This illustrated history portrays one of England’s finest cities. It provides a nostalgic look at Liverpool’s past and highlights the special character of some of its most important historic sites.

The photographs are taken from the Historic England Archive, a unique collection of over 12 million photographs, drawings, plans and documents covering England’s archaeology, architecture, social and local history. Pictures date from the earliest days of photography to the present and cover subjects from Bronze Age burials and medieval churches to cinemas and seaside resorts.

Historic England: Liverpool shows the city as it once was, from its streets and alleyways to its vast docks. Special emphasis is given to aerial views that demonstrate the changing townscape of the city and the setting of its buildings. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries this once small fishing village was transformed into a mighty commercial powerhouse, growing rapidly into the greatest port in the entire British Empire outside London. However, the city’s fortunes changed dramatically in the twentieth century. Post-war decline was particularly brutal in Liverpool and by 1980 the city’s population had reduced by over half; its infrastructure and economy were decaying, and its political leaders were leading the city towards complete collapse. Liverpool is a UNESCO World Heritage City today. It boasts the fastest growing economy in Britain and has been a European Capital of Culture. Liverpool truly is one of the country’s great cities and this book will help you discover its rich and colourful history.