As filming officially begins on The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event, Liverpool is once again seizing the global cultural spotlight. While the legendary Fab Four remain a permanent anchor for the destination, the Unesco City of Music is proving it has evolved far beyond its mid-century rock heritage.
From the launching of immersive new musical walking trails to a packed, summer-long festival calendar, Liverpool, the Merseyside coast, and the wider north-west of England are debuting a fresh, multi-dimensional tourism portfolio for 2026.
For travel advisors positioning the UK this summer, this packed itinerary seamlessly bridges Liverpool’s legendary pop legacy with the wider Merseyside coast and Manchester.
Day 1: Beating heart
Immerse clients in six decades of sound on the self-guided Liverpool Music Heritage Trail in the morning. Take lunch at the iconic Philharmonic pub, a favourite of John Lennon, famed for its historic architecture and classic pies. In the afternoon, explore the Ropewalks independent quarter. Stroll the boutiques of Bold Street, view the St Luke’s Bombed Out Church, and visit the Royal Albert Dock, home to The Beatles Story museum. Evenings are for catching the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in action. For example, their special Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban live-score performance on June 27.
Day 2: Coastal and wildlife
Board a 30-minute direct train north-west to the coastal village of Crosby. Walk the promenade to view Antony Gormley’s Another Place, an installation of 100 life-size cast-iron figures stretching into the Irish Sea. Follow with a harbour-view lunch at The Lake House. Continue 15 minutes further north by train to Formby. Guide clients through the National Trust reserve’s pine woodlands to spot rare native red squirrels or arrange a guided coastal walk to view prehistoric footprints and Victorian-era shipwrecks exposed by the shifting tides. Unwind at The Sparrowhawk, a characterful, traditional country gastropub in Formby.
Day 3: Manchester
Take a direct, sub-one-hour train to Manchester, the birthplace of Oasis and The Smiths. Book a bespoke, private Manchester Music Tour inside an electric black cab with local expert John to explore the city's defining indie landmarks.
Cap off the itinerary by catching a live gig at iconic independent venues like Night & Day or Band on the Wall.