VISITORS are being given the opportunity to take an exclusive peek behind the scenes of 1 of Liverpool’s most historic and important landmarks this summer.

Cunard Building Heritage Tours are being held on selected days from June to August, offering history lovers exclusive access to the City’s transatlantic past.

And the Grade II* Listed building’s historic Arrivals Hall will also host a special 50-stall market on:- Wednesday, 17 June 2026 to coincide with a visit to the City by Cunard’s Queen Anne.

The newest ship in the Cunard fleet, Queen Anne was officially named in Liverpool in 2024 in a ceremony which saw the City of Liverpool receive the proud honour of being appointed the ship’s godparent – a world 1st for a City.

The heritage market runs from 10am to 5pm and follows a similar event staged during the visit of Queen Mary 2 last year. The 17 June market will include a range of local traders selling products including food, drink, artwork, jewellery, gifts and much more.

Entry is free and accessible via the Strand entrance.

Meanwhile the new summer heritage tour dates follow the huge success of an initial run last Christmas where tickets for the fascinating guided trip into the past were quickly snapped up.

Led by expert guides from Liverpool City Council’s Heritage team, the one-hour Cunard Building Heritage Tour takes visitors to areas of the waterfront landmark normally never seen by the public.

With its design inspired by the grand palazzos of Renaissance Italy, the Portland stone-clad Cunard Building was opened on:- Monday 12 June 1916 as the headquarters of the world-famous shipping line and played a central role in transatlantic travel, migration and maritime history.

Discover how the building functioned during the height of the liner era, explore the craftsmanship that shaped its Beaux-Arts design, and hear stories of the people who worked and travelled through the Cunard Building – from seafarers and migrants to the cultural figures who helped define Liverpool’s international identity.

The tour heads deep into the atmospheric basement levels as well as exploring the opulent and historic ground floor Arrivals Hall which once welcomed passengers from across the globe, and which still boast the architectural detail, stories and character of Liverpool’s golden age of ocean travel.

Weekend dates also include access to the upper boardrooms, giving people an additional opportunity to experience some of the waterfront landmark’s most impressive interiors.

Councillor Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said:- “These Cunard Building tours are an incredible opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at one of Liverpool’s most important landmarks and discover more about this vital piece of our City’s history. The 3 Graces form an iconic part of our world-famous skyline, and the Cunard Building has its own special story to tell. Wednesday 17 June offers the unique chance to combine one of these tours with a browse around our popular heritage market and a shoreside viewing of the newest ship in Cunard’s fleet, Queen Anne, ahead of the hugely anticipated Four Queens visit in 2028.”

Alan Smith, Liverpool’s Head of Heritage, Preservation and Development, added:- “We’re pleased to be able to continue to host the tours of the Cunard Building which take people down into its working heart. It’s amazing to see the infrastructure that is still in situ, from the massive shipping line’s safes, where passengers’ valuables were held, to the luggage racking which gives a genuine insight into what travellers to the New World encountered. Then visitors descend into the basement areas to see how the building was used as an air raid shelter during the Second World War. It is a great opportunity to see the operations of one of Liverpool’s most iconic venues.”

Tickets for all tours must be booked in advance, and demand for 17 June is expected to be high, so early booking is recommended.

For more details and tickets visit Cunard Building Heritage Tours 

For more information on the market visit this website. 


CUNARD BUILDING HERITAGE TOURS LISTING INFORMATION

Cunard Building
Water Street
Liverpool
L3 1AH

Date:- June to August, from Thursday to Sunday with selected Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Time:- 11am/12.30pm/2pm
Tickets:- £15

HOW TO BOOK
Online:- Cunard Building Heritage Tours

*Ticket prices are inclusive of all fees and charges