August 1, 2025 • 8 mins
"Tucked between North Wales and the serene good looks of the Lake District, gritty, vital Liverpool provides an indelible and grounded dose of "real" urban England. It proved to be one of my favourite destinations on my whistle-stop romp with Trafalgar’s Real Britain tour. Yes, Beatles fans flock to Liverpool to learn about the Fab Four's early days, but the city’s appeal extends far beyond those towering music legends."
Read Mike's full article here.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack team podcast
from News Talks at be.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Mike Yrdley is our travel correspondent.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
More Dinner, Good morning Jack. Now you've got to shout
out in christ Church. Last night I went to a
night at the Conclave which featured Cardinal John Joe sort
of like talking about all the workings a few months
ago in Rome. And yes, and you're a fantastic interview
(00:35):
with the cardinal. What was mentioned? So bravo bravo. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Yeah, well I'll always you know, take being mentioned in
that kind of and that kind of context to Mike,
as you know, we can usually get mentioned for far
worse things, So that's that's great. How was the night?
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Yeah, fabulous, just so down to worth. I think that's
what really blew people away. You know, you'd think, oh, yeah,
this might be some sort of frosty, stolid sort of Yeah. Yeah,
it was just so casual and real. It was just fantastic.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Oh wonderful. What a good thing to have done. And
great that they're kind of getting out on the road,
you know and explaining the stuff, giving people, you know,
very making things as approachable as possible. How interesting. Hey, anyway,
we're turning our attention to Liverpool in the UK. I've
never been always wanted to go, so very much interested
in your recommendations this morning, and you've been doing a
bit of a kind of swing around the UK for
(01:28):
us in the last few weeks. Why did Liverpool, of
all places win you over?
Speaker 3 (01:33):
I reckon after London, Jack, this is England's best big city,
and the reason being, first of all, you've got this
really striking mishmash of older new architecture and it definitely
feels like a city that's being regenerated. I love how
Liverpool bears its soul, you know, it celebrates its pride,
it expresses its pains in terms of history and terrible events.
(01:58):
It just is a really charismatic sort of place, gritty, vital, grounded.
And the thing that I noticed is act you have
to spend a couple of days in Liverpool to get
a real flavor of real urban England and that Scouse spirit,
that really earthy assert of charm of the Liverpool Lands.
Just an amazing place.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Nice. So what are the headline sits on the Beatles parade?
Speaker 3 (02:22):
Yeah, well there's no avoiding Beetlemania. Are several museums. Then
you've got the magical mystery tour to a swag of
pilgrimage sites like the boyhood homes of John and Paul.
I saw the alam eleanor Rigby Grave site in Saint
Peter's churchyard and that's actually where McCartney and Lenin first
met at a church fate. I saw Penny Lane where
(02:43):
the street signs have to be regularly replaced. The Strawberry
Field site that is so evocative now, these gardens, they
were like a place of peace and refuge for a
young John Lennon, and of course that gave rise to
another Beetles anthem. So yeah, so much to explore.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Ah, yeah, that's it. I'm embarrassed to say that, naively.
I thought The Strawberry was written after the Strawberry Fields
in Central Park in New.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
York, US front Yeah, so yeah. Strawberry Field was actually
was given to the Salvation Army about a century ago
in Liverpool and it was like a place for destitute children,
vulnerable children. And then the gardens were often like a
playground for a lot of people living, a lot of
kids living in Liverpool, including John Lennon.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Yeah, okay, very good, Oh nice So where is the
Cavin Club located?
Speaker 3 (03:38):
Yes, Matthew Street and it's amazing. Jack. I felt a
bit like I did when I first went to Beal
Street in Memphis. So it's this narrow bar lined street,
Matthew Street, ground zero for Beatles fans. That's where the
original Kevin Club was located. It's gone, but they have
built a mock up of the historic night spot a
(04:00):
few doors down from where it was originally located. The
other cool thing right across from the club, the Wall
of Fame. Jerry Marsden created this and every brick represents
an artist or band who played at the original Kevin Club.
All the rebuilt club and my god, it's like a
who's who of music. Royalty Adele, Suzi Quatro, Oasis, Jim Morrison,
(04:24):
you name them, they've been there. It's just incredible.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
Nice. So Royal Albert Dock has been transformed for tourists
as well. What's worth exploring.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Yeah, those mighty red brick warehouses are now mainly used
as museum spaces and they've got some incredible museums. The
Maritime Museum. It dives deep into eight hundred years of
proud seafaring history. And then nearby the International Slavery Museum,
which does not flinch from fronting up to Liverpool's role
(04:54):
in the African slave trade. I took this awesome stroll
along the harbor Front, gazing across the Mersey all the
way to peer a Head, which is home to that
creamy cluster of Edwardian building known as the Three Graces
in Liverpool. In the middle one is the original world
headquarters for qune Ard Lines. So yeah, there was just
some stunning history to soak up.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Did you come across any New Zealand connections.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Yeah, we'll go back to the nineteenth and twentieth century
and Liverpool of course was the major gateway for British
and Irish immigrants, so heading off to begin new lives
in the New World, including New Zealand. And just to
block back from the Harbor Front, I actually spotted this
sullen old stone building emblazoned with New Zealand House on
its exterior. So back in the day its core business
(05:41):
was migration and meat. Today Jack it is still a
meat market of swords. Hooters has taken up residents on
the ground floor.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
I just said this moment of panic as I wondered
where you were going to go with that.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Oh that's so funny, how incredible? Yeah, and so what
is it about the churches in Liverpool that make them
so popular.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
With the Yeah, I've got two showstoppers. First of all,
the Anglican Cathedral is the UK's biggest religious building. It's
a behemoth with the heaviest and highest bells in the world.
