Whilst it lacks the wow factor of her neon inside Liverpool Cathedral, Tracey Emin's Roman Standard…read moreis also worth seeking out. Her first piece of public art, it was installed in 2005 and consists of a tiny, life size bronze bird perched on top of a four metre pole outside the Oratory next to the Cathedral. Commissioned by the BBC, the sculpture reflects Emin's on-going fascination with birds and the belief that they represent strength and freedom. As the pole is centred behind the Oratory gates the Roman Standard seems to appear and disappear depending on where you stand, creating a feeling of mystery and ambiguity. Walk too far to the left and you could miss it altogether....

Some really beautiful pictures here…read more The independent art gallery specialises in historical and modern prints, originals, paintings and photographs. Specialists in images of Liverpool, shipping and sport. Images of Liverpool include Royal Liver Building, Albert Dock, Liverpool Overhead Railway and Antony Gormley's 'Another Place' Crosby Beach. Respected marine artists that they show include Gordon Ellis, Samuel Milton Brown, Brian Entwistle, Gordon Bauwens, Norman Colebourne and Les Cowle. Pic's of Liverpool and Everton football clubs are also stocked at Liverpool Pictures.

Liverpool Pictures is an independent art gallery selling prints of Liverpool, located on the Albert…read moreDocks, it's a great place for tourists and proud locals to pick up pictures as memories of the beautiful scenery in the surrounding Dock area and waterfront. They have great postcards for 60p and really cheap prints of the sunset over the mersey and the Three Graces. They also sell some rather interesting black and white prints of Old Liverpool so you can really see how the city has changed and developed over the years. It's a good little gallery that captures the essence of the 'pool in still life.

I was so excited to see that Liverpool had a Tate branch because I'm very aware of the London…read morelocation. It was so convenient that most of the museums were directly across the street from our Hilton hotel. This location is perfect most of the tourist spots were dotted all along the dock area here! It was a rainy day too so we were so lucky to be so close. After London we were so weary of cabs even though the most of the cabs are those vintage large black ones where your luggage can go at your feet. Most of the museums have had a donation box near the entrance/exit areas. This is smart because I definitely gave more on some occasions when we were thrilled with the exhibits. I actually tend to give more at the end of a visit instead of upfront. Some places ask straight away and some have a collection box near the exits. I think people are more generous after enjoying the museum fully. There were many beautiful exhibits inside. Many works associated with a "color" theme throughout the museum. I was very surprised to find pieces by Paul Klee and Pablo Picasso inside. Actually I had never seen this piece by Pablo and I loved it! His work is so different with each decade his style changed and evolved. If you travel to Liverpool I would highly suggest staying at the Hilton, all the museums are just a few blocks ahead to the port. Loved this Tate!

I was so excited to visit the Tate museum to see the Don McCullin exhibition that I had booked well…read morein advance. Don McCullin is a photographer that takes photos of war and famine and poverty, my type of photos of things that are real and hard hitting and it certainly didn't disappoint. The photos I saw were powerful and thought provoking and sometimes disturbing and I left in awe. The Tate museum and gallery in Liverpool is fantastic and well worth a visit put this on your itinerary.

FACT is easily one of the best things Liverpool has to offer, if not THE best thing…read more FACT is a combination of cinema, art gallery, exhibition space, bar, cafe and shop. Yes, all of that. The cinema is absolutely top notch, it is the best cinema I have ever visited. They show a good mix of both major releases and independent films. You'll find big blockbusters rubbings shoulders with arthouse movies, or Japanese animation. They even show classics from time to time. Perfect. The art exhibitions change on a regular basis so it's hard to specifically review those. My favourite in recent memory is the "History of Music Video" piece they had in, where you could go through the evolution of the medium. I spent ages in here and wrote down a good few obscure artists I hadn't heard of so I could check them out later. Anyway, the exhibitions are always fantastic and imaginative. The bar is also much-loved. It's a favourite hang-out spot of mine, even if I'm not in the building for anything else. It doesn't boast a HUGE range of drinks but the atmosphere is always nice, relaxed and friendly. The cafe downstairs is equally as good, especially lately as it's been re-done and now offers a bigger selection. I'm especially fond of the different green teas. Anyway, FACT is a must. It's essential. It is the heart of Liverpool.

