There is a long list of free things to do in Liverpool, and visiting some of its most treasured museums and galleries is on that list. If you are hoping to kill time, have a genuine interest in maritime history, or love nothing more than gazing at an eye-opening painting, make your way to Liverpool’s docklands. You’ll find a cultural hub of museums showcasing free exhibitions.
Although there are a number of places to visit in and around the Albert Dock, including the International Slavery Museum and Walker Art Gallery, we are spotlighting five of the most popular museums and galleries in Liverpool.
1. Tate Liverpool
Explore one of the four Tate art galleries at the Albert Dock in Liverpool. Visitors can enjoy free admission to the Tate Gallery’s free collection which features the national collection of British art from 1500 to the present day, and international modern and contemporary art. From David Hockney’s A Bigger Splash (1967) to Paula Rego’s War (2003), you’ll find yourself immersed in pop art, grotesque, and so many other worlds of art. If you are truly an art fanatic, become a member of the Tate and gain access to unlimited free exhibition entry.
đź“ŤRoyal Albert Dock, Liverpool
2. Open Eye Gallery
The Open Eye Gallery is a non-profit contemporary photography gallery and archive in Liverpool. The independent gallery produces publications, exhibitions, long-term collaborative projects, and festivals. If you have a keen eye for photography or are looking for something to do on a quiet Sunday afternoon, the Open Eye Gallery’s doors are open to the public for free. Past exhibitions at the gallery have included Craig Easton: Is Anybody Listening?, Planting for the Planet, and Photography on Wellbeing.
đź“Ť19 Mann Island, Liverpool
3. Museum of Liverpool
Another world-class site where you can discover free exhibitions in Liverpool is at the Museum of Liverpool. Get lost in the social and community history collections showcasing the history of Liverpool and its people. The Wondrous Place gallery, for example, is a permanent fixture in the museum celebrating the city’s musicians, writers, sports people, and more. See Spice Girl Mel C’s stage costume, Natasha Jonas’s Miss GB boxing shorts, and Beatles suits.
đź“ŤPier Head, Liverpool
4. World Museum
Visiting Liverpool’s World Museum is the perfect family day out. The Aquarium is home to Nemo fish, rays, skates, and sharks. Learn more about dinosaurs and the natural world, take a 5,000-year-old journey to Ancient Egypt, and gaze into the universe at the planetarium. General admission is free and facilities such as the Picnic Room, free buggy park, and lockers simplify a trip to the World Museum.
5. Merseyside Maritime Museum
From Liverpool’s role in the Titanic’s story to a tour of the Old Dock, the Maritime Museum covers the city’s seafaring past. Enter a nautical world for free and discover the Titanic collection, Liverpool shipping posters, and the Lusitania collection. Ship models, paintings, and the Edmund Gardner pilot ship are some of the highlights to look forward to when visiting the Maritime Museum. If you’re feeling peckish after a few hours submerged in sea stories, the Maritime cafĂ© is located on the ground floor with views of the Albert Dock.