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Liverpool is one of the most-visited cities in the United Kingdom and is an exciting alternative to the capital city of London. Best known for its music scene and maritime history, visitors flock here to learn about The Beatles and explore Royal Albert Dock. However, there’s much more to discover here than first meets the eye.
Whether you limit your sightseeing to the heart of the city or explore Liverpool’s wider area, you’ll love working your way through everything that this exciting area has to offer. Keep reading for our travel guide of the 17 can’t miss hidden gems in Liverpool.
1. Speke Hall
Photo Credit: Alastair Wallace
- Website: nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/liverpool-lancashire/speke-hall
- Address: The Walk, Speke, Liverpool
- Opening hours: 10.30 am – 5.00 pm daily
Liverpool is home to countless historic buildings, and the Three Graces in the dock area are some of the most famous. For a glimpse of Victorian England architecture without the large crowds, pay a visit to Speke Hall.
This timber-framed Tudor house sits on the banks of the River Mersey and has a turbulent past — including being financed by its original owners’ involvement with the Transatlantic slave trade. This spot makes for a picturesque yet educational visit.
2. The Bluecoat
- Website: thebluecoat.org.uk
- Address: 8 School Ln, Liverpool
- Opening hours: 11.00 am – 5.00 pm Tuesday to Sunday
Head to The Bluecoat — the city’s oldest surviving building — for more fascinating history. Located in the heart of Liverpool, the structure now serves as a contemporary arts center and offers an exciting program of events and exhibitions.
3. Flip Out
- Website: flipout.co.uk/locations/liverpool
- Address: Unit 6 (Lower Ground and Upper Ground Floors Clayton Square Shopping Centre), Liverpool
- Opening hours: 12.00 pm – 8.00 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday / 4.00 pm – 8.00 pm Thursday / 10.00 pm – 8.00 pm Saturday / 10.00 pm – 6.00 pm Sunday
Liverpool ONE is a must-visit shopping and entertainment center and the home of Flip Out — a welcome hidden gem for groups searching for family-friendly fun. There are three floors to explore that feature soft play areas, bumper cars, laser quest, interactive soccer, and more.
4. The Beatles Hidden Gems
Liverpool is famously the home of The Beatles, and there are several popular tours and museums that’ll tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the Fab Four. However, many tourists miss these two Beatle-related hidden gems:
Abbey Road Mural
- Website: www.visitliverpool.com/listing/abbey-road-mural/45451101/
- Address: Grafton Street, Liverpool, L8 6RG
- Opening hours: 24 hours
This Beatles-themed street art on Grafton Street depicts the iconic Abbey Road album cover. Walk across the zebra crossing and recreate the original image as a fun souvenir snap.
Eleanor Rigby’s Grave
- Website: stpeters-woolton.org.uk
- Address: 39-43 Church Rd, Liverpool
- Opening hours: 24 hours
John Lennon and Paul McCartney regularly took shortcuts through the grounds of St Peters church in Woolton when they were growing up. That church’s graveyard is home to Eleanor Rigby’s grave, and that name became the title of a hit song written by McCartney. You can still see the gravestone on the left of the church today.
5. Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre
- Website: williamsontunnels.co.uk
- Address: The Old Stableyard, Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre, Smithdown Ln, Liverpool
- Opening hours: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm Friday to Sunday
This hidden gem is literally hidden because it’s underground! Created by tobacco merchant Joseph Williamson between 1810 and 1840, the Williamson Tunnels can now be visited on a walking tour to discover exhibitions about the life of their creator and 19th-century Liverpool in general.
6. Old Dock Tour
- Website: liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/whatson/maritime-museum/event/old-dock-tour
- Address: Maritime Museum, Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool
- Opening hours: 10.00 am, 12.00 pm and 2.30 pm on Wednesdays, Fridays and every other Thursday & Saturday
If you prefer your walking tours to take place above land, you might want to join one of the Royal Albert Dock instead. This area was home to many engineering firsts in Britain, and it shaped the foundations on which modern Liverpool was built. Tours start at the huge anchor outside Merseyside Maritime Museum.
7. Berry and Rye
- Website: berryandrye.uk
- Address: 48 Berry St, Liverpool L1 4JQ
- Opening hours: 5.00 pm – 1.00 am Sunday to Thursday / 5.00 pm – 2.00 am Friday & Saturday
When it comes to Liverpool nightlife, most people think of live music at legendary spots like The Cavern Club (where The Beatles played their first gig). If you’re looking for a more luxurious way to spend your evenings, check out Berry & Rye cocktail bar. Located in the heart of Liverpool, this prohibition-themed cocktail bar is famous for jazz music and gin-based drinks.
8. National Waterways Museum
Photo Credit: Beverley Goodwin via Flickr CC 2.0
- Website: canalrivertrust.org.uk/national-waterways-museum
- Address: S Pier Rd, Ellesmere Port, Liverpool
- Opening hours: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm daily
If your tour of Royal Albert Dock has whet your appetite for more maritime history, check out the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port. Here, you’ll be greeted by Victorian-era buildings and informative exhibits where you can learn all about the famous Manchester Ship Canal. The highlight is undoubtedly seeing the many fascinating locks of the canal.
