I was so excited to see that Liverpool had a Tate branch because I'm very aware of the London…read morelocation. It was so convenient that most of the museums were directly across the street from our Hilton hotel. This location is perfect most of the tourist spots were dotted all along the dock area here! It was a rainy day too so we were so lucky to be so close. After London we were so weary of cabs even though the most of the cabs are those vintage large black ones where your luggage can go at your feet. Most of the museums have had a donation box near the entrance/exit areas. This is smart because I definitely gave more on some occasions when we were thrilled with the exhibits. I actually tend to give more at the end of a visit instead of upfront. Some places ask straight away and some have a collection box near the exits. I think people are more generous after enjoying the museum fully. There were many beautiful exhibits inside. Many works associated with a "color" theme throughout the museum. I was very surprised to find pieces by Paul Klee and Pablo Picasso inside. Actually I had never seen this piece by Pablo and I loved it! His work is so different with each decade his style changed and evolved. If you travel to Liverpool I would highly suggest staying at the Hilton, all the museums are just a few blocks ahead to the port. Loved this Tate!

I was so excited to visit the Tate museum to see the Don McCullin exhibition that I had booked well…read morein advance. Don McCullin is a photographer that takes photos of war and famine and poverty, my type of photos of things that are real and hard hitting and it certainly didn't disappoint. The photos I saw were powerful and thought provoking and sometimes disturbing and I left in awe. The Tate museum and gallery in Liverpool is fantastic and well worth a visit put this on your itinerary.

This is an interesting gallery space although I use the term gallery quite loosely…read more The View 2 doesn't really hang many of its work in a traditional sense but seems to display it in any available space as and when it arrives. I have been in for specific exhibitions when some space is cleared on the top floor but mainly a collection of various work by all sorts of artists hangs along the staircase or propped along the floor. It gives the place an organic feel far removed from many sterile arts spaces but then anyone wishing to really take in what is on offer here will be a bit distracted by the pieces cobbled together. i think it is an enjoyable experiences as you feel like you have the run of an eccentric collector's attic and could stumble across a little gem with the next flight of stairs.

Galleries, galleries. We can't move for blooming galleries. Hey, I'm not complaining when they're…read moreas classy as this! It's just about the friendliest art gallery I've ever encountered. Not only are the works rather spiffing and the location exceptionally central, you'll get a complimentary drink on a Saturday afternoon while you view the art. I'm there! Taxi? Or train. Indeed, you can easily pop in here from Central or Lime Street. The space is used absolutely beautifully, I love for example the paintings on bare brick walls and the way some of them are crammed together almost collage-like. A lot of the exhibits are quintessentially Liverpudlian too - you'll see depictions of the city's streets during times gone by, some handsome portraits of Mr Lennon and these are all available for sale. Yep, this is a proper gallery as you can purchase paintings, obviously if you're made of money but if you're stumped for cash it's just as nice to sit back and take them in here. I'd heartily recommend a visit here. Unfortunately it's not wheelchair accessible due to circumstance and the building itself, but if you get a chance do pop in as it's one of the more unique ones in the city.

The Lady Lever Art Gallery owes its existence to the fortune amassed by the 1st Lord Leverhulme…read morefrom his soap and detergents business, better known to us as Lever Bros. Lord Leverhulme actually began purchasing art in the late 19th century to advertise his 'Sunlight' soap brand, and from this commercial beginning he developed a substantial collection of British 18th and 19th century art, an extensive collection of ceramics (including Classical items as well as early Wedgwood), tapestries and antique furniture. The gallery itself was built in 1922 in memory of Leverhulme's wife. Set in the lovely surroundings of Port Sunlight village - itself an example of enlightened philanthropy, as it was built to provide high quality housing for Leverhulme's workers - the gallery is small, but the quality of the exhibits is high. The paintings include items by Sir Joshua Reynolds, Stubbs, Turner and Constable, and a substantial number of pre-Raphaelite works, with pictures by Leighton, Millais, Burne-Jones, Rossetti and Holman-Hunt. The ceramics include an outstanding collection of Wedgwood, high quality items of Chinese porcelain from the Ming, Qing and Kangxi periods, and Roman and Greek sculptures and vases. Other collections include some late mediaeval tapestries and English furniture from the 16th-19th centuries, considered the definitive period of fine English cabinet-making. The gallery has a small cafe and surprisingly good provision for children, including an 'artbase' trolley containing lots of materials for dressing up and drawing, and a selection of children's work sheets and gallery trails. The site is a short walk from Bebington railway station on the Merseyrail network (14 minutes from Liverpool Central, trains every 15 minutes), and has ample car parking on site. It makes for a delightful afternoon excursion from Liverpool, and admission is free.

