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Albert Dock Description: In the 19th century, the city of Liverpool was a flourishing export and passenger port, employing thousands of workers from around Britain and Ireland. With the decline of the British Empire and the subsequent decrease in trade between Britain and its overseas markets after World War II, the area fell into disrepair until the city council embarked upon a major renewal project in the 1980s to restore the docks to their former glory and make them into a public recreation space. The centrepiece of this project is the Albert Dock, 3 hectares (7 acres) of water surrounded by renovated warehouses with iron colonnades. The warehouses have been converted into lively spaces for restaurants, shops and cafés, interspersed with museums chronicling the city’s contribution to British history and culture. The Beatles Story, dedicated to the famous Fab Four, is one of Liverpool’s top attractions, featuring a replica of the Cavern Club where the group performed in the early days alongside posters, personal memorabilia, and other displays; visitors can tour the museum to the accompaniment of a Beatles’ soundtrack. The history of the docks is told in the nearby Merseyside Maritime Museum, where there are also exhibitions on emigration, shipbuilding, the transatlantic slave trade and smuggling on the River Mersey. Opposite is the Museum of Liverpool Life, which showcases all aspects of life in the city, from its famous footballers and pop music tradition to working life at the docks and political radicalism. Finally, there is the Tate Gallery Liverpool, Britain’s largest gallery of contemporary art outside London, featuring displays of art from the Tate museums in London; collections include Emotional Ties, which examines human relationships, sculpture and prints by contemporary British artist William Tucker, and Surrealism and British Art in the 1930s. Contact Addresses: 22 Edward Pavilion, Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AF, UK Tel: (0151) 708 7334. Fax: (0151) 708 0929. E-mail: enquiries@albertdock.com Website: www.albertdock.com Transportation: Air: Liverpool Airport, Manchester Airport. Rail: Train: Liverpool Lime Street Station. Underground: James Street. Road: Bus: 222 or Smartbuses 1 or 4. Car: M62 (from Leeds, Bradford or Manchester); A1, then M62 (from Newcastle and the north); M1, then M62 (from London), then signs to Liverpool city centre and Albert Dock. Opening Times: The Beatles Story: Daily 1000-1700 (1 Nov-28 Feb); daily 1000-1800 (1 Mar-31 Oct). Merseyside Maritime Museum: Daily 1000-1700. Museum of Liverpool Life: Daily 1000-1700. Tate Liverpool: Tues-Sun 1000-1750. Closed Good Friday, 24-26 Dec and 1 Jan. Admission Fees: The Beatles Story: £7.95 (adult), £5.45 (child under 16). Concessions and family pass available. Merseyside Maritime Museum: Free. Museum of Liverpool Life: Free. Tate Liverpool: Free. 
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