FACT is fabulous - its only flaw being that it is in Liverpool and not Belfast! I discovered FACT…read morewhile visiting friends in Liverpool and it is without a doubt the best cinema I've ever been in. It shows a full range of film, both commercial and more obscure or 'arty' movies. One of its 4 cinema's has the best luxury sofa seating ever - it's so comfy. Plus there is a cafe/ bar and you can take your wine into the cinema screens to enjoy while you watch your movie. FACT = Foundation for Art and Creative Technology, so it's not just a cinema, it also has 3 art galleries showing various art exhibitions. FACT is an amazing arts centre - I want one in Belfast :-(

Are you lost? A stranger to these parts? In search of artistic stimulation or inspiration?…read more You've found yourself in the right place then. I didn't know this Service Station existed. You could walk past oblivious, reaching the grand entrance to The Bluecoat without realising that you have skipped past the artist/poet in residence exhibition rooms. All concrete and white walls, art and poetry on the walls, a thought-provoking video installation and one of the artists sat willing to chat about his work. At the moment the exhibit is Mistranslations which had some great works mixing Spanish and English. There are gaps between residences but the website will keep you updated, fear not! So if you're walking on by, don't be a stranger and stop in. Even if it's just for 5 minutes it'll give you some food for thought for the day.

This is a great sculpture on Hope street by John King, each case is lablelled with the person it…read morebelongs/belonged to, including Paul McCartneys guitar case and Charles dickens and many more. Very cool display, loved it!

Positioned outside Liverpool College of Art, A Case History is an intreguing sculpture that…read moreconsists of stacks of concrete suitcases and bags. Some of them are stacked in a small group as if they've been abandoned at an airport or train station, others are stacked high and in a haphazard fashion that showcases their different shapes and colours. Designed by the artist John King, the sculpture was installed in 1998 and is impossible to miss if you're walking down Hope Street. Look closely and you'll see, all 27 suitcases and the couple of guitar cases are labelled with the names of influential and legendary Scouse writers, composers, musicians, architects, photographers and political activists. Endearingly, alongside Lennon and McCartney you'll find cases referencing feminist pioneer Josephine Butler and Merseyside poets Adrian Henri, Roger McGough and Brian Patten.

With 200 bands playing over two days, Matthew Street Festival could well be Liverpool's…read moreGlastonbury. A free event held every August Bank Holiday, MSF finds the city centre transformed into a den of music and mayhem. Last year's festival attracted over 30,000 revellers spread across six areas and this year's on 29 -30 August looks set to be even bigger. There's six outdoor stages planned in Williamson Square, Derby Square and Tithebarn Street amongst other locations. There's also temporary bars and hot and cold food stalls. The live music kicks-off at 11am til early evening with most style of music covered from rock, pop and blues to soul, indie and punk. The only downside is that the majority of bands seem to be cover bands and whilst this doesn't seem to bother most of the revellers, bores me. Luckily, a New Bands Stage was introduced last year with no covers. If you don't like being pushed against complete strangers singing and dancing, there's big TV screens that allow you to watch the performances from a distance. Just make sure you take a sunhat, a large bottle of water and some pennies for food, beer and the obligatory festival item, an inflatable guitar. N.B. I'd give the festival 4 stars for camaraderie but the dire covers bands strips it down to 3!

5 stars is probably a little extravagant for Liverpool's Matthew Street Festival for all things…read moreBeatle related as the talent can be a little hit and miss but overall the weekend long music and booze binge is a good laugh. It is an extremely busy weekend as most bars and clubs take part hosting tribute bands from all over the world. Over the years this has changed dramatically from a few Beatles tributes in The Cavern into a city wide festival for tribute acts for all sorts of classic rock groups, performances from old favourites and even showcases for emerging Liverpool talent. Three years ago was probably the best one I had been too and was definately the biggest. The streets were rammed with people and there were numerous huge stages in the middle of Liverpool's busiest streets.