The Georgian Quarter, also known locally as Canning, is a rhombus-shaped cut-out of downtown Liverpool that's famed for its handsome houses, big cathedrals, and charming 1800s architecture. It sits just to the south of the buzzing and sleepless Liverpool City Centre, but is very much the antithesis of the happening nightlife quarters – think hearty pubs, redbrick rowhouses, and leafy streets galore.
Georgian Quarter in Liverpool - one of the highlights of 10 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in Liverpool (Read all about Liverpool here)
A brief history of the Georgian Quarter
The Georgian Quarter now stands on what was once a vast area of peat bog known as Mosslake Field. It was planned as a bedroom quarter for the upper-class merchants and innovators that flooded Liverpool at the start of the Industrial Revolution. Construction started around 1801, with the choice of architecture being grand redbrick façades with big paned windows and tall chimney stacks.
The heyday of the Georgian Quarter didn't last forever, though. The end of England's industrialisation brought a swift decline, and the neighbourhood was rather dilapidated by the middle of the 20th century. Some areas were even demolished to make way for newer constructions. However, the grand Georgian-era homes that remained soon became hot property thanks to the boom of the 1980s and 1990s.
What are the highlights of the Georgian Quarter?
The main reason a visitor to Liverpool would want to stray down to the Georgian Quarter is surely the grand outline of Liverpool Cathedral. It crowns St James Mount and Gardens, which is the main green space off of Hope Street. It's hard to miss – the cathedral is the 5th largest on the globe, with a length of 188 metres and a height of 35 metres.
But there's another church in these parts that might just grab the attention first. It's known affectionately by the locals as Paddy's Wigwam for its spiked tops and strange structural elements. The official name is the Metropolitan Cathedral. Look for it on the side of the University of Liverpool campus to the north. Be sure not to miss the resplendent show of colours that dances through the interior, thanks to the stained-glass windows.
You'll also want to see the Oratory on Upper Duke Street, with its Doric outline and collection of intriguing neoclassical relics. And then there's St Luke's Bombed Out Church, which was severely hit during the WWII Blitz but is now rising again as an open-air theatre and cinema venue.
photo de IIya Kuzhekin (CC BY-SA 3.0) modifiée
What are the best things to do at night in the Georgian Quarter?
It's hard to ignore the wealth of fantastic eateries and bars that coalesce on the Georgian Quarter. They're a touch more intimate and neighbourly than the buzzy venues in the nearby City Centre. For dinner, check out the wood-fired pizzas of casual Italian cookhouse, The Quarter, or go for hearty British gastropub fare at Papillon.
You can prepare for a culturally infused evening courtesy of the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. It's smack dab in the heart of the area and hosts countless events throughout the year, including performances by the acclaimed Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. For something edgier and more bohemian, book in for one of the more avant-garde or groundbreaking shows at the Everyman Theatre. It's a favourite with students and literary buffs.
photo de Alex Liivet (CC BY 2.0) modifiée
Good to know about the Georgian Quarter
The Georgian Quarter is predominantly residential. That means you should find parking easier here than in the centre of Liverpool. However, many of the spaces are reserved for occupants, so remember to pin the location of the paid parking spots on Knight Street and Falkner Square before you arrive. It takes around 15 minutes to walk to the Georgian Quarter from Liverpool Central if you're looking to go on foot.