The Lady Lever Art Gallery is famous for its Pre-Raphaelite paintings but also has other…read moreoutstanding collections. It is named after Lever's wife, and is based in Port Sunlight on the Wirral. Interesting fact: Lever built Port Sunlight village to house his workers. It houses a great collection of paintings as well as furniture, Chinese collections, tapestries, sculpture, Wedgwood and classical antiquities in a beautiful building. There are several rooms, centred around the main hall. The paintings on display include pieces by Reynolds, Gainsborough, Stubbs, Turner, Millais, Rossetti, Holman Hunt and Waterhouse. The gallery also includes a restaurant where the cakes are delicious and soup looks lovely.

Are you lost? A stranger to these parts? In search of artistic stimulation or inspiration?…read more You've found yourself in the right place then. I didn't know this Service Station existed. You could walk past oblivious, reaching the grand entrance to The Bluecoat without realising that you have skipped past the artist/poet in residence exhibition rooms. All concrete and white walls, art and poetry on the walls, a thought-provoking video installation and one of the artists sat willing to chat about his work. At the moment the exhibit is Mistranslations which had some great works mixing Spanish and English. There are gaps between residences but the website will keep you updated, fear not! So if you're walking on by, don't be a stranger and stop in. Even if it's just for 5 minutes it'll give you some food for thought for the day.

There are some really good vibes and support going on in Liverpool when it comes to the arts and…read morethere are quite a few places and organisations that are concerned with offering affordable studio space. Arena Studios is one of them. After a shift in premises in 2008, Arena has held a number of exhibitions and continues to do so. My last visit to the gallery was last september for the 'degree of uncertainty' exhibition which showcased the work of fine art graduates from uni's in the North West. I was fairly surprised at how good the work was, photography, illustration, painting and sculpture.

In August 2023 I contacted Harrisons Memorials to perform some repair and relettering to our…read morefamily grave. I had been let down by another company. However, when I explained to Mark and his staff(Collette) they swung into action and performed excellent work. This allowed my family and me to celebrate my parents anniversary. The work was top class and I am deeply grateful. Harrisons treat people with respect and employ excellent staff. For my part I feel reassured that I have a company I can call upon if required. Thank you once again for the respect you showed. George Martland

The Williamson Art Gallery and Museum has remained a centre of artistic life in Birkenhead ever…read moresince it opened its doors. Large oil paintings, themed art displays, local pottery and porcelain as well as models of the famous Mersey ferries, together make up half of the gallery's space. While art and maritime collections form the bcakbone of the displays, the exhibition programme is unrivalled for its size and variety. As wonderful as it gets, I'd only recommend this place if you are into arts and history otherwise you may just end up yawning!

Located outside the centre of Birkenhead, the Williamson Art Gallery stands at the core of the…read moreWirral Museums Service, offering more space than any other in its purpose-built galleries. The single storey building (accessibility is good) is Neo Georgian in style. Its collection includes Victorian oil paintings including works by Philip Steer, English watercolours, Liverpool Porcelain, and Della Robbia Pottery. It also has a large collection of ship models, focusing on Cammell Laird shipbuilders, the Mersey Ferries, and the vessels that used the River Mersey. In addition to the permanent collection a great effort is put into sustaining a spirited programme of temporary exhibitions. Here the emphasis is on a celebration of the local art scene, but work is also drawn from outside to showcase the best.

Great art gallery right in the centre of Liverpool, only 5 mins walk from Lime Street train…read morestation. A good way to while a way an hour or so, but not so big you get 'art-blindness'! Many free, but some paid exhibitions to visit. A cafe downstairs and a small shop are there too. Friendly staff. Lift access available to second floor.

Isn't it just fantastic that these types of places are FREE!…read more Close to St George's Hall and the Birkenhead Tunnel. Not much parking close by - the only one I found was on William Brown Street. I was thirsty when I arrived and so headed for the Gallery cafe - pretty relaxed and catered for my needs. Once finished I past by the gift shop which looked really attractive with books, cards, posters and jewellery. The Gallery boasts the 'best collection of fine and decorative arts in the North of England'. I am not sure I am by any means the best judge of that - but I did have a great time. The Gallery's collections cover European painting from the Renaissance to today and include European Old Master paintings by Rubens, Poussin and Rembrandt, Pre Raphaelite masterpieces by Millais, Rossetti and Holman Hunt. I must say, thought, that my favourite part of the whole Gallery is the 'Big Art for Little Artists' which is an interactive gallery for children aged under 8. Kids can get creative and make their own masterpieces, dress up as characters from the artworks or follow a trail around the gallery.