Visiting Liverpool Cathedral
We are looking forward to welcoming you back to visit our building.
You can explore our building for free and you no longer need to book.
Please check our Opening Hours webpage before your visit before coming to see us as our visiting times do vary.
Read more about the changes we’ve made to help keep you and our team safe in A Safe Visit section of this webpage.
While you’re with us why not experience.....?
Peace Doves - from 21 May until 31 August 2021
Peace Doves is a mass participation art project. It's made from thousands of paper doves, with messages of hope, peace and love. Originally planned to open in May 2020, the installation was postponed due to the pandemic. You'll be able to see it in Liverpool Cathedral until 31 August 2021 and you don't need to book.
Last year, we asked people to come to the Cathedral to write their messages on paper doves. We also sent out around 23,000 doves to local schools so they could be part of this art project too.
Some of the doves have been curated into the artwork you'll see suspended above the Well by internationally renowned sculptor and artist Peter Walker. David Harper has composed the soundtrack to accompany the installation. The piece is called ‘Ruah Qadeska’.
About the Artist: Peter Walker
Peter Walker is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a member of the Royal Society of British Sculptors.
An internationally renowned sculptor and artist, he produces sculptures, paintings, drawings, installation pieces plus Son-et-Lumiere for large scale public art events.
Peter has created many public artworks. His work is in public and private collections internationally, including at the British Embassy in Dubai and Paris, The Collections of Limburg (Germany), St Chads Cathedral (Canada), Chester Cathedral, Sheffield Cathedral, and University Church in Oxford amongst others.
About the Composer: David Harper
David Harper has over 15 years' experience performing and composing music for various media including film, TV, theatre, sonic art, mixed-media and art installations.
Widely commissioned, his music for dramatic works includes the British-made action movie Money Kills; award-winning actor Laurence Fishburne’s powerful hit play Riff Raff; and the scores for three Stafford Festival Shakespeare Productions, one of Britain’s leading open-air drama productions.
Angel Wings - from 21 May until 30 August 2021
Experience the return of Angel Wings, a moving light projection, created by Luxmuralis. Take photos and videos in front of the shoulder height wings which pulsate and change colour to a curated soundtrack. Read more about when Angel Wings first came to Liverpool Cathedral in this article on our website news section published in December 2020.
Peace to Ourselves - from 21 May until 30 August 2021
We've set aside part of the Cathedral for reflection and prayer. Based on artist Peter Walker’s original artwork ‘Buttons’ (2018), we’ve adapted the idea to help make sense of the past year in an interactive installation we’ve called ‘Peace to Ourselves’.
You’ll have the opportunity to place a button inside the dove marked out on the floor to remember someone special and to give thanks for them. It’s a way to express your sadness at what we’ve lost in terms of daily living and freedom during the pandemic.
You are welcome to bring buttons with you or use the ones we're providing.
Worship Services
Join us for our daily worship services. You’ll find information about our services on the Worship section of our website.
Eating and Drinking at Liverpool Cathedral
Fancy something to eat while you’re with us? Or need a coffee pit stop to keep you going? (We know, our building takes a while to get around!)
Enjoy the historic atmosphere of eating in the Welsford Bistro. Or take in the magnificent sight of Gambier Terrace from our Welsford Porch.
You can even enjoy a takeaway in the Cathedral Main Space. Choose from a menu that includes an all-day brunch section with classics such as a Full English, Eggs Benedict and smashed avocado.
Need something more substantial? Why not try our Welsford Tower Burger or traditional Scouse. We’ve also got homemade soup, jacket potatoes and toasted ciabattas on our menu.
We’ll be serving up daily specials with seasonal ingredients from our local suppliers. Our Cathedral blend coffee is from local roasters Joe Black Coffee and is best enjoyed with our selection of homemade cakes and scones.
Have a look at our menu on the Eating at the Cathedral webpage.
Our Cathedral Shop
A great way to remember your visit is to buy something from our Cathedral Shop. And did you know, when you do, you're also preserving your heritage for generations to come? We use the income generated by our shop to help keep the Cathedral free to visitors. Can’t wait until you visit us to see what’s in store? Browse online.
Support Us
Like many other organisations in the city and beyond, we’re facing an uncertain future. We lost nearly all of our income over the past year, so your donations are especially needed and welcome to help keep entry to Liverpool Cathedral free to visitors.
You can donate when you book your visit or by cash or on our portable contactless consoles when you’re in our building. Please give as generously as you can.
Find out more about how you can support us on our Donation website pages. Or buy something from our Cathedral Shop, to support us.
A Safe Visit
We want your time with us at Liverpool Cathedral to be enjoyable, but above all safe, so we some have guidance in place.
Please read the information below, so you know what to expect when you’re with us.
Thank you in advance for your understanding and for following our guidance to help us operate safely.
We’d Love to See You But
If you’re feeling unwell, self-isolating or if you or anyone you’ve been in physical contact with has symptoms of coronavirus, please visit us another time. We’ll look forward to welcoming you soon but right now, it’s not worth the risk to the health of other visitors or our people. Thank you for your understanding.
Do I have to wear a face covering?
Wearing a face covering helps keep you, our staff and other visitors safe. Allthough it's not compulsory, we'd encourage you to wear one when you visit us unless you are medically exempt.
Physical Spacing
Keeping your distance from others helps keep you, our staff and other visitors safe. Please take a considerate approach while making your way around the cathedral, so that everyone can enjoy their time with us.
