TOPPING the charts for the most visitors to Liverpool is the Albert Dock, which literally has everything you could want in a day out. Cafes, restaurants, exclusive shops, modern art and an engrossing history are just some of the ingredients that draw millions of people to the Liverpool waterfront site every year. In the shadow of the Pier Head, work began on the Albert Dock in 1841, as the famous five storey warehouses were constructed following the design of the port of Liverpool's chief engineer Jesse Hartley. The Albert Dock's warehouses offered secure storage facilities for cargo from all over the world. The maritime history of the Albert Dock is a proud one - and although the dock was originally designed for sailing ships, steamers, barges, brandy boats and later corvettes in World War II - all docked at the site. The dock's fortunes wained after WWII, until eventually the Albert Dock was closed in 1972. Fortunately that wasn't the end of the story as an ambitious project by the Albert Dock Company Ltd, in association with the Merseyside Development Corporation, saw the site restored to its former glory. In many ways it is a prime example of how urban regeneration can breathe new life into a previously rundown area. The Albert Dock now has the largest group of Grade One listed buildings in Britain. Millions of people every year beat a path to the waterfront to soak up the history and atmosphere of the site. The Tate Gallery exhibits outstanding collections of modern art and the Merseyside Maritime Museum provides a fascinating insight into the vibrant past of Liverpool as an international port. But the Albert Dock isn't just a popular tourist destination...the site has luxurious apartments and office space, making it a vibrant centre at the heart of Liverpool's waterfront. | 
