Visiting England in early April may not sound like the most appetizing of venues for world travelers but it can provide one of the most fascinating experiences if you know where to go. Liverpool is a hive of activity at the best of times but if you coincide your visit with the Grand National, then you have an exhilarating weekend on your hands.
Even people who are not fans of horse racing can enjoy the spectacle of a race. It’s a British tradition to sit down and watch the event every year. The horse racing fanatics will track the runners and riders’ progress over the course of the season in anticipation of the event. However, the casual fan can participate in a punt or two, especially in the confines of Aintree Racecourse.
The racecourse holds a special atmosphere with the quiet build-up before the roar of the 70,000 spectators cheering on their horse. It’s certainly worth a trip to Liverpool and you can even make your money back on your ticket or even the trip itself by backing the right horse. By following Oddchecker’s tips for the Grand National, you can evaluate the competitors before choosing your horse to back for the event. Even the old random choice can work out, as 66/1 outsider Rule The World won the National in 2016, proving that punting can be just as much as luck than skill.
A day at the races is entertaining but there’s still the question of how else to fill your time if you’re there for the weekend. Music lovers will relish the numerous Beatles’ tours that are available. The Beatles Story offers several exhibits into the history of the world’s most famous band, tracking their formation all the way to their acrimonious split. Alternatively, you can visit the place yourself where it all started for The Beatles by taking the trip the Casbah Coffee Club, featuring the story of Pete Best – the drummer of the band for two years before the days of Ringo Starr.
Arguably the most famous site of the city is Anfield Stadium. Liverpool Football Club are one of the most famous teams in the world due to their prowess on the pitch along with one of the most heartbreaking incidents in the history of English sport. A trip to the stadium is a must even just to see the ground and the touching Hillsborough Memorial, paying tribute to the 96 Liverpool supporters that were killed during the 1992 FA Cup semi-final while attending the club’s fixture in Sheffield.
There are ample museums to visit to embrace the culture of the city, including the Merseyside Maritime Museum, highlighting Liverpool’s important to the shipbuilding business. It also includes the story of the most famous ocean liner in the world – Titanic – and Liverpool’s role in its story. Not far behind Titanic was the Lusitania in terms of ill-fated fame – with the museum offering an exhibit of the seamen that perished in the sinking of the ship during the First World War.
The city’s diversity offers enough for a wide range of interests and should definitely be considered on a weekend trip, especially in the first week of April.