The Sunday Times recently published a supplement entitled, ‘The Best Places to live in Britain’. Here is what they said about the great city that is Liverpool!

‘Liverpool’s status as a Unesco World Heritage Site places it alongside Venice, Cuzco and Valparaiso. Most born-and-bred Scousers would say it tops that list. The ranking is based on an area running from Albert Dock through the historic commercial district of Ropewalks and on to the William Brown Street conservation area, all dramatically transformed into lively 21^st – century destinations.

The arts scene is thrumming: this year sees the latest Liverpool Biennial, the second International Music Festival and Liverpool Sound City, its urban equivalent. The Everyman theatre has just reopened after a 27m rebuild, and George Osbourne guaranteed £270m for the new Mersey Gateway bridge in the recent budget.

The once neglected city-centre shopping area is now home to the Liverpool One complex and the more niche Cavern Walks and Metquarter centres, where business is boosted by the Wags of the city’s two Premier League teams

Away from the centre, Liverpool has 26 parks and 43 outdoor playgrounds, as well as its waterfront walks. Most commuting is still within the city; favoured areas include Aigburth, nine minutes to the centre by Merseyrail; and, for families, Allerton and Woolton, south eastern suburbs divided by Calderstones Park. Commuters can reach the city from nearby Liverpool South Parkway in 14 minutes.

Why it’s great: The Mersey beat is stronger than ever.

Best of both worlds: Sefton Park is a leafy suburb with a 235 acre park whose bandstand reputedly inspired the Beatles to create Sgt Pepper. It’s best known for Lark Lane’s shops and restaurants, and the city centre is seven minutes away by Merseyrail.

Port Sunlight, the 19^th century model village in Wirral, is a conservation area with 900 grade II listed properties, green spaces and the Lady Lever Art Gallery. It’s a 20 minute train journey from Lime Street.

At Blundellsands, part of Merseyside’s Crosby Village, 21 minutes away, you’ll find a beach and the sculptor Antony Gormley’s Another Place installation.’

This article was published in The Sunday Times on March 23 2014

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