Historic Cunard Building Opens Doors for Rare Behind-the-Scenes Heritage Tours
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
The Grade II-listed structure, completed in 1916, originally served as the global headquarters of the Cunard shipping line before the company relocated to Southampton in the 1960s. It is now home to Liverpool City Council.
As part of a new heritage programme running from June to August, the council’s heritage team will host guided tours of the building on selected dates.
The hour-long experience will take visitors through areas of the landmark that are usually closed to the public, including parts of the basement and former operational spaces.
The Cunard Building is one of Liverpool’s renowned “Three Graces,” alongside the Royal Liver Building and the Port of Liverpool Building, all of which define the city’s historic waterfront skyline.
A highlight of the tour includes a new 2026 projection featuring Cunard founder Samuel Cunard, explaining why Liverpool was chosen as the base for transatlantic passenger services in the 19th century.
Tours begin in the building’s former ground-floor arrivals hall, once used by international passengers arriving in Liverpool, and still rich with original architectural detail.
Visitors will also descend into the basement areas, where valuables were once stored and where steerage passengers would wait before embarking on voyages across the Atlantic. The experience extends to a sub-basement space, later used as an air raid shelter during the Second World War.
On selected weekend dates, access will also be granted to the building’s upper boardrooms, showcasing some of its most ornate interiors.
Alan Smith, Liverpool’s head of heritage, preservation and development, described the building as “the ultimate physical monument reflecting the golden age of travel,” highlighting its role as Cunard’s global headquarters from 1916 to 1967.
He added that the design of the building reflected Cunard’s status as a dominant force in transatlantic shipping during that era.
The tours offer a rare opportunity for the public to explore one of Liverpool’s most significant architectural and maritime heritage sites.