And the chap who designed it, SAJAIRA Scott, also created
Britain's iconic red telephone box and his grandfather Kiwi connection
Here designed christ Church Cathedral. But even more compelling Jack
(06:30):
Saint Luke's bombed out Church. That's what it's called, and
that's exactly what you see. It was decapitated during the
Blitz and it's been left hollowed out and roofless ever since.
So it's now this open air performance space which is
a stunning spot to catch some local culture. They have
all sorts of things on there all the time.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Oh nice. Well, any memorable hospitality highlights for you.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
Well, aside from footing at Anfield, an unrivaled cultural experience
with the locals is to take a pub crawl in
the stately streets of the Georgia and Quarter and it's amazing.
Liverpool has a massive Irish population, so the vibe is
so similar to being in Dublin's Temple Bar district. The
(07:16):
pub to end all pubs, I'd have to say, it's
a place called the Philharmon Dining Rooms. I couldn't believe
this place. It would be the most palatial pub I
have ever encountered. And the means lose the urinals are
made of pink marble.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Oh my gosh, that's ridiculous. I have good though, the
problem is that you're sort of inviting people to start
photographing them and no one needs that.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
That's true.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Yeah, So what would it be like? Half an hour
from Manchester?
Speaker 3 (07:46):
Would right?
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Half an hour? Twenty minutes. Yeah, it's pretty close.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
Pretty much grab a fury across the Moosey jet, yeah
of course. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
Well, given I'm a Liverpool fan, I want to make
sure I'm on the right side of it. Hey, thank you,
that sounds sounds fantastic. I'm digging the envious. Like I said,
some top tips there, Mike. We'll make sure that all
Mike's advice for tripping through Liverpool is up on the
news Talk z'b website.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
For more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame, Listen live
to News Talk ZEDB from nine am Saturday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack team podcast
from News Talks at be.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Mike Yrdley is our travel correspondent.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
More Dinner, Good morning Jack. Now you've got to shout
out in christ Church. Last night I went to a
night at the Conclave which featured Cardinal John Joe sort
of like talking about all the workings a few months
ago in Rome. And yes, and you're a fantastic interview
(00:35):
with the cardinal. What was mentioned? So bravo bravo. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Yeah, well I'll always you know, take being mentioned in
that kind of and that kind of context to Mike,
as you know, we can usually get mentioned for far
worse things, So that's that's great. How was the night?
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Yeah, fabulous, just so down to worth. I think that's
what really blew people away. You know, you'd think, oh, yeah,
this might be some sort of frosty, stolid sort of Yeah. Yeah,
it was just so casual and real. It was just fantastic.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Oh wonderful. What a good thing to have done. And
great that they're kind of getting out on the road,
you know and explaining the stuff, giving people, you know,
very making things as approachable as possible. How interesting. Hey, anyway,
we're turning our attention to Liverpool in the UK. I've
never been always wanted to go, so very much interested
in your recommendations this morning, and you've been doing a
bit of a kind of swing around the UK for
(01:28):
us in the last few weeks. Why did Liverpool, of
all places win you over?
Speaker 3 (01:33):
I reckon after London, Jack, this is England's best big city,
and the reason being, first of all, you've got this
really striking mishmash of older new architecture and it definitely
feels like a city that's being regenerated. I love how
Liverpool bears its soul, you know, it celebrates its pride,
it expresses its pains in terms of history and terrible events.
(01:58):
It just is a really charismatic sort of place, gritty, vital, grounded.
And the thing that I noticed is act you have
to spend a couple of days in Liverpool to get
a real flavor of real urban England and that Scouse spirit,
that really earthy assert of charm of the Liverpool Lands.
Just an amazing place.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Nice. So what are the headline sits on the Beatles parade?
Speaker 3 (02:22):
Yeah, well there's no avoiding Beetlemania. Are several museums. Then
you've got the magical mystery tour to a swag of
pilgrimage sites like the boyhood homes of John and Paul.
