Stay Central in “art” of Liverpool’s living canvas of creative culture

Eclectic Liverpool was a centre of creativity long before European Capital of Culture status was awarded almost two decades ago.

The North West must-visit tourism magnet, divided by red and blue footy fans, today remains united in offering green light to crafty culture vultures.

Holiday Inn Express Liverpool Central’s quality comfort and convenience affords easy exploration of beating “art” of the city.

Perfectly positioned within 15-minute walk of Lime Street Rail Station transport hub, ideally located modern midscale hotel’s daily housekept 125 rooms across magnificent seven floors feature free high-speed Wi-Fi, 43-inch Smart TV, workstation with easy-access USB points.

Improved beds boast soft or firm pillows while sofa bed, power shower, safe, reclining chair, hair dryer, iron, ironing board, tea and coffee making facilities complete home from home feel, pets also welcome.

And, Godsend during recent heatwaves, welcome air-con comfortably lowers room temperature when mercury rises.

Complimentary Express Start Breakfast or Grab & Go options are available, featuring fresh fruit, cereals, pastries and selected hot items.

Extended fully stocked bar and lounge, showing Sky TV channels, alongside inviting open lobby, provides meals and snacks as well as hot and cold drinks.

Kids eat free while IHG One Rewards members enjoy exclusive benefits including, subject to availability, 2pm late check-out to alleviate pre-train strain.

Nearby attractions, catering for fans of contemporary and classic, traditional to timeless masterpieces, range from Bluecoat to Williamson galleries, via Victoria, Lady Lever, Metal Culture, Open Eye, OUTPUT and Royal Standard sites. Also, Foundation for Art and Creative Technology ... and that’s a FACT!

Local highlights include Walker Gallery and Tate Liverpool, covering installations ranging from “Priestess of Punk” Vivienne Westwood: Designer in Focus display until October to family-friendly Mildred’s Albert Dock Art Trail.

Walker is well worth the walk, among few galleries succeeding in seamlessly segueing sculptures, paintings and decorative art spanning 13th century to present day, contemporary installations showcasing Lucian Freud, Bridget Riley and recently departed late, great David Hockney.

John Moores Painting Prize winning entries vie for visitors’ attention with traditional pieces from Renaissance masters, Tudor portraits, Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite collections. And, in our case, spectacularly striking wedding venue graced by family friend Grace’s guests.

Temporarily relocated less than 500 metres to Mann Island’s Royal Institute of British Architects North site during Royal Albert Dock multi million pound reimagining, Tate Lite still merits visit, offering two exhibition areas, family zone and shop, activities, talks, tours and creative workshops focusing on art, architecture and ecology.

Purr-fect introduction to art comes in free form of book-based Mildred’s Albert Dock Art Trail, little ones taking great delight in finding six quayside works, complemented by five-letter word games, throughout self-led trail.

Paraphrasing professional Scouser Pete Wylie’s Nineties Merseyside anthem “Art as big as my hometown, lay me down by water cool, art as big as the city, art as big as Liverpool”.

Literally “Central” to such eclectic city break exploration, be in with Holiday Inn Express crowd at highly recommended accommodation — attractive and affordable in equally impressive measure — that has warm welcomes, with smiles wider than nearby Mersey, down to a fine art.