9. Sefton Park Fairy Glen
Photo Credit: Jessica Louise Lleb
- Website: visitliverpool.com/listing/sefton-park
- Address: Mossley Hill Dr, Liverpool
- Opening hours: 7.00 am – 10.00 pm daily
Sefton Park is one of the best-known green spaces in Liverpool, and many tourists visit Palm House, a glass-domed botanical garden, during their time in the city.
The Fairy Glen, however, is often overlooked. This charming part of the park is encompassed by lush trees and features a pretty waterfall. It’s at its most beautiful in spring when colorful rhododendrons blanket the area.
10. The Bombed Out Church (St. Luke’s Church)
Photo Credit: raymond orton
- Website: slboc.com
- Address: Leece St, Liverpool L1 2TR
- Opening hours: The open-day calendar varies depending on events; check the website before you visit
This historic church lost its roof in WWII when Liverpool was heavily bombed, and it remains that way to this day. The church is now part urban garden, part event space. Check the events calendar for craft fairs, live music, and quiz nights scheduled during your visit.
11. Western Approaches Museum
- Website: liverpoolwarmuseum.co.uk
- Address: 1-3 Rumford St, Liverpool
- Opening hours: 10.00 am – 5.00 pm daily
Liverpool was central to Britain’s efforts during WWII, and this former command bunker is a hidden gem from which you can learn all about this infamous time in modern history.
The bunker was built as part of the Western Approaches Command, and it worked to prevent German U-boats from attacking Allied convoys. The team stationed here had the important role of reporting the movement of enemy convoys to the War Cabinet in London. The bunker has been preserved since 15th August 1945, when its doors closed for the final time.
12. The Philharmonic Dining Rooms
Photo Credit: Sharon VanderKaay via Flickr CC 2.0
- Website: prisonhistory.org
- Address: 36 Hope Street, Liverpool
- Opening hours: 10.00 am – 11.00 pm Monday to Thursday / 11.00 am – 12.00 pm Friday & Saturday / 11.00 am – 10.30 pm Sunday
The Liverpool Philharmonic is an iconic events venue, but few people know about the pub of the same name. The inside of this drinking den is simply stunning — think mahogany carvings, roaring fireplaces, and an intricate tiled bar. Order a pint of ale for a true English experience.
13. The Black-E
- Website: theblack-e.org
- Address: The Blackie, 1 Great George St, Liverpool
- Opening hours: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm Tuesday to Sunday
The North West is home to some of the biggest events venues in the UK, but there are countless independent places to see live performances if you know where to look. The Black-E is one of these smaller venues — check the schedule to see what’s on during your visit.
Tip: The venue is located within Britain’s oldest Chinese and African-Caribbean community, and the area boasts some of the city’s best international cuisine, so be sure to bring your own appetite.
14. Queen Avenue
- Website: theguideliverpool.com/whats-on-queen-avenue
- Address: Queen Ave, Liverpool
- Opening hours: 24 hours, individual business hours vary
Queen Avenue is home to one of the best hidden gems for fans of British history. Look between the Tune Hotel and an Italian pizza restaurant, and you’ll spot a narrow alley. Walk under the archway, and you’ll be transported back to Victorian England with rows of original buildings to admire. Even the Georgian lamp posts are still standing!
15. Big Fang Karaoke
- Website: golffang.co.uk/liverpool-karaoke
- Address: 29-31 Parliament St, Liverpool
- Opening hours: 4.00 pm – 11.00 pm Monday to Wednesday / 4.00 pm – 12.00 am Thursday / 1.00 pm – 1.00 am Friday / 11.00 am – 1.00 am Saturday / 11.00 pm – 10.00 pm Sunday
This Japanese-style karaoke bar in the heart of the Baltic Triangle is a fun-packed destination for a night out with a difference. The venue transports singers to Tokyo with its neon lighting and nostalgic decor. There are four rooms to choose from at this popular spot, each hosting between four and 25 karaoke singers. The rooms book up in advance so be sure to make a reservation.
16. Crosby Beach
Photo Credit: silvergull
- Address: Crosby Beach, Merseyside
- Opening hours: 24 hours
Crosby Beach isn’t a swimming or sunbathing place but rather an outdoor art gallery. It’s home to a series of sculptures by famous British artist Antony Gormley. The piece is called Another Place and features 100 iron-cast human figures that stretch for around a mile and go out to sea.
17. William MacKenzie’s Tomb
- Address: 5-7 Rodney Street, Liverpool
- Opening hours: 7.00 am – 10.00 pm daily
This is possibly the strangest of all the hidden gems on our list! This unique burial site of a former engineer is comprised of a 4.5-meter tombstone shaped like a pyramid. The legend has it that MacKenzie’s ghost roams the surrounding area, so keep your eyes peeled during your visit.
Tip: Liverpool Cathedral is a short walk from the tomb, so the two sights can be easily combined.
Get to Know Liverpool’s Hidden Gems
Liverpool is one of the most underrated cities in Europe, and a visit will reward you with all the attractions and entertainment you could ever wish for. Which hidden gems will you uncover first?