I saw the alam eleanor Rigby Grave site in Saint
Peter's churchyard and that's actually where McCartney and Lenin first
met at a church fate. I saw Penny Lane where
(02:43):
the street signs have to be regularly replaced. The Strawberry
Field site that is so evocative now, these gardens, they
were like a place of peace and refuge for a
young John Lennon, and of course that gave rise to
another Beetles anthem. So yeah, so much to explore.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
Ah, yeah, that's it. I'm embarrassed to say that, naively.
I thought The Strawberry was written after the Strawberry Fields
in Central Park in New.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
York, US front Yeah, so yeah. Strawberry Field was actually
was given to the Salvation Army about a century ago
in Liverpool and it was like a place for destitute children,
vulnerable children. And then the gardens were often like a
playground for a lot of people living, a lot of
kids living in Liverpool, including John Lennon.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Yeah, okay, very good, Oh nice So where is the
Cavin Club located?
Speaker 3 (03:38):
Yes, Matthew Street and it's amazing. Jack. I felt a
bit like I did when I first went to Beal
Street in Memphis. So it's this narrow bar lined street,
Matthew Street, ground zero for Beatles fans. That's where the
original Kevin Club was located. It's gone, but they have
built a mock up of the historic night spot a
(04:00):
few doors down from where it was originally located. The
other cool thing right across from the club, the Wall
of Fame. Jerry Marsden created this and every brick represents
an artist or band who played at the original Kevin Club.
All the rebuilt club and my god, it's like a
who's who of music. Royalty Adele, Suzi Quatro, Oasis, Jim Morrison,
(04:24):
you name them, they've been there. It's just incredible.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (04:27):
Nice. So Royal Albert Dock has been transformed for tourists
as well. What's worth exploring.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Yeah, those mighty red brick warehouses are now mainly used
as museum spaces and they've got some incredible museums. The
Maritime Museum. It dives deep into eight hundred years of
proud seafaring history. And then nearby the International Slavery Museum,
which does not flinch from fronting up to Liverpool's role
(04:54):
in the African slave trade. I took this awesome stroll
along the harbor Front, gazing across the Mersey all the
way to peer a Head, which is home to that
creamy cluster of Edwardian building known as the Three Graces
in Liverpool. In the middle one is the original world
headquarters for qune Ard Lines. So yeah, there was just
some stunning history to soak up.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Did you come across any New Zealand connections.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Yeah, we'll go back to the nineteenth and twentieth century
and Liverpool of course was the major gateway for British
and Irish immigrants, so heading off to begin new lives
in the New World, including New Zealand. And just to
block back from the Harbor Front, I actually spotted this
sullen old stone building emblazoned with New Zealand House on
its exterior. So back in the day its core business
(05:41):
was migration and meat. Today Jack it is still a
meat market of swords. Hooters has taken up residents on
the ground floor.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
I just said this moment of panic as I wondered
where you were going to go with that.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Oh that's so funny, how incredible? Yeah, and so what
is it about the churches in Liverpool that make them
so popular.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
With the Yeah, I've got two showstoppers. First of all,
the Anglican Cathedral is the UK's biggest religious building. It's
a behemoth with the heaviest and highest bells in the world.
And the chap who designed it, SAJAIRA Scott, also created
Britain's iconic red telephone box and his grandfather Kiwi connection
Here designed christ Church Cathedral. But even more compelling Jack
(06:30):
Saint Luke's bombed out Church. That's what it's called, and
that's exactly what you see. It was decapitated during the
Blitz and it's been left hollowed out and roofless ever since.
So it's now this open air performance space which is
a stunning spot to catch some local culture. They have
all sorts of things on there all the time.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
Oh nice. Well, any memorable hospitality highlights for you.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
Well, aside from footing at Anfield, an unrivaled cultural experience
with the locals is to take a pub crawl in
the stately streets of the Georgia and Quarter and it's amazing.
Liverpool has a massive Irish population, so the vibe is
so similar to being in Dublin's Temple Bar district. The
(07:16):
pub to end all pubs, I'd have to say, it's
a place called the Philharmon Dining Rooms. I couldn't believe
this place. It would be the most palatial pub I
have ever encountered. And the means lose the urinals are
made of pink marble.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Oh my gosh, that's ridiculous. I have good though, the
problem is that you're sort of inviting people to start
photographing them and no one needs that.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
That's true.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
Yeah, So what would it be like? Half an hour
from Manchester?
Speaker 3 (07:46):
Would right?
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Half an hour? Twenty minutes. Yeah, it's pretty close.
Speaker 3 (07:50):
Pretty much grab a fury across the Moosey jet, yeah
of course. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
Well, given I'm a Liverpool fan, I want to make
sure I'm on the right side of it. Hey, thank you,
that sounds sounds fantastic. I'm digging the envious. Like I said,
some top tips there, Mike. We'll make sure that all
Mike's advice for tripping through Liverpool is up on the
news Talk z'b website.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
For more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame, Listen live
to News Talk ZEDB from nine am Saturday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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