ECBB 2018 Social Tours - register your interest

These tours are open to everyone but in particular we hope they will be of interest to anybody who is accompanying conference delegates.

To assess the viability of these tours, please register your interest. You will be emailed with further details including costs and how to confirm your place closer to the time of the conference.

Thursday 9th August 2018 - 11.00am - Liverpool
Walking tour of Liverpol's historic waterfront, taking in the Albert Dock and the Pier Head (1.5 hours in duration).

Friday 10th August 2018- Full Day - Chester
Tour of Chester - Leaving Liverpool to drive through the Wirral Peninsula to the historic city of Chester for a sightseeing tour around the city. A Roman fortress town you will see its Roman fortifications and amphitheatre, as well as many medieval remains. Take a walk along the historic city walls. Following this, we will take you on a 30 minute river cruise on the River Dee returning to have lunch at your leisure.
After lunch you will have free time to enjoy the city centre, where you can walk along the elevated medieval Rows or visit the beautiful Chester Cathedral with its many architectural styles. Rejoin the coach later in the afternoon for the journey back to Liverpool.

Saturday 11th August 2018 - Half Day - Port Sunlight
This coach tour will take you from Liverpool across the river to the Wirral Peninsula, to the beautiful village of Port Sunlight. The village is not only pictureesque but is also one of the best preserved model industrial villages in the country.
Port Sunlight was developed by the industrialist William Lever as the location of his soap factory accommodation and amenities for his workers. A philanthropic businessman, Lever not only built quality cottages for his workers but also built and provided schools, a hospital and social amenities for his workers from the profits of his business, as well as providing a beautiful church and the stunning Lady Lever Art Gallery for the village.
We will take you on a tour of the village by coach, so you can admire the beautifully designed cottages and buildings, most of which are Grade II listed, and all make up the Port Sunlight conservation area. Learn more about Lever himself and what he provided that made life so special at Port Sunlight.
You will then visit the Lady Lever Art Gallery at the heart of the village. Created by William Lever between 1914-22 to display the best examples from his own personal collection of paintings, sculpture, furniture, ceramics, tapestries and ancients antiquities. Art was one of Lever’s passions, and believing in its beneficial influence he wanted to make it available to others to enjoy.
A national gallery in a village setting, the gallery is also unusual in that it contains the personal collection of one man. Lever had the wealth to acquire a very impressive collection, highlights of which include his collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings, and the largest collection of Wedgewood Jasperware in the world. You will have free time to enjoy the gallery, as well as the tea rooms and gift shop.
The tour will then return to Liverpool via the charming Wirral village of Thornton Hough, also remodelled by William Lever as the location of his own manor house, with homes for his family and staff throughout the village.