Liverpool Museums and Art Galleries Guide
Welcome to the vibrant city of Liverpool, a cultural hub brimming with art, history, and creative expression. From its famous musical heritage to its rich maritime history, this city has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. But Liverpool’s allure extends beyond its legendary music scene and architectural splendors; it is also home to a captivating array of art galleries and museums that showcase the city’s artistic prowess.
Check out our guide to Liverpool’s unmissable museums and art galleries below.
Liverpool Art Galleries
Tate Liverpool
Royal Albert Dock
The home of contemporary art, the Liverpool Tate is housed in the historic Albert Dock and displays art from as far back as 1500 to the present day.
Open Eye Gallery
Mann Island
The Open Eye Gallery is an independent not-for-profit contemporary photography gallery. It is the only gallery in the North West dedicated to photography and features a wide range of exhibitions dating from 1930 to present day.
The Bluecoat
School Lane
As the oldest surviving building in Liverpool city centre, the Bluecoat is a fitting home for an art gallery and creative space. There’s always a jam-packed events schedule which you can check out here.
Walker Art Gallery
William Brown Street
One of the finest art galleries in Europe, the Walker Art Gallery is home to renaissance masterpieces, Tudor portraits and one of the best collections of Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite art in the country. The gallery also has an outstanding display of contemporary art including work by David Hockney, Lucian Freud and Bridget Riley.
FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology)
Wood Street
FACT is a cinema, art gallery and the UK’s leading organisation for the support & exhibition of film, art and new media. Visit the official FACT website here for the full guide to what’s on.
The Royal Standard
Northern Lights
The Royal Standard (TRS) is an artist-led gallery, studio complex and registered charity based in Liverpool. They are dedicated to fostering opportunities for the most outstanding recent graduates and emerging artists through providing affordable studio space, free public exhibitions, events and training.
Victoria Gallery & Museum
Brownlow Hill
The Victoria Gallery & Museum is one of the lesser known in the city but is most definitely worth a visit. You’ll find a collection of art and curiosities so varied and exciting you’ll wonder why you’ve never noticed this place before amongst all the Liverpool museums. Witness nightmares in a bottle, a Victorian dental surgery, a fine art collection and an archaeological dig.
Lady Lever Art Gallery
Port Sunlight Village
The Lady Lever Art Gallery is regarded as one of the finest art galleries in Europe. It’s located in model village, Port Sunlight in Wirral, a place rich in architectural charm. The gallery was founded by William Hesketh Lever (1851-1925) and is dedicated to his wife Elizabeth, Lady Lever. Lady Lever often houses temporary exhibitions and popular free events, be sure to check the website before visiting.
Liverpool Museums
World Museum
William Brown Street
At the World Museum you can Discover treasures from around the world, explore outer space and meet live creatures. Everything from Ancient Egypt, Dinosaurs, a natural history centre, a planetarium, aquarium, a bug house and space centre there’s plenty on offer for all ages.
The International Slavery Museum
Royal Albert Dock
Hear the untold stories of enslaved people and learn about historical and contemporary slavery. It is the only museum of its kind to look at aspects of historical and contemporary slavery as well as being an international hub for resources on human rights issues.
Merseyside Maritime Museum
Royal Albert Dock
Here you can uncover objects from the Titanic, find out about life at sea and learn about the port of Liverpool.
Museum of Liverpool
Pier Head
The amazing waterfront museum tells the story of the city’s rich cultural history, with exhibition highlights including The Beatles collection, the history of Liverpool’s overhead railway and the First World War collections.
The Beatles Story
Royal Albert Dock
The award-winning ‘The Beatles Story’ is the world’s largest permanent exhibition purely devoted to telling the story of The Beatles’ rise to fame, located in the band’s hometown.
British Music Experience
Cunard Building
The British Music Experience tells the story of British Music through costumes, instruments, performance and memorabilia. See outfits worn by artists from Freddie Mercury and Dusty Springfield, to the Spice Girls and musical instruments played by some of the world’s most renowned artists from Noel Gallagher to the Sex Pistols. There’s even handwritten song lyrics from Adele, the original statues from the Brits and the Apple Corp front door from Saville Row.
U-Boat Story
Woodside Ferry Terminal, Birkenhead
View the amazing life on board a real German U-boat at this award-winning attraction. With original film archive and interactive displays you can witness all the dramatic action. U-boat Story tells the story of World War II German submarine U-534.
Have we missed any Liverpool Museums and Art Galleries from the list? Comment below and we’ll add it to our list.
