the iconic shipping and mercantile buildings have been restored and the former warehouses have been converted into attractive museums, hotels and restaurants.
Liverpool, a diverse and intersting city.
The train station is in the middle of the city, just a stroll away from the dockside and the museums. We went to the Tate Gallery after having had lunch in the recently developed Liverpool ONE area. We also had a look at the World Museum, located in a historical building surrounded by a wild flower meadow. It’s clear that this is a city in transition, with lots to offer. But we are most taken by its rich history, dating back to the 13th century, making Liverpool a place definitely worth visiting.
In Liverpool the buses are blue and the bicycles green.
We enjoyed lunch at Pizza Express.
Beautiful Albert Dock in Liverpool
Kids in Museums – never wrong!
Five-man Pedersen bicycle, Danish design, spotted in the Tate
Visiting Tate Gallery is a must when in Liverpool.
Virgin Trains is currently having a fun competition on; a nationwide “Where’s Wally? Hunt” to encourage families to get out and about this summer. 100 Wallys are hidden in train station all over the country. And it’s pretty straight forward. Find a Wally, note down the location. Then snap a picture of yourself with a Wally on the route. Tweet the total number of Wallys you’ve found to @VirginTrains using the hashtag #FoundWally or enter via the Virgin Trains Facebook page by August 31 – and you can be the lucky winner of a luxury Virgin Trains weekend escape to London that includes tickets to such attractions as the London Eye and Madame Tussaud’s. More info at virgintrains.co.uk
Fellow blogger, Becky from the Spirited Puddle Jumper, taking a picture of her son for the ‘Where’s Wally’ competition in Liverpool
Liverpool is the 6th most visited city in the UK and among the top 100 visited cities in the world. With so much to do and discover we’d recommend staying the night, before returning to London.
Where to stay
Converted Maritime Warehouse – The Titanic Hotel Liverpool
Rooms replicating the cabins of the Titanic – 30 James Street Hotel
In addition, there’s several options available through Airbnb.com and also a few traditional B&B’s.
What to do
Visiting the childhood home of Paul McCartney and John Lennon.
Explore the museums; from the Merseyside Maritime Museum to the Tate Gallery on the dock.
The best ‘what to do’ guide found online is Liverpool Off The Beaten Track by Tripadvisor with everything from a underground tunnel system that stretches underneath the city to visiting the Grand Central, an archade filled with independent shops.
How to get there
2 1/2 hour from London Euston, with Virgin Trains, prices from £15.
Exhibition on now: ‘On their own: Britain’s child migrants’ at the Merseyside Maritime Museum