This walk around Liverpool is about 5 miles (8 km) in length and takes in most of the main sights apart from the waterfront and downtown areas. It includes the cathedrals, the Georgian residential area, Liverpool University, the Museum area and Chinatown. The route is circular and you don't have to start where I do; Lime Street and Central Stations are on the route and the Central Bus Station is also handily situated on Paradise Street (left at the bottom of Church Street). The way is, of course, all on hard surfaces and will be hard on your feet as well if you don't wear something comfortable on them. Make a day of this walk to allow time to look around places of interest and stop for refreshment; don't miss the many excellent pubs en route, if you feel that way inclined.

The relevant Ordnance Survey 1:25000 Explorer map is No. 275. For further information on the locations visited, click on the images. See also ...

Start by the entrance [1] to the Anglican Cathedral [2] at its northern end on Cathedral Gate off Upper Duke Street. Go down into St. James' Cemetery [3] by the creepy path that runs down to the left of the cathedral through a cutting and tunnel in the smoke-blackened sandstone, lined with gravestones. At the bottom, the Oratory is seen up on the left while the cathedral towers above on the right. Take the path through the cemetery, nowadays a shady and peaceful place with most of the gravestones removed to its periphery, to emerge at the far end on Upper Parliament Street. Turn left and then left again into Hope Street.

A short way along Hope Street, you get one of the best views of the Anglican Cathedral. Take the next right into Huskisson Street, with Gambier Terrace [4] lining the right side of Hope Street ahead, to enter the Georgian residential area with its grand terraces of town houses. Just along Huskisson Street on the left is Percy Street, one of the finest examples, all in sandstone.

Keep ahead along Huskisson Street, crossing Catherine Street, until you reach Falkner Square [5], a peaceful grassy space surrounded by mature trees and elegant Regency terraces, remarkably reminiscent of many London squares. Walk around the square and then return along Canning Street, where there is a fine view of the cathedral tower rising above the houses. Cross Catherine Street again and then turn right into Hope Street.

A short way along Hope Street on the left is Rice Street, where there is a curious little pub called Ye Cracke [6], well worth visiting. Ahead of you along Hope Street is an impressive view of the Metropolitan Cathedral. On the right at Myrtle Street is the Philharmonic Hall [7] and on the opposite corner [8] is one of Liverpool's most famous pubs, the Philharmonic Dining Rooms, another must see.

Turn right up Myrtle Street, then left into Mulberry Street, then right into Cambridge Street by the Cambridge pub. At the end is another elegant Georgian square, now part of Liverpool University, Abercromby Square [9]. Have a walk around and then exit at the opposite side onto Oxford Street. Walk down Oxford Street and turn right into Mount Pleasant. Directly opposite is the entrance to the Metropolitan Cathedral [10]. From the top of the steps there is a fine view back along Hope Street to the Anglican Cathedral. Head along Mount Pleasant until you reach Brownlow Hill, where Liverpool University's grand red-brick Victoria Building [11] stands on the oppostie corner. Cross over Brownlow Hill into Ashton Street and turn left through an archway into the secluded quadrangle at the rear of the Victoria Building. Go straight ahead and then bear round to the left to return to Brownlow Hill.

Walk down to the bottom of the hill where Mount Pleasant joins from the left. On your right at the junction is Liverpool's famous Adelphi Hotel [12] and opposite is Lewis's huge department store [13] with Jacob Epstein's bronze figure above the door. Turn right in front of the Adelphi along Lime Street, where you pass two magnificent Edwardian pubs, the Vines [14] and the Crown [15]. Further along is Lime Street Station [16] fronted by the vast former North Western Hotel building.

Cross Lime Street in front of the station to the first of Liverpool's famous group of neo-classical masterpieces, St. George's Hall [17]. Go up the steps and walk along the plateau towards Wellington's Column and the Steble Fountain.

In front of you is the magnificent array of buildings on William Brown Street. Going in order down the hill, these are: the County Sessions house [18] and Walker Art Gallery [19], the Picton Reading Room [20], the William Brown Library and the museum [21], and the museum extension and Central Technical School (now turned over to museum use).

Walk down William Brown Street and enter St. John's Gardens [22] on the left near the bottom of the hill. This is a pleasant open space in the city centre with a large collection of memorials and statues. Exit the gardens at the other side on St. John's Lane and cross over to a roadway on the left of a large hotel, which leads into Queen Square [23]. This is a new development with many restaurants and bars. Keep ahead to the bus station and cross over into Williamson Square [24] with the elaborate Playhouse theatre building on the left and a water sculpture in the centre. Cross the square diagonally to locate Tarleton Street at the opposite corner.

Go along Tarleton Street and near the end on the right is a fine old unspoilt pub, the Carnarvon Castle [25]. Turn left onto Church Street, one of the main shopping streets, and then immediately right into Church Alley, at the end of which is Bluecoat Chambers [26], a beautiful Queen Anne-style building and the oldest surviving building in the centre of the city. Retrace your steps and turn right up Church Street, crossing over into Bold Street at the top. On the left as you go up the hill is Central Station [27]. The top end of Bold Street is dominated by the tower of St. Luke's Church [28], bombed during World War II and preserved as a ruin.

When you reach St. Luke's, turn right into Berry Street. This is the start of Chinatown and at the end, at the junction with Upper Duke Street, you will see opposite the spectacular Chinese Arch [29] at the entrance to Nelson Street. Nelson Street is the current heart of Chinatown and there are many authentic restaurants and ethnic shops. Turn left up Upper Duke Street to reach your starting point by the Anglican Cathedral. On the left here is Rodney Street, Liverpool's Harley Street, with more fine Georgian town houses. It's been a long day, but what a city, eh?