Last Updated: March 8, 2024
We love a self-guided walking tour and we’ve done this in various locations over the years. And our home city of Liverpool is an awesome place to take an urban stroll.
Although it’s pretty large, it’s actually pretty compact in the centre of the city. And you can get around a vast amount of highlights in a reasonably short distance and time.
The best things about doing a walking tour self-guided is you can go at your own pace and it’s free!
So if you fancy walking around (or ‘scooting’ around in our kids case) one of the greatest cities in the world then read on for our suggested route.
This is proposed as an outdoor walk to see the sites from the exterior. But you can of course enter some of the sites if you fancy. Although many on the list will need half or a whole day to visit.
Click Here for the Walking Route Directions on Google Maps
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Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral
We start off at the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. One of the more modern cathedrals, with completion taking place in 1967.
You can admire from the outside or you can venture inside and gaze upwards through the funnel with the colours from the stain-glass windows shining down on you and stand in awe at the huge organ.
You can even go a little further and also take a tour of Lutyens Crypt and Treasury. Open between10.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Saturday with an entrance fee of around £5 per person with family tickets available.
The Cathedral is usually open from 7.30am to 6.00pm daily, but check out the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral website for timings and other information.
St George’s Hall
Opposite Lime Street Station, so one of the first things visitors see if they enter Liverpool by train, is St George’s Hall.
And what a first site it is!
This huge Neoclassic building of Roman and Greek influence, is an architectural master piece.
You’ll also spy St John’s Beacon in the background.
Once home to a 5 star revolving restaurant it is now used by the local Radio City to broadcast from. With a viewing platform as well to boot.
St George’s Hall is a common spot for many of Liverpool’s gatherings such as vigils and memorials. Inside there are concert halls where lots of events take place.
And it has also been used as backdrops for numerous projects. Recently it formed part of the filming of The Batman Movie!
World Museum & Central Library
Head behind St George’s Hall and wonder through the peaceful St John’s Gardens and you will arrive at Liverpool’s World Museum.
The outside of the building is beautiful and inside is a also a treat when open. Entrance is free and it’s an especially good museum for kids. With an aquarium, dinosaurs, bugs and regular guest exhibits.
Unfortunately there is currently industrial action taking place that means the Word Museum amongst others in Liverpool may be closed until April 2024. For more information head to the Liverpool World Museum website.
Next door is the Central Library, another stunning building.
Feel free to enter and it has a children’s section you can head to for little ones to have a rest and a read of their favourite adventures!
Superlambanana
If you’re not from Liverpool you may have never heard this word before you might think I’ve got my spell check switched off. But this is an actual thing!
The Superlambanana is a huge yellow sculpture which is half lamb, half banana (get it now?).
Designed originally by Japanese artist Taro Chiezo, it is a reference to the possible dangers of biological engineering. With the Liverpool influence residing from Liverpool’s dock history, when both sheep and bananas were common cargo.
As you venture round Liverpool you may spot some of the other mini–superlambananas.
125 of these smaller versions were made in 2008 when Liverpool celebrated being the Capital of Culture and were placed all around the city, each with their own unique design.
They were later auctioned off, but many still remain in Liverpool so keep your eye’s peeled and see how many you can spot!
Mathew Street
Next we’re taking a stop for all you Beatles fans.
Mathew Street is home to the Cavern Club, one of the most famous venues that the ‘Fab Four’ played at amongst many other great stars (I actually played there back in my drumming days!).
Although not the original venue, due to the first club being demolished. The new venue was built with as much nostalgia as possible. Covering part of old footprint of the original club and using many of it’s bricks and replicating the rooms to a finite degree.
There’s regular live music here, so if you’re wondering past and hear something you like, maybe nip in for a drink or two.
Also on Mathew Street is the Beatles Museum if you want to learn even more about the iconic band. You can get tickets and more info on the Beatles Museum website.
Royal Liver Building
We’re heading towards the water front now and one of the most famous buildings in Liverpool is on the way.