Please Don’t Touch
While we’ll be cleaning often, please try to avoid touching surfaces such as signage or Cathedral artwork as much as possible to help reduce the spread of coronavirus.
Keeping Your Hands Clean
We’ll provide hand sanitisers and you’ll be able to sanitise your hands on your way into and at various points around the Cathedral.
Frequently asked questions
Will I be able to visit all areas of the Cathedral?
You'll be able to explore most areas of our building, but we are a living church, and so from time to time certain areas of the cathedral may be unaccessible to visitors.
Do I need to keep my distance while I’m in the Cathedral?
Keeping your distance helps keep you, our staff and other visitors safe. So if you're visiting us, please take a considerate approach to physical spacing in the Cathedral, so that everyone can enjoy their visit.
How can I keep my hands clean?
We’ll provide a hand sanitiser and you’ll be able to sanitise your hands on your way into and at various points around the Cathedral. There’s also handwashing facilities in the Cathedral toilets.
Am I allowed to touch anything in the Cathedral?
Please try to avoid touching surfaces such as signage or Cathedral artwork as much as possible it will help reduce the spread of coronavirus.
How do I let you know if I need your help to get around the Cathedral?
If you need any assistance during your visit please contact our Visitor Services Manager on 0151 702 7284 or email: jenny.moran@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk
Find more information on our accessibility pages.
Can I light a candle?
You will be able to light a candle in the Main Space. You will find several candle prickets stands at various places around the Cathedral.
Are there toilet facilities?
Yes, our toilet facilities are open.
- Please sanitise your hands, before going into and on your way out of the toilet facilities, to help reduce the spread of coronavirus.
- Please be patient, kind and responsible.
Are there any refreshments available?
Yes, our Welsford Bistro is open. Take a look at the menu on the eating and drinking at the cathedral webpage. You can also eat outside but undercover on our Welsford Porch which has great views over Gambier Terrace.
Is the Tower Experience open?
We are pleased to say our Tower experience is now open, and you can once again experience breathtaking views of Liverpool and Beyond.
You can see our opening hours web page for our tower opening hours.
Tickets are:
- Standard £6
- Concession £5
- Family £16 (2 adults, unto 3 children)
They are available from the Cathedral Shop or in advance from www.cathedralshop.com
Please note: if you have asthma, other chest conditions, heart problems, or are pregnant, please think carefully before deciding to whether to climb such a large number of stairs. There are no external views of the city available at the intermediary levels. For Health & Safety reasons it is not possible to allow the public into the Tower whenever the bells are being rung.
Can I visit if I feel unwell or I’ve been in contact with anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19?
Please stay at home if you're feeling unwell, self-isolating or if you or anyone you’ve been in physical contact with has symptoms of coronavirus
We’ll look forward to welcoming you back soon but right now, it’s not worth the risk.
Please be responsible, kind and patient.
Why are you asking for donations?
Like many other organisations in the city and beyond, we're facing an uncertain future. We have a huge shortfall in our income as Liverpool Cathedral has lost nearly all of its revenue over the past year.
We aren’t funded by the Government. The main way the national church supports us is through salaries for our clergy.
Your donations are especially needed and welcome to help keep entry to Liverpool Cathedral free to visitors. It will help preserve your heritage for generations to come.
How can I help support the Cathedral?
There are several ways you can help support Liverpool Cathedral.
You can donate via our portable contactless consoles when you visit us. When purchase items from our Cathedral Shop, you’ll be supporting us too.
Find out more about how you can support us on our Donation website pages.
Thank you for your generosity.
Do I have to wear a face-covering while I'm in the Cathedral?
Wearing a face covering helps keep you, our staff and other visitors safe.
Prayer for Liverpool
We know the past year has been a particularly difficult time for many people in our city, across the nation and in the wider world. We want to continue to be a place of solace to everyone who needs us. If you'd like to ask for prayer for yourself or someone you know, send us a prayer request using our Prayer for Liverpool website.
Our Statistics
- Length: 188.7 m (619 ft)
- Area: 9,687.4 sq. m (104,275 sq. ft)
- Choir Vault: 35.3 m (116 ft)
- Nave Vault: 36.5 m (120 ft)
- Height of Tower: 100.8 m (331 ft)
- Under Tower Vault: 53.3 m (175 ft)
- Tower Arches: 32.6 m (107 ft)
- Bells: (height above ground) 67.0 m (219 ft)
- Bells: (weight) 31.5 tonnes (31 tons).
Image Gallery
See more....
You can visit Liverpool Cathedral for free. But from only £5.50 per person (£4.50 concessions) you can experience our famous tower with stunning city panoramic views plus the chance to see our famous bells. Take a peek inside our Elizabeth Hoare Gallery with exquisite embroideries. Buy your tickets from our Cathedral Shop.
Do the treble...
Three of Liverpool’s most popular attractions, City Explorer Bus Tour, Mersey Ferries and Liverpool Cathedral, have joined forces to offer visitors to the region a new way to see the city. Find out more here.
Visit www.merseyferries.co.uk for more information and T&Cs.
Always something going on..
We’re a vibrant active worshipping community with daily services at different times. We also hold special services and events throughout the year. With cultural events, grand dinners, exhibitions and school and family activities you may find plenty happening on the day you visit, but, we will always have someone still for anyone who needs private prayer and contemplation. To see what’s happening when you’re visiting check our events pages.
A great visit
We want you to have a great visit. So if there is anything you need or are unsure about, then please ask. We usually have volunteer guides and welcomers who will be happy to help.