St George's Quarter in Liverpool

What are the highlights of St George's Quarter in Liverpool?

The magnificent hall is considered one of the UK's finest examples of neoclassical architecture, and inside the imposing walls, the sumptuous interior wows visitors all year round. The 200-year-old building is home to an intricate mosaic floor which – for most of the year – is covered by a protective wooden barrier, but each summer the colourful Milton Tiles are revealed in all their splendour. The hall served as Liverpool's court of law since it opened in 1854, and today is a popular concert and performance venue.

To the west of St George's is the serene green space of St John's Gardens, with its tree-lined open spaces, large memorials, and grass verges. Adjacent to the gardens is the spectacular Liverpool Central Library – a beautifully restored and award-winning library that combines a grand, 19th-century exterior with a striking modern interior.

The library is home to thousands of books, as well as audiobooks, CDs and DVDs, and free-to-use computers and iPads. The building features a roof terrace providing open views of the city and includes a must-see Treasures Room which houses the rarer books in its collection.

Next door is the expansive and wildly entertaining World Museum, which manages to showcase a jaw-dropping selection of exhibits, artefacts, and activities from all corners of the globe, across far-reaching eras in history. The museum also includes a planetarium and aquarium, and skilfully covers the fields of archaeology, ethnology and the natural and physical sciences from under one roof.

The nearby Walker Art Gallery is one of the UK's largest art institutions and features a majestic collection of works from the medieval and renaissance periods through to modernist masterpieces. Here, visitors can view work from masters such as Monet, Degas and Cézanne, as well as contemporary pieces from the likes of the secretive urban artist, Banksy.

What else is there to do in St George's Quarter?

St George’s isn't just about history and academia though. The area is exceptionally well-equipped when it comes to the grease paint and bright lights of the stage, boasting no less than 3 theatres within a short walk of one another.

With its high ceilings and velvet red carpet, The Empire Theatre on Lime Street exudes a sense of grandeur. As one of the largest auditoriums in Britain, it regularly plays host to renowned West End shows, including classics such as Les Misérables and Chicago. Its Grand Salon Bar is open daily to those who wish to experience a taste of the theatre's opulence without taking in a show.

On Roe Street, you'll find the Royal Court, a lovingly restored theatre that prides itself on producing its own original shows featuring the best local talent, promising a complete theatre experience before, during and after the show.

If that wasn't enough, just on the edge of St George's Quarter is The Playhouse Theatre at Williamson Square, yet another remarkable theatre building offering an array of locally produced plays, shows and musicals.