5 Places to Learn Something New in Liverpool

The Tate Liverpool hosts one of the biggest collections of contemporary artworks in the country. With a regular turn-around of temporary exhibitions, displaying works from the likes of Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol and a strong permanent collection, the Tate is sure to scratch everyone’s arty-itch.

Entry is free, so this is a great place to stop if you’re travelling on a tight budget. And visitors, especially with kids, should be sure to pick up a booklet asking you to help Mildred the gallery cat find artworks around the docks. It’s a fun way to tour the dockside and seek out more art.

On the more traditional side, you’ll find the Walker Art Gallery, established in 1877. The imposing Neo-Classical Building is a sight in and of itself, with massive fluted columns and statues of Raphael and Michelangelo watching imperiously over the passersby.

Within, the gallery’s collection boasts works of the Old Masters, including Rembrandt, Poussin and Degas. There’s also a strong focus on Pre-Raphaelite works, and a vast sculpture gallery full of smooth-white marble statues and busts. As a stately trip back in time, it has few rivals in the region.

Established in 2011, this museum is based by Pier Head and situated in a striking, jagged, postmodern building. It houses over 6,000 objects which tell the tale of Liverpool, its people and its global importance.

Divided into themed zones, the exhibits will take you through ancient Neolithic settlements to the industrial revolution, using everything from costume and decorative art to oral testimonies and archaeological finds. The land transport collection will delight train and car lovers alike with over 200 vehicles, while music aficionados won’t want to miss the Beatles collection.

The legacy of the Beatles, Liverpool’s most famous sons, is found throughout the city, from the Yellow Submarine to Penny Lane, but you can't visit the city that gave us the world's most famous pop-rock band without checking out this celebration of John, Paul, Ringo and George.

This immersive experience takes you through the history of the Fab Four, reminding visitors of the hits, the artworks and the sheer hysteria of Beatlemania. Step into recreations of some of their most iconic moments and see instruments that played some of the most famous songs in pop history. We recommend booking your spot so you don’t miss out.

The Anglican Liverpool Cathedral is one of the largest in the UK and the 5th largest in the world, stretching into the sky with striking, intricately designed Gothic revival towers. Wander through the vast halls, appreciating the colossal sandstone columns, the smaller offset chapels and the mighty, gold-washed high altar. Of particular interest is the west window, a mass of vibrant colours that steadily reveal a picture the further you step away from it.

There’s also a Catholic cathedral in Liverpool that’s completely different with a more modern, circular design. If you want to compare and contrast, why not explore that one, too? It’s not that far away.