This remarkable woman was born during the Napoleonic Wars, saw the first railway being built, the first transatlantic cable, refugees from the Great Famine, survived the plagues and lived into the Age of flight.
When you have finished in the Bluecoat come back onto Church Street. Directly opposite is Marks and Spencer’s where Julia Lennon, John’s mum worked.
Look at the upper floors with its columns, and a tower at the top. On the Basnett Street corner is a solid carved crest of England showing the Lion and the Unicorn. In the centre, above the words “Marks” is the coat of arms of Liverpool .
A remarkable lady called Teddy Dance used to play grand piano on Basnett St. to raise money for charity. She raised over £53,000 for Clatterbridge Cancer Trust in the five years she played here stopping only when death took her at the age of 81.
A plaque in the pavement near to the entrance to Marks and Spencer commemorates her..jpg)
On the Tarleton Street corner is the carved crest of the USA, showing the American Eagle. It is quite appropriate as this building was the Compton’s Hotel in the 19th Century, and many of the guests would be travelling to and from the U.S.A.
In 1875 the leading evangelist of his day, Henry Drummond, spoke to audiences
of thousands every night over a six week stay. He was the author of “The Greatest Thing in the World” an inspirational meditation which sold millions of copies, and which is still sold today. .
At number 25 a plaque marks the fact that this was Europe’s first Woolworth’s.
Church Street is named after St. Peter’s Church which was demolished in 1922. The site is marked by a brass Maltese Cross on the pavement between the HMV store and Top Shop.
At Holy Corner, the junction of Church and Paradise Streets look above “Zara”, the building is decorated with various figures and contrasting stones. This junction is where the original Pool ran; if you look right to Whitechapel that is the landside path of the Pool, and on your left along Paradise Street is where the Pool ran down to the river.In the 19th Century Paradise Street was notorious for its drinking dens and brothels, now it leads us to Liverpool One the large new shopping area on your left is .It has all the shops cinemas and places to eat you could want, and a few things of cultural and historical interest.
Go along Paradise Street to the John Lewis Store.
To your left is the site of the first American Consulate anywhere in the world, established in 1790. In those days this was the riverfront and American sailors straight off their ships would be greeted with the magnificent American eagle statue, you can still see today.The eagle was restored in the Conservation Centre, and now hopefully 
it will be good for another 200 years. If you now go to the right of John Lewis, you will see a small circular wall in the walkway, which protects a viewing area which allows you to see the Old Dock, beneath you, the world's first enclosed dock.
If you are hungry go to the top floor of the centre, where the leisure terrace gives you a choice of a dozen or so resataurants.
Return to Holy Corner
The Abrams Bros, tailors of the first Beatles suits, had their shop on Lord Street.
Let me set a scene: in 1949 this area was still a bomb-site. Paul Robeson the black American singer and campaigner had performed a sell out concert at the Philharmonic Hall but knew there were tens of thousands of fans who were unable to see him.
His solution was to have a piano dragged across the wasteland to perform to a rapturous crowd. He changed some of the words to the Minstrel songs to change their meaning. For example the line from “Ole Man River” was changed from “I’m tired of fighting” to “I’ll never stop fighting” which of course despite all the problems thrown at him, he never did.
Go up Lord Street to the corner with North John Street.
Boodles House, the Headquarters of Boodles jewellers. In 2003 the premises underwent a spectacular make-over. The family business is over two hundred years old and has branches in various locations including Regent Street and Sloane Square in London. Unlike many jewellers they do not buy in ready-made jewellery; they design and make all the pieces themselves.
The two current owners, the Wainwright brothers have over thirty years experience. Nicholas Wainwright is one of Britain’s leading gem specialists. If you fancy a unique memento of your visit to Liverpool and have a few thousand pounds to spare, this could be the place for you. It’s certainly an experience to walk up the £100,000 crystal spiral staircase, designed by Eva Jiricna to the cocktail lounge where you can relax whilst you make your selection. Well, my wife can dream!!
An early resident of North John Street was Robert Broadnax who served Cromwell in the English Civil War and was later a Lt. Colonel under William III.
When he was 83 he felt poorly and feared he might be about to die. He ordered a coffin and decided to sleep in it. Somewhat to his surprise he awoke the next morning. He had found it comfortable so he continued to sleep in it for the next 26 years until he died at 108.
Walk a little way down North John Street and take the second turning on the right which is Mathew Street.
