Anglican Cathedral
Liverpool Cathedral (Anglican) — Britain's largest cathedral, 5th largest in the world. Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott (also designed the iconic red phone box). Construction took 74 years (1904-1978).
- Address: St James' Mount, L1 7AZ
- Open: 8am-6pm daily
- Cost: Free
- Highlights: Britain's largest organ (10,268 pipes), highest gothic arch in the world (53m), tallest cathedral interior
Catholic Cathedral
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral (Catholic) — known locally as "Paddy's Wigwam" or "the Mersey Funnel". Architect Frederick Gibberd. Cone-shaped concrete with a stained-glass crown of glass.
- Address: Mount Pleasant, L3 5TQ
- Open: 7:30am-6pm daily
- Cost: Free
- Highlights: Concrete cone interior, crown of stained glass, Lutyens crypt below (separate £4 entry, original pre-1958 plan)
Hope Street Walk
The 1 km of Hope Street connects the two cathedrals — and is named for the optimism of joining them. Highlights along the way:
- Philharmonic Hall — concert hall, see the Liverpool Philharmonic
- The Philharmonic Dining Rooms — Grade I-listed pub with marble urinals (Beatles drank here)
- Suitcase sculpture — public art at Cathedral end
- Penny Lane bus stop reference — original Beatles barber shop area
- Liverpool Institute — Paul McCartney's old school (now LIPA)
Tower Climb
Anglican Cathedral tower climb (£5.50) — 108m up, two lifts and a 108-step climb to the top. Best panoramic view of Liverpool, the Mersey and across to Wales on a clear day.
- Open 10am-4:30pm (last entry)
- Two glass lifts to 60m
- Then 108 steps to the top
- Combination ticket with embroidery/audio guide: £10
Tips
- Free organ recital Sundays 3pm at Anglican
- Catholic Cathedral has free Sunday Mass at 11am
- Both cathedrals have cafés but the Anglican refectory is better
- Combine with Hope Street walk + dinner at the Philharmonic Dining Rooms
- Disabled access: both cathedrals fully accessible
🎵 The Hollow Men: Liverpool poet Roger McGough wrote: "If you want a cathedral, we've got one to spare." It captures Liverpool's ironic civic pride about having two huge cathedrals.