Why go

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King is England’s largest Catholic cathedral, and one of the most striking buildings in the city: a circular, tent-like structure topped by a crown of stained glass at the top of Mount Pleasant. Inside, the congregation sits in the round under a great lantern of coloured light. Beneath it lies something just as remarkable, the brick crypt of a far bigger cathedral that was never built. Entry is free, and it is a short walk from Liverpool Cathedral along Hope Street.

What to see

  • The cathedral in the round. The main space, with the altar at its centre and light falling through the lantern above. The cathedral holds a collection of contemporary art, covered on its audio tour.
  • The Lutyens Crypt. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in the 1930s, the crypt is all that was built of his plan for a cathedral to rival St Peter’s in Rome. Its deep purple bricks and vaulted ceilings give a sense of the scale he intended. It is often called Liverpool’s third cathedral.
  • The Treasury. Inside the crypt: silver chalices, processional crosses and embroidered vestments used in major services. Photography is not permitted here.
  • The music. The audio tour includes recordings of the Cathedral Choir, and concerts are held through the year.

Plan your visit

The cathedral is open daily from 7.30am to 6pm, with last entry at 5.45pm. The Lutyens Crypt opens Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm, with last entry at 3.30pm. Access may be limited during special events, so check the closure notices on the website before you travel. The organ is tuned regularly, so visits on tuning days can be noisier than usual.

It is about 10 minutes’ walk from Lime Street station: head for the Adelphi Hotel and follow Mount Pleasant up the hill. From Liverpool ONE bus station take the 79, 86, 86A or 86C, and from Queen Square the 79 or 7. The underground car park costs £2 for an hour, £5 for up to three hours or £8 for the day, closes at 6pm and has a height limit of 7ft 6in.

Tickets and saving money

Entry to the cathedral is free; it costs around £4,000 a day to run, and donations are welcome. The Lutyens Crypt costs £5 per person or £12 for a family. Guided tours are free, with a suggested donation of £5 each. A set tour runs every Saturday at 11.30am with no need to book; on other days book by email or at the Welcome Desk, subject to availability. You can also take the audio tour at your own pace.

The café and gift shop are currently closed, with a new Welcome Centre planned, so bring a drink or eat beforehand.

Accessibility

Step-free access runs from the cathedral car park, with a lift to the main level; outside, a sloping path through the garden offers another step-free route. A lift in the Rotunda serves the crypt. There are accessible toilets in the Lower Porch and at crypt level, wheelchairs to borrow from the car park security office, and a hearing loop in the cathedral and the crypt chapel. Only assistance dogs are allowed inside.

Nearby

Hope Street links the city’s two cathedrals in about 10 minutes, passing the Philharmonic Hall and the Georgian Quarter. The Everyman Theatre is on the same street.