Museum of Liverpool

Jake Davies

The Museum of Liverpool is devoted to the history and people of Liverpool and is housed in a striking, modern building on the waterfront between Pier Head and Albert Dock. These sites are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Liverpool Mercantile Marine City.

The elegant central spiral stairwell inside the Museum of Liverpool. — The elegant central spiral stairwell inside the Museum of Liverpool

Part of the Great Port themed gallery at the Museum of Liverpool. — Part of the Great Port themed gallery at the Museum of Liverpool

History

Opened in 2011 to replace the former Museum of Liverpool Life, the Museum of Liverpool is a member of National Museums Liverpool.

This grouping comprises nine museums and art galleries. including World Museum, Walker Art Gallery, Merseyside Maritime Museum, and the International Slavery Museum, and like all museums in the group, entrance is completely free.

The Museum of Liverpool is spacious, light, and colourful. — Spread over four floors, Tate Liverpool's galleries are bright and spacious

Exhibits

The 8,000 square foot interior, spread over three floors, hosts permanent and also changing displays divided into four themes: The Great Port, Global City, People's Republic, and Wondrous Place.

The Great Port documents the establishment of the port of Liverpool as well as its connection to the industrial revolution.

Highlights include a carriage from the world's first elevated electric railway line and a locomotive from the world's first inter-city train line that ran between Liverpool and Manchester.

Global City looks at the part played by Liverpool in Britain's global empire as well as the many different peoples who passed through or settled in Liverpool and the cultures and influences they brought with them from every continent.

Liverpool's numerous contemporary "sister city" relationships are well represented.

People's Republic showcases the Liverpudlians themselves, throughout time and looking at social and political issues including those of the present.

There are constantly changing exhibitions looking at specific periods and issues, and materials are constantly being solicited from the city's inhabitants.

The museum also displays the rich and vibrant contributions made by Liverpool in the worlds of sports including Liverpool FC and Everton, arts, music, and entertainment etc. Obviously they include Liverpool's most famous export, The Beatles.

Many of the exhibits and displays are aimed at the family, and a whole section is devoted for children under the age of 6.

The museum is housed in a very modern, purpose-built structure with sweeping, horizontal and diagonal lines and forms.

At either end are huge windows which frame great views of the harbour and the "Three Graces" of the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building, and the Port of Liverpool Building.

The Museum of Liverpool features constantly changing exhibitions on all aspects of the history of the city. — The Museum of Liverpool features constantly changing exhibitions on all aspects of the history of the city

Other museums in Liverpool include The Beatles' Story, the International Slavery Museum, the Walker Art Gallery, Open Eye Gallery and Tate Liverpool.

Museum Access & Hours

Pier Head
Liverpool Waterfront
Liverpool L3 1DG
Tel: 0151 478 4545

Open every day from 10 am to 5 pm.

Museum of Liverpool. — The modern facade of the Museum of Liverpool

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

Access - Getting to Liverpool

Lime Street Station is Liverpool's main station with trains to Manchester Piccadilly, Birmingham New Street Station and London Euston.

Lime Street's underground station has trains on the Wirral Line to Chester Station in Chester.

There are also connections from Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Airport, Nottingham, Norwich, Sheffield, and also Manchester Oxford Road.

First TransPennine Express trains also run to Leeds, Newcastle, Scarborough and York Station in York.

Take a #500 bus outside the station to Liverpool's John Lennon Airport, 8 miles south east of the city.

There are ferries from the ferry terminal just north of Pier Head and close to James Street Merseyrail station to the Isle of Man, Belfast and Dublin.

The Mersey Ferry crosses the River Mersey from Liverpool's Pier Head to the Seacombe terminal on the Wirral in just 10 minutes. Morning commuter services every 20 minutes from Seacombe terminal run 7.20 am-9.40 am with the evening commuter service from Pier Head beginning 5 pm and running until 6.40 pm.

Long distance National Express buses run nationwide from the bus station on Norton Street.