You might want to check “the Beatles Trails tour for this. Mathew St. becomes Rainford Gardens.
At the end turn left onto Whitechapel. You pass Shapla, a modern Indian restaurant which is recommended, and on to your left is the Conservation Centre .JPG)
which could almost be thought of as a museum of museums, because it focuses on how museums do their work of conserving historic pieces.
The exhibits explain how a whole range of pieces are preserved and restored;
anything from space-suits to ancient treasures. There are behind-the-scenes video link ups, interactive displays, hand-held audio guides, workshops and demonstrations. There is a fine audio guide so you can tour at your own pace. The Centre also houses two of Liverpool’s most famous statues:
- the original “Spirit of Liverpool” .jpg)
(a copy also made of Italian marble sits atop the Walker Art Gallery) The marble was carved in Rome and arrived in Liverpool in 1877. The statue denotes the “Spirit” sitting on a bale of cotton, holding a trident in one hand and a ship’s propeller in the other. At her feet are an artists palette, a compass and a set square. She is accompanied by a Liver Bird.
- “Eros” which was on top of the fountain in Sefton Park.
After walking around the Centre why not have a rest and something to eat or drink at “Café Eros”. There is also a small souvenir shop on the ground floor.
Turn right as you leave the Centre .. Cross to Dawson St. with the Blessed Sacrament Shrine on your right. This leads to Williamson Square. The fountain which springs from the paving stones is very popular with local children. Ahead of you is a superb theatre the Playhouse .
Beyond that is St. John’s Precinct and Market which sells all sorts of items as well as fresh produce. A market has stood on this site since 1822.
Above it towers the Beacon which acts as a chimney for the whole complex. It houses Radio City, an independent radio station, which you can tour, with its amazing views of the city. (Call 0151 709 3285)
A lazy National newspaper reporter, up for a day-trip and wanting to give an insider guide to Liverpool wrote that the boat trip around the docks included a visit to the Beacon. Quite how the boat was going to get to 450 feet in the air was not explained.
To your left is the Liverpool FC Souvenir Shop where you can buy every type of LFC merchandise.
Turn left here and walk through the passageway Carry on past the "Lloyds One" pub and the Public Transport Offices.
A little further on your right is the Royal Court Theatre. It is built over an old well, which was a meeting place for centuries, and this may have been a factor in siting a theatre here.
The first theatre on this site opened in 1826. The current theatre was opened in 1938, and its interior has a host of art deco features,together with some nautical references. The downstairs bar is a copy of the main lounge of the “Queen Mary”.
. Cross towards the Marriott Hotel and enter Queen’s Square area with a variety of bars and restaurants which forms another of the city’s social hubs.This area gets very lively at weekends and if you want a quiet place to eat this is not it unless you come early.
In front of the Hotel is a statue “”Unknown Landscape 3”by Richard Pope carved from sandstone, appropriate as the city rests on sandstone. Nearby is a time capsule, and a memorial to Diana,Princess of Wales.
Walk through the passageway between the Car Park, and the hotel and turn left..to a great pub “Dr. Duncan’s Dispensary. .JPG)
Dr. Duncan was appointed Liverpool’s, and the world’s first Medical Officer of Health on 1st January 1847. He had campaigned for decent living conditions for the poor producing “The Physical Causes of the High Mortality Rate in Liverpool” in 1843. He gave evidence that a quarter of his patients lived in airless cellars with fifteen to thirty people packed into a tiny space.
Another first was the appointment of Britain’s first Borough Engineer, James Newlands.
The two men worked closely together to improve the poors’ housing. Newlands established the sewer system as well as public baths, wash houses, street paving and lighting Dr. Duncan’s vital role was made even more important when the Irish Potato Famines of 1845 to 1852 lead to the doubling of Liverpool’s population in just seven years.
Terrible as the suffering of those who had managed to escape the famine, only to come down with consequent diseases, even more would have been lost but for the work of Dr. Duncan and his colleagues.
In the Vauxhall Road area alone a seventh of the population died in one year. 24 Catholic priests attended the sick, with 10 of them, the Liverpool Martyrs, dying due to administering the last rites, which involved applying oil to the eyes, mouth, ears and nose. They are commemorated in the grounds of St Patrick’s in Park Lane
The distinctive interior of the pub is because this was the grand reception area of the Pearl Assurance Building. When you leave have a look at the upper storeys- the design is French-chateau in style.The nearest station is Lime St.Just walk up the hill.