The Liver Building is a stunning construct wit the 2 Liver Birds sat proudly at the top watching over the city and the River Mersey. And legend has it, that if they ever fly off, Liverpool will disappear!
With it’s two neighbours, the Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building, the trio are collectively known as the ‘Three Graces‘. With these towering buildings casting dominating shadows over Liverpool’s Water Front, our next stop…
Liverpool Water Front
Walk across from the Liver Building until you hit the Mersey. Then you can amble down the Pier Head passing many stops on the way.
With the Titanic Memorial, Beatles Statue, Museum of Liverpool, International Slavery Museum and Tate Liverpool (double check which are currently open due to industrial action in 2024 on the Liverpool Museum website).
And if you need to take a small detour from our walking trip, you can take a Ferry Across the Mersey as well from here. Over the Wirral there is the awesome Science Museum Eureka! If you want to get your kids science juices flowing.
Back on Liverpool soil, continue on and take a stroll around Royal Albert Dock.
If you want something to eat on the way there are lots of eating establishments. With many of them having outdoor seating you can have a bite or drink by the water front.
Walk a little further on from the Albert Dock and you will get to the Wheel of Liverpool. Where you can take a 360 degree vertical trip and see Liverpool and the Docks from 60m up.
You’ll overlook Arena Liverpool a venue which has hosted huge events overt the years.
Chinatown
Liverpool’s Chinatown is the oldest in Europe. You can’t miss it with the enormous Chinese Arch being your gateway, which is the biggest arch outside of China.
Take on the challenge of counting all the dragon’s on the arch, of which there are 200!
If you’re lucky enough to be in Liverpool on Chinese New Year it is a really great event to be a part of. With dragon dances, fire crackers and shows throughout the day and night.
But even if you’re not in Liverpool at the time of the Chinese New Year, it is still a great experience to walk through Liverpool’s Chinatown and past the Chinese style street décor. Maybe stopping for some delicious Chinese food on the way.
And as you walk through the arch you will also notice a large building. Once a chapel now used for various community events, the Black-E is known by all in Liverpool.
The name comes from it’s once black appearance in the 1960s created from smog and grime covering the chapel over numerous years. Although it’s now been cleaned and no longer appears black the name has stuck, even if the grime hasn’t!
Baltic Triangle
Wonder through the Baltic Triangle down Jamaica Street and the surrounding area and you will witness some amazing street art.
Once a highly industrial area with many factories and warehouses, these have now been transformed into independent bars and cafes.
Including the Baltic Market, located in the old Cain’s Brewery, (Liverpool’s local parchment before production stopped in 2013) where you can try an array of food.
Liverpool Anglican Cathedral
We’re now heading to Liverpool’s other Cathedral. Probably my favourite of the two. It really is a site to behold.
The Anglican Cathedral is free to enter and is as stunning inside as it is out.
You can also head up the tower for a fee of around £6 per person or £16 for and family ticket. It is worth the cost with amazing views of Liverpool from the top.
You will also be able to see the Bell Chamber, home to the many bells of the cathedral, the biggest being ‘Great George‘, which is actually larger than the famous ‘Big Ben’ in London!
Get your tickets and info on the Liverpool Cathedral website.
Seeing it from the outside is also great if you don’t want to head in.
Just take a pleasant stroll through the surrounding St James’ Mount and Gardens in the mighty Cathedral’s shadow. Which is one of our favourite green spaces in Liverpool for a stroll. Popping out the other side ready to walk to our final stop.
St Luke’s Bombed-Out Church
Our last stop is St Luke’s Church or just ‘the bombed-out church’ as locally known.
Whilst severely damaged due to the Liverpool Blitz in 1941 with no roof present anymore, it still manages to look incredible. And is now used as a café amongst other things.
“The bombed-out church” is common meeting spot for Scousers before they head off on a night out to one of the many bars and restaurants on Bold Street or Seal Street or the other areas of town.
So, now you’ve experienced Liverpool by day. Why not get down there and enjoy one of the best nights out in the world!