Travel bucket list idea:
© Robin Clewley
Although best known for football and the Beatles, Liverpool first earned its place on the global stage as a major port during the Industrial Revolution; at one time, more than 40 percent of the world’s trade was passing through its docks.
This museum, located in a suitably stand-out building, does a fine job of celebrating, preserving and explaining this fascinating city’s heritage – industrial, artistic, cultural and sporting – with a balanced mix of collections and interactive displays.
There are two emotive films on show, one exploring the rivalry between Liverpool and Everton football clubs, the other focused on the city’s most famous export, The Beatles.
Between 1929-1933 Sir Edwin Lutyens designed an extraordinarily elaborate and immense cathedral for Liverpool that would have been the second largest in the world, had its construction come to fruition. A display exhibit tells the story behind the dramatic structure that could have been the centrepiece of the north.
The Wondrous Place gallery celebrates the city’s creative side — from its burgeoning role as a film set to its vibrant music scene. These new exhibits focus on the stories of the people who have put Liverpool on the global map in sport, comedy, and literature.
Liverpool’s main Lime Street station is a 20-minute walk away; James Street and Moorfields train stations are both less than a 10-minute walk. There’s paid parking at the Capital car park a couple of minutes’ walk from the museum. There are also car parks in the nearby Liverpool One complex opposite the entrance to the Royal Albert Dock.
Booking is not required – just enquire on arrival. The website has a helpful online guide to each of the galleries and their purpose – worth a look before you go.
There also an online guide to family visits, with special kids’ trails.
The gallery is open all year round, Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday.
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)
Home of the world’s most successful ever-band and one of the world’s top football clubs, the reborn city is also a cultural powerhouse, with top-notch museums, rich maritime heritage and cultural events galore.
