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    Walker Art Gallery

    4.7 (25 reviews)
    InexpensiveArt Galleries, Museums

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    David J.

    Liverpool's Walker Art Gallery, housed in a distinguished neo-classical building in the heart of the city, is one of Europe's outstanding art collections. It's a must-see on any visit to the city. The origins of the collection go back to 1819, when the Liverpool Royal Institution acquired the collection of William Roscoe, to avoid it being broken up on his death. Over the succeeding years, a growing movement of art and cultural awarness in Liverpool led to a regular programme of art and exhibitions, hosted by various organisations and modelled on those established in London. But the impetus was given the real boost it needed when, in 1873, Andrew Barclay Walker offered to present an art gallery to Liverpool to mark his term as the city's Mayor. The imposing edifice of the Walker Art Gallery opened its doors in 1877. Over subsequent years, the collection has been expanded and enhanced, with a particular emphasis on acquiring both contemporary and traditional works. The main attractions are: - Italian and Netherland schools from 1350-1550; - European art from 1550-1900 including works by Rembrandt, Poussin, Degas, Millais, Cezanne, Rubens, Monet, Delaroche, Picasso, Degas and Tissot; - 18th and 19th century British art including Reynolds, Turner, Stubbs (an outstanding selection), Landseer, Gainsborough and Hogarth; - one of the world's foremost collections of Pre-Raphaelite works; - a wide collection of prints, drawings and watercolours; - 20th century works by artists such as Lucian Freud, Augustus John, David Hockney and Gilbert and George. Highlights include 'When did you last see your father?' by Yeames, Holbein's portrait of Henry VIII and 'Dante's Dream' by Rossetti. Personal favourites of mine are the dark and evocative 'Ruins of Holyrood Chapel', by Louis Daguerre (inventor of the photographic method) and, epitomising Victorian sentimental art, 'The Promise', by Henry Tuke. There's the usual cafe and shop, and an active programme of exhibitions, lectures and tours. The museum caters well for children, with a specialised gallery 'Big Art for Little Artists', aimed at those up to 8 years old, with all sorts of art-based activities for children and their parents to enjoy together. There's also a gallery trail focussing on art likely to interest children and young people. Baby changing facilities, pram storage and a children's menu in the cafe are also provided. The gallery is fully accessible to those using wheelchairs. Finally, the web-site has a huge selection of paintings available on-line, as well as information about current exhibitions.

    Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool
    Jeff H.

    The Walker is a well known art museum in Liverpool in the monumental St. George's municipal district. It is easily accessed from Liverpool Lime Street station. The art is spread over two floors but it is quite easy to find your way around. Because the Walker is free, many people pop in on their lunch break or to and from the train but of course you can stay much longer as well. It's best known for its British art but it doesn't mean you won't find a Rembrandt or a Monet here!

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    18 years ago

    Still a free place to visit, well worth a look at the different paintings and pieces of art.

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    Walker Art Gallery Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Walker Art Gallery

    . Several halls trace the history of Pre-Raphaelism, with some very well-known paintings by Rossetti, Watts, and Hunt

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    Tate Liverpool

    Tate Liverpool

    4.3(65 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    £

    I was so excited to see that Liverpool had a Tate branch because I'm very aware of the London…read morelocation. It was so convenient that most of the museums were directly across the street from our Hilton hotel. This location is perfect most of the tourist spots were dotted all along the dock area here! It was a rainy day too so we were so lucky to be so close. After London we were so weary of cabs even though the most of the cabs are those vintage large black ones where your luggage can go at your feet. Most of the museums have had a donation box near the entrance/exit areas. This is smart because I definitely gave more on some occasions when we were thrilled with the exhibits. I actually tend to give more at the end of a visit instead of upfront. Some places ask straight away and some have a collection box near the exits. I think people are more generous after enjoying the museum fully. There were many beautiful exhibits inside. Many works associated with a "color" theme throughout the museum. I was very surprised to find pieces by Paul Klee and Pablo Picasso inside. Actually I had never seen this piece by Pablo and I loved it! His work is so different with each decade his style changed and evolved. If you travel to Liverpool I would highly suggest staying at the Hilton, all the museums are just a few blocks ahead to the port. Loved this Tate!

    I was so excited to visit the Tate museum to see the Don McCullin exhibition that I had booked well…read morein advance. Don McCullin is a photographer that takes photos of war and famine and poverty, my type of photos of things that are real and hard hitting and it certainly didn't disappoint. The photos I saw were powerful and thought provoking and sometimes disturbing and I left in awe. The Tate museum and gallery in Liverpool is fantastic and well worth a visit put this on your itinerary.

