A new guided tour of the Grade II listed Cunard Building in Liverpool is offering access to restricted areas including its basement and historic Arrivals Lounge. The experience explores its maritime heritage and architectural design.
The Cunard Building, one of Liverpool's three famous architectural landmarks, is inviting visitors inside for an exclusive series of heritage tours throughout the summer months. First put into use in 1916, the building served as the headquarters for the renowned Cunard cruise line until the 1960s, playing a significant role in the city's long-standing connection to transatlantic travel. During these guided tours, visitors are granted access to areas of the building that are typically closed to the public, including the historic arrivals hall, where thousands of passengers once began their journeys to the new world.
The tour, which lasts approximately one hour, provides insight into how the site operated during the peak of ocean liner travel, including access to basement spaces. Alan Smith, head of heritage for the Liverpool City Council, emphasizes that the tours offer more than just a look at architecture; they provide a connection to the human stories behind the location. Smith noted that visitors can explore areas such as the storage vaults where the company’s gold and jewelry were once secured, as well as the racking areas still marked by class designation.
“It’s just great to feel you’re part of it, and you can feel the warm history still in the building,” Smith said. The tours also delve into the building’s design and the experiences of the various people connected to the site, from workers and passengers to those who departed Liverpool in hopes of starting a new life in the United States. Proceeds from the tour program are slated for reinvestment into other local heritage projects, including the repair and restoration of various historical sites across the city, such as the Kittiwake and Huskisson memorials and the organ at St. George’s Hall.
The initiative is part of a broader effort by the city to increase awareness of Liverpool’s extensive heritage, with thousands of potential points of interest identified throughout the city.
