The neo-gothic Liverpool Cathedral is one of the greatest buildings of the 20th century and one of city’s most visited attractions. Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and built between 1904 and 1978, it hold numerous records including the largest cathedral in the UK, the largest organ in the UK, and the highest and heaviest peal of bells in the world.
Entry to the cathedral is free but to reach the top of the tower an Attractions Ticket costing £5 (£3.50 concessions, £12 family) must be purchased. The top of the Vestey Tower is 101 metres high and is reached by taking 2 lifts and then climbing 108 stairs. Once at the top, visitors are rewarded with stunning views across Liverpool and Cheshire. The Attractions Ticket is valid for 2 days and also includes the an audio tour of the cathedral, a 10 minute high definition film telling the story of the building, and entry to Elizabeth Hoare Embroidery Gallery.
Liverpool Cathedral is open daily from 8 am to 6 pm, although access is limited during services. The Vestey Tower is open Monday to Saturday 10 am until 4.30 pm, and Sunday 11.45 am to 3.30 pm. Twilight Tours of the tower are also available. For service timings and details of Twilight Tours visit the official Liverpool Cathedral website.
Facilities at Liverpool Cathedral include the Welsford restaurant, a café with free wireless internet access, and a shop selling gifts, books, and music.
Liverpool Cathedral also hosts a large number of events throughout the year including photography exhibitions, concerts, courses, and organ recitals. A full schedule of events is available on the official website.
The cathedral is located in Liverpool city centre. To reach it by car from the end of the M62 follow the brown tourist signs for ‘Central tourist attractions’, then ‘Cathedrals’, and then ‘Liverpool Cathedral’. Drivers with satellite navigation systems can use the postcode L1 7AZ. Limited car parking is available. A pay-on-exit system is in operation. Parking charges are £2 for 1 hour, £3 for 2 hours, £5 for 3 hours, and £6 for all day. Cars can park for up to 30 minutes for free.
The nearest mainline train station is Liverpool Lime Street. From here or Queen Square Bus Station catch the CityLink bus (C1, C3) to Liverpool Cathedral.
The Anglican cathedral is one of two in Liverpool. The other, the Roman Catholic Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, is located 1/3 mile north.
Five cathedrals in North West England will receive a share of an £8 million windfall to fund repairs.
Cathedrals in the region receiving the money from the First World War Centenary Cathedral Repair Fund are Manchester Cathedral (£225,000), Blackburn Cathedral (£314,251), Liverpool Anglican Cathedral (£275,000), Lancaster Cathedral (£15,000), and Chester Cathedral (£300,000).
The money will be used for fixing leaky roofs, repairing stained glass windows, replacing stone, and other urgent work.