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    Tate Liverpool
    Tate Liverpool
    Tate Liverpool

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    Fact

    Fact

    5.0(2 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    ££

    FACT is easily one of the best things Liverpool has to offer, if not THE best thing…read more FACT is a combination of cinema, art gallery, exhibition space, bar, cafe and shop. Yes, all of that. The cinema is absolutely top notch, it is the best cinema I have ever visited. They show a good mix of both major releases and independent films. You'll find big blockbusters rubbings shoulders with arthouse movies, or Japanese animation. They even show classics from time to time. Perfect. The art exhibitions change on a regular basis so it's hard to specifically review those. My favourite in recent memory is the "History of Music Video" piece they had in, where you could go through the evolution of the medium. I spent ages in here and wrote down a good few obscure artists I hadn't heard of so I could check them out later. Anyway, the exhibitions are always fantastic and imaginative. The bar is also much-loved. It's a favourite hang-out spot of mine, even if I'm not in the building for anything else. It doesn't boast a HUGE range of drinks but the atmosphere is always nice, relaxed and friendly. The cafe downstairs is equally as good, especially lately as it's been re-done and now offers a bigger selection. I'm especially fond of the different green teas. Anyway, FACT is a must. It's essential. It is the heart of Liverpool.

    FACT is fabulous - its only flaw being that it is in Liverpool and not Belfast! I discovered FACT…read morewhile visiting friends in Liverpool and it is without a doubt the best cinema I've ever been in. It shows a full range of film, both commercial and more obscure or 'arty' movies. One of its 4 cinema's has the best luxury sofa seating ever - it's so comfy. Plus there is a cafe/ bar and you can take your wine into the cinema screens to enjoy while you watch your movie. FACT = Foundation for Art and Creative Technology, so it's not just a cinema, it also has 3 art galleries showing various art exhibitions. FACT is an amazing arts centre - I want one in Belfast :-(

    Liverpool Biennial - Yayoi Kusama

    Liverpool Biennial

    5.0(3 reviews)
    1.0 mi

    This is the 5th Liverpool Biennial, celebrating modern art on an International scale…read more Throughout the streets of Liverpool, artists' instillations can be seen in a myriad of situations ranging from abandoned factories, city parks, bombed out churches, down to the Tate Museum All media varieties from film, to paintings, to models, to light sculptures, etc... it's all fair game & it's all a spectacular sight to behold! Just some of the exhibits we enjoyed in the 2008 MADE UP included: * An enormous Spider's Web, made of lights, connecting a block of buildings in the downtown area * Boxed-in room that is lined w/ mirrors & lighted balls - the effect when the door is closed is just like Carl Sagan - you're standing among billions & billions of stars * Yoko Ono designed the instillation in a beautiful bombed out church - whose perfect outer structure was a facade in the literal sense due to its vast destruction on the inside * City Park where Evergreen Trees rotated tilty-turny * The BEST, most astonishing instillation we saw was this "normal" building in the Downtown area that had a huge hunk cut out & placed on hydraulics - the cut-out piece then *rotated* w/in the building - AMAZING Exhibits will have you walking around Liverpool so there's an added bonus of seeing the beautiful city itself, up close & personal. Nicely laid out maps from the Welcome Center will easily guide you through all the areas of interest & they also commission nighttime activities throughout the 2-month run..... so there's a lot to see & a lot to do! Every 2 years from September through November - most exhibits are FREE Mark your calendars for 2010!! Don't miss it!!

    The Liverpool Biennal happens, well, every two years unsurprisingly and over the last decade has…read morebeen a strong element of Liverpool's reinvention as a place of artistic energy and creativity. It's a festival which causes some division amongst Liverpool's artistic community as it is a showcase of international art with commisions going to artists from all over the world and works being shown from internationally renowned names with, some see, not enough attention given to the city's own artists - but then it would really only be a pointless exercise for Liverpool and not the internationally recognised event that it is! The 2 month long event takes place in all the cities galleries but also spills into many other spaces such as outdoor public places and cafes and bars which means that the city does come alive with unusual sights and sounds.

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    Liverpool Biennial - Ai Weiwei

    Ai Weiwei

    Liverpool Biennial - Diller Scofidio + Renfro's Arbores Laetae

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    Diller Scofidio + Renfro's Arbores Laetae

    Walker Art Gallery - galleries - Updated August 2026

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