no alt text

Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 06 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: David Atkinson

Often dubbed ‘the National Gallery of the North’, the Walker boasts the largest collection of art outside London.

Housed in a grand, neoclassical building, its first-floor works range from European Art from 1300-1900, including pieces by Rembrandt, Turner, Poussin and Degas, to 20th-century works by Lucian Freud, David Hockney, and Gilbert and George.

The ground floor has a craft and design gallery, a sculpture gallery, and a special gallery dedicated to children. There is also a programme of regular temporary exhibitions. The gallery is very family-friendly, with a special family gallery is designed to introduce under-eights to the collection.

 

Don’t miss

David Hockney’s Peter Getting Out of Nick’s Pool was the winner of the 1967 John Moores competition and is a gallery highlight. Also look out for And when did you last see your father (1878) by William Frederick Yeames.

Break-up of the ice on the Seine is one of Monet’s most famous Impressionist pieces, painted in the winter of 1892-3. This painting, taken from a series of views, perfectly demonstrates the artist’s obsession with capturing the fleeting nature of light.

Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The Walker is located in in the city centre, close to the entrance of the Queensway Tunnel. Liverpool Lime Street Station is just around the corner, with Moorfields and Liverpool Central stations also within walking distance. There’s a pay-and-display car park outside the gallery on William Brown Street.

The website has a helpful online guide to each of the galleries, explaining the type and period of artwork they house – well worth a look before you go.

These also have an online audio guide (free) to each of the must-see start exhibits – listen before you go, or while you’re standing in front of the artwork!

When to do it

The gallery is open all year round, Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday.

Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Hard Days Night Hotel

Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)[0.7 miles]

For a frisson of Beatlemania, get back to this Cavern Quarter hotel for a night surrounded with memorabilia from Liverpool’s swinging Sixties.

Official star rating:

Hope Street Hotel

Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)[1.2 miles]

Cool Scandinavian-chic style and the best food in town create an unbeatable city centre hotel.

Official star rating:

Malmaison Liverpool

Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)[1.2 miles]

Sexy rooms, cool cocktails and a waterfront location, handy for the Albert Dock, make this a great base for a weekend away. The cheeky, boudoir-chic vibe is one for couples seeking privacy.

Official star rating:

Baltic Hotel

Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)[1.5 miles]

Urban chic and good vibes are always on the menu at this stylish, contemporary hotel in the city’s up-and-coming Baltic Quarter. One for the night owls and people seeking plenty of ‘vibes’.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Liverpool

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.

Website >
Overview >

Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

British Music Experience

Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)[1.2 miles]

A colourful, interactive museum dedicated to the story of chart-toppers – from The Beatles to Freddie Mercury. Highlights include outfits worn by David Bowie, hand-written song lyrics from Adele and an interactive gallery where you can play instruments along to your favourite tracks.

Best for ages: 8+ | £16

Museum of Liverpool

Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)[1.3 miles]

Fascinating waterside museum exploring Liverpool’s industrial, cultural and social heritage – including the Beatles and football.

Best for ages: 8+ | Free

Tate Liverpool

Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)[1.4 miles]

The northern counterpart of the world-renowned Tate enterprise, showcasing an eclectic collection of British art.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

Website >
Overview >

Beatles Story

Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)[1.5 miles]

This popular museum, located in the Albert Dock, traces the Beatles’ journey from The Cavern, via the dizzy heights of Beatlemania, to the final days. Colourful and engaging with lots of pop trivia, it’s one for curious and serious fans alike.

Best for ages: 13+ | £18

Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

An Egyptian Mummy on display at the World Museum in Liverpool, UK.
Experience

World Museum

Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)[0.1 miles]

The story of Liverpool through the ages is the motif threaded through the galleries at this landmark waterfront museum. The highlight is the Wondrous Place gallery, which takes a modern-history stroll through the city’s creative scene from punk rock to film premieres.

Best for ages: 4+ | £6

Website >
Overview >
Exterior of the building from the street
Experience

The History Whisperer

Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)[0.2 miles]

A tour of the city’s landmark Neoclassical building near Lime Street station takes a social-history approach to the Liverpool story. Peer into little-seen rooms and follow interactive displays to learn about the people behind the heritage.

Best for ages: 13+ | £6

Website >
Overview >
Looking up at the top of the tower
Experience

St. John’s Beacon

Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)[0.4 miles]

The second tallest free-standing building in Liverpool, known locally as the Radio City Tower, is a radio and observation tower, standing 138m tall. Buy tickets for the viewing platform, where the reward is a spectacular view across the city and the Mersey.

Best for ages: 6+ | £7

Website >
Overview >
Liverpool Beatles Museum
Experience

Liverpool Beatles Museum

Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom (UK)[0.6 miles]

This museum in the Cavern Quarter, run by the local Best family, focuses on the early years, notably The Quarrymen, the late Fifties skiffle band featuring a young Lennon, McCartney and Harrison. Pete Best, the owner’s brother, was the band’s first drummer before Ringo.

Best for ages: 13+ | £15

Website >
Overview >