A Guide to Liverpool’s Maritime History

Albert Dock 1920
albert-dock-liverpool

Liverpool has an extensive maritime history that has defined our culture, heritage and characters. In celebration of our seafaring heritage, the Merseyside Maritime Museum opened in 1980 and has been providing collections that will educate and entertain.

Once offering the world’s most influential port, Liverpool served as the gateway to the world. The city undoubtedly played a role in the transatlantic slave trade, emigration, the merchant navy and was the port of registry to many of the world’s most famous liners, such as RMS Titanic. Liverpool also played an integral role in the Second World War effort, with the Battle of the Atlantic fought and won in Liverpool.

Visitors can now step inside the Merseyside Maritime Museum to view artefacts from the city’s maritime past. Uncover genuine items from RMS Titanic, view a significant collection of items from RMS Lusitania or view one of the finest ship model collections in the country.

Immerse yourself into centuries of maritime history, from the world of smuggling and tax evasion to the most famous maritime disaster of all time. What’s more, it won’t cost you a penny to enter the Merseyside Maritime Museum.

Tours of the Old Dock

Not only can you tour remarkable memorabilia at the Merseyside Maritime Museum, but you can also take a tour of the Old Dock. You can book a tour of the world’s first commercial enclosed wet dock for free, walking through the revolutionary dock that has been carefully preserved under Liverpool One – and you can even see the bed of the pool, which is the creek that gave Liverpool its name.

Maritime Dining Room

Award-winning chefs will create truly tasty meals at the Maritime Dining Room, which was featured in the Michelin Guide for four consecutive years. Enjoy everything from a traditional Sunday roast to decadent afternoon tea, or just select a dish from the modern regional menu, each created with locally sourced, seasonal produce.

Quayside Café

If you are looking for a lighter bite, visit the Quayside Café on the ground floor of the museum, which offers freshly-made sandwiches, pastries, cakes, snacks and hot and cold drinks. You can also choose to sit inside or enjoy the beauty of the Albert Dock outside under the colonnades.

At a Glance:

  • Genuine memorabiliaSchool and group visits
  • Onsite restaurant and café
  • Ground floor shop
  • Group bookings
  • Free WiFi in the café and Maritime Archives and Library
  • Cloakroom
  • Picnic area
  • Bookable tours

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