Liverpool Cathedral
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Liverpool
What it’s like
Free to wander the cathedral itself, with a paid Tower climb for city views and a hunt for hidden treasures along the way.
Getting in is free, and that alone makes it worth an afternoon if you've got kids who like big spaces and echoey ceilings. There are children's trails to follow and audio tours with a kids' version, plus a general hunt for hidden treasures dotted around the building. In school holidays they run free activities on spiritual themes, which is a nice bonus if you happen to be there at the right time.
The Tower Experience is the bit kids will remember, but it costs extra: £8 standard, £6.50 concession, or £22.50 for a family of two adults and up to three children. It's a lot of stairs with no views at the halfway points, so pace yourself and don't expect a breather. Anyone with asthma, chest problems or heart issues is told to think carefully before starting the climb, and the Tower shuts entirely when the bells are being rung, which happens on a few Sundays across the year, so a September or October Sunday visit might catch it closed.
The building itself takes a while to get round properly, the site itself says as much, so don't plan it as a quick stop between other things. The Welsford Bistro does hot food, soup, fish and chips and homemade cakes, and there's an outdoor covered spot on the Welsford Porch with views over Gambier Terrace if you want air without the weather. Parking on site is pay-on-exit, first half hour free then £2.50 up to an hour, £4 up to three, and it fills up fast so don't rely on it being free.
Wheelchair access is good, with a lift from the car park and most of the building on one level, though the chair lift to the Well and Education Centre has a 220kg weight limit. Dogs are welcome too, which is a nice surprise for a cathedral.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- No set age range given, but the trails suit children old enough to follow a hunt round the building
- Last entry
- 15 minutes before closing
- Parking
- On-site pay-on-exit car park. First 30 minutes free, then £2.50 up to 1 hour, £4.00 up to 3 hours
- How long to allow
- Our building takes a while to get around
- Food
- Welsford Bistro serves hot and cold baguettes, paninis, Scouse, soup, fish and chips, burgers, and homemade cakes
- Wheelchairs
- Manual wheelchairs available free of charge (subject to availability)
- Dogs
- Welcome. Assistance dogs especially welcome and can be provided with water bowls on request
- Getting there by bus or train
- 30-minute walk from Lime Street and Central railway stations
- Climbing the Tower means a lot of stairs with no views until you reach the top, so think twice if anyone has a heart or chest condition
- The Tower shuts on several specific Sundays in 2026 for bell ringing
- The car park is first-come, first-served, so it can fill up
- Free activities on spiritual themes run through school holidays
- Sunday mornings are for worship between 10 and 12, so come at midday for the full visitor experience
Plan your visit
How much does it cost to get in?
Getting into the Cathedral itself is free. The Tower Experience is extra, £8 standard, £6.50 concession, £22.50 for a family ticket covering two adults and up to three children.
Do we need to book ahead?
No booking is needed, you can just turn up during opening hours.
What are the opening hours?
Open 10am to 6pm every day, Monday through Sunday. Last entry is 15 minutes before closing.
Is the Tower always open?
Not always. It closes on certain Sundays for bell ringing, so check the date if the Tower is the main reason you're going.
How long should we plan for a visit?
The site itself says the building takes a while to get round, so give it more than a quick hour if you want to do the trails and the Tower.
Is it OK for a toddler?
There's no age guidance given, but the trails and treasure hunt suggest it suits children old enough to follow a simple activity around a big building.
Is there anywhere to eat?
The Welsford Bistro does baguettes, paninis, Scouse, soup, fish and chips, burgers and homemade cakes, with vegetarian and vegan options. There's also covered outdoor seating on the Welsford Porch.
What about parking?
There's an on-site pay-on-exit car park, first 30 minutes free then £2.50 up to an hour and £4 up to three hours. It's first-come, first-served and limited, so don't count on a space in busy periods.
Can we bring the dog?
Dogs are welcome, and assistance dogs can get a water bowl on request.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Most of the Cathedral is on a single level with a lift from the car park to the main door. There's a chair lift to the Well and Education Centre, though it has a 220kg weight limit.
Are there toilets and baby changing?
There are toilets, an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities on site.
How do we get there without a car?
It's about a 30-minute walk from Lime Street or Central station, or buses run to the Cathedral every 12 minutes.
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