Liverpool Cathedrals

Liverpool is a city with multiple cultural heritages and while you’re planning your trip to this bustling city, you must also add the two iconic cathedrals it has to offer to your itinerary. This is because these cathedrals can act as the perfect spot to introspect and look back on your travels, while also enjoying a deeply spiritual experience. 

Liverpool has two main Cathedrals – the Liverpool Cathedral and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. Now, don’t think that just because you’ve visited one, you can do away with the other as both have completely different architecture, histories and overall vibes. Additionally, the journey to these cathedrals is also worth the effort as you’ll get to see picturesque landscapes on the way and marvel at the beauty of Great Britain in general.

Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King is an iconic building to say the least, as it does not look like most cathedrals – the exterior is quite modern and reflective of the era that it was built in, the 60s. The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King is the seat of the archbishop of Liverpool and its design underwent multiple changes, with a total of four different architects presenting designs at different periods. However, since nothing really came to fruition, the local authorities launched a competition to design the cathedral, and finally, Frederick Gibberd won the contract.

Highlights of the cathedral:

• The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King houses the crypt of Sir Edward Lutyens, the renowned architect. Tourists can visit the crypt to pay homage to the man. 
• The cathedral is made entirely with concrete, which is what contributes to it having such a distinct look. 
• The interiors are made with white marble that was sourced from Skopje, Macedonia, and this is offset by stained glass art in three colours, red, blue, and yellow to represent the Holy Trinity. 
• Music plays a huge role at this cathedral, and you must time your visit to coincide with a choir performance to make the most of your visit. 
• The cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Liverpool. 
• There is a gift shop in the cathedral’s premises and you can get adorable presents for your family or loved ones waiting for you at home.
• The cathedral is disabled-friendly. 
• There is a café located in the premises of the cathedral for visitors to enjoy a delicious supper or brunch. 

Location:

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King is located at Cathedral House, Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 5TQ.

Timings:

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King opens at 7:30 am and closes at 5:30 pm. However, do keep in mind that the timings can vary with the weather, which is why it makes sense to check the website or call before you visit. 

Additionally, it pays to note that Lutyen’s crypt is open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, with the last visit scheduled at 3:30 pm.

Tickets:

You can enter the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King without having to pay for a ticket. However, if you want to visit Sir Edward Lutyen’s crypt, then you must purchase a ticket for £ 3. Do keep in mind that family tickets are priced at £ 8. 

Nearby Attractions:

When planning a visit to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, plan your itinerary in a way that you can visit the following nearby attractions:

1. Victoria Gallery and Museum 
2. Liverpool Everyman
3. The Florist
4. Fly in the Loaf
5. Liverpool’s Craft Beer Experience tour
6. Junkyard Golf Club

The Liverpool Cathedral

The Liverpool Cathedral is the largest cathedral in England, and the fifth largest one in Europe. With a construction period that spanned between 1904 and 1978, the cathedral reflects Victorian aesthetics. Interestingly, like the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, the Liverpool Cathedral’s design and construction was also up for grabs as a result of a competition set up by authorities. When 22-year-old architect Giles Gilbert Scott won, many locals raised questions as the architect had never really designed anything in his life, apart from a pipe rack. 

Highlights of the cathedral:

• The Liverpool Cathedral stands at 189 meters, and is the tallest cathedral in the world.
• You can take a trip to the top of the cathedral in order to enjoy a beautiful 360-degree view of the city.
• The Liverpool Cathedral has two cafes within its premises for patrons to enjoy a warm meal at after a morning filled with prayer and light – The Mezzanine Café and the Welsford, which offer the delicious traditional Sunday roast dinner.
• The Liverpool Cathedral is home to the heaviest peal of bells, so make sure that you check out the same.
• The cathedral is also disabled-friendly, ensuring that people from all walks of life can access the cathedral.
• You can enjoy a guided tour of the cathedral and find out more about the city of the building.

Location: The Liverpool Cathedral is located at St James Mount, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 7AZ. 

Timings:

The Liverpool Cathedral opens daily at 8 am, and closes at 6 pm. The timings can sometimes vary based on the weather which is why you should check the website for updates. 

Tickets:

The Standard ticket is priced at £ 6 while the family ticket is priced at £ 16. Additionally, the concessions ticket is priced at £ 5. 

Nearby Attractions:

When you plan a trip to the Liverpool Cathedral, you should also make it a point to visit these nearby attractions:

• St. James Mount and Gardens
• Chinese Arch
• China Town
• Liverpool Biennial 
• The Bombed-Out Church
• Hot Water Comedy Club

These cathedrals are integral to the locals in the city and when you’re visiting Liverpool, you definitely need to visit these cathedrals in order to get a sense of the city’s energy and history.