Port Sunlight Museum
Port Sunlight Museum
4.5
Speciality MuseumsArchitectural Buildings
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Our Museum tells the story of William Lever and his vision in creating this village for workers at his Sunlight Soap factory. Explore how the village developed over the years, from the working and living conditions to the charming architecture. The Museum is packed with tales and nostalgia, from displays of vintage soap packaging to Ringo Starr’s first performance with the Beatles in the village in 1962. Through film shows, interactives, models and an array of intriguing artefacts you can discover the tale of this inspirational village. As part of your Port Sunlight Experience ticket, visitors get a chance to step inside a worker’s cottage and experience everyday life in Port Sunlight in Edwardian times. Plus entrance into SoapWorks our interactive family experience. Designed to encourage more children to engage with the STEM subjects (science technology engineering and mathematics), come and have fun learning about the science of soap and its life-saving properties!
Duration: 2-3 hours
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  • Kathryn B
    33 contributions
    A unique day out
    We visited yesterday and had a great time; spending longer than we thought we would in Port Sunlight. The place is certainly unique and the different architecture of each house is amazing to see. The museum is small but perfectly formed with lots of info on the history of the factory and village. You can visit a house that’s set up as it would have been in the early 20th century and drop into the soap works to learn about the science bit. I really felt that the volunteers / staff made our visit a 5 star day out. From the moment we arrived, the lady in the museum was extremely helpful and this continued throughout with everyone appearing so passionate about their work. I’ll finish by saying that Dave was so informative during our walking tour. He was brought up in the village and is passionate about keeping its heritage alive. If you’re going to visit, buy the museum and walking tour ticket; you won’t be disappointed
    Hi Kathryn, thank you for taking time to not only visit us, but also to write such a lovely review. It's a delight to hear that the village was a fascinating to you as it is to us each day. I will pass your joyous compliments onto the team and ensure that they see them. Thank you for acknowledging how they enhance the visitors experience of Port Sunlight.
    Written 20 February 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 17 February 2023
  • Judith H
    Leicester, United Kingdom177 contributions
    Social history
    Interesting glimpse into social history. One ticket for the three part experience. Small but very informative museum about the development of Port Sunlight village and what is now Unilever. Make sure you watch the film as well as read in the information. Visit the worker's cottage next door. A few minutes walk away is the Soapworks showing how soap is made. It's aimed at children but worth a visit for adults too.
    Hello, many thanks for visiting us at Port Sunlight. Really appreciate you taking time to write a review too. Gives people an insight into what to expect when they get here. The film is a delight, about local people played by local people. Thank you!
    Written 24 April 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 21 April 2023
  • 228DawnM
    Blackpool, United Kingdom97 contributions
    Hidden gem..don't tell everyone though as I just want this just for me! (I love the tranquility here!)
    Best day out ever.... my husband and myself just spent the whole day at Port Sunlight and had such a great time. It's exactly everything I want from a day out. We first went to Lady Lever Gallery. Wonderful bright gallery, excellent cafe and clean facilities. We'd booked for the walking tour at 11.30am. The tour guide was so knowledgeable and you are given a hearing earphone so you can hear everything she says. She knew all about the history and her passion for the village showed. Great value for one and half hour tour. There's so much history and human interest in the tour. Its a truly wonderful village and the story behind it is fascinating. We then went to the soap works as this was included in the price and yet again another enthusiastic gentleman talked us through the process of making soap. Really interesting interactive museum, I think its aimed at children but we loved it! We then visited the museum and this is so good. It was good to read and see some of the plans for the houses and the replica model of the village. Really helpful friendly staff in the museum too. It really was a fantastic day, thank you so much!
    Hello, may thanks for visiting Port Sunlight, and your kind comments are a delight to read. I shall pass on your praise to the team. Thrilled you went to SoapWorks, and yes it does have a element of being child friendly and a STEM educational value yet everyone can learn something there, interactive is the key - hope you smelt the fragranced socks! Thanks again for taking time to write this wonderful review. We hope you may return again in the not too distant future.
    Written 20 June 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 18 June 2023
  • GemZ77
    Manchester, United Kingdom487 contributions
    Really Interesting
    Booked online and purchased a combination ticket which gave access to the museum, cottage, soapworks and a walking tour. The museum is only small but very interesting, especially the 20 minute video. The walking tour made it for us; Barry was our guide and he was very informative and well prepared. Our 90 minute walking tour actually ended up 2 1/2 hours! Thank you Barry, we had a great afternoon in Port Sunlight.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 16 September 2023
  • Jenifer T
    60 contributions
    Small but well thought out
    Small museum of the history of the Lever family and their soap making business and the development of the village for the benefit of their workers. Some unexpected snippets - Ringo Starr's first official appearance as the Beatles drummer was at a concert in Port Sunlight in 1962. The band was paid the princely sum of £30 !
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 21 September 2023
  • Johnjoan1
    34 contributions
    Complement & Complaint
    We visited lovely Port Sunlight yesterday, what a beautiful place to visit. Steeped in history, and so picturesque. Barry our tour guide was great too, informative and humorous, making our tour so enjoyable. However, sadly our visit was slightly tarnished by the young man on the desk speaking somewhat disrespectfully to the other lady member of staff when we first arrived, this was rather sad I felt, as it went against all of principles of the great and good man William Lever and his family, to create a pleasant, safe working environment for all of his employees. Other than this incident however, we really enjoyed our visit. Many thanks.
    Dear Johnjoan1, Thank you for taking the time to inform us of this. We are currently looking into this further as this is not what our values stand for. We will be in touch in due course. Many thanks, Jean Milton Director of Heritage
    Written 28 September 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 24 September 2023
  • Kenneth Edward L
    Birkenhead, United Kingdom65 contributions
    This Museum is dedicated to a wonderful man Lord Leverhume
    This Museum is your starting point to this wonderful village, with tours well worth taking. The village hosts a Art Gallery, Garden Centre, great places to have your lunch. The Museum has a small gift shop well stock with local gifts, and a cafe it is all there for your pleasure. Best wishes Kel
    Visited February 2020
    Travelled solo
    Written 5 October 2023
  • nickw93
    Hindhead, United Kingdom14 contributions
    Guided tour of Port Sunlight
    Very interesting museum and guided tour. Our guide (Terry) was knowledgeable and had a very easy manner explaining the history and plans at Port Sunlight on the walking tour of about 90 mins. The exhibition was fairly small but clearly explained and supported by a nice short film. Excellent day trip.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 18 October 2023
  • Sharon T
    2 contributions
    Wonderful place in a gorgeous village.
    Excellent tour, wonderful gift shop with the original Sunlight Soaps. Well worth a visit for the village itself. Museum is kind of small but still interesting to learn about the village.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 29 October 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
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PandL15
Chester, UK39 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Very interesting and well presented. Personally of interest and relevant. Friendly service. Including main museum and Soap Works
Written 5 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sharon T
2 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Excellent tour, wonderful gift shop with the original Sunlight Soaps. Well worth a visit for the village itself. Museum is kind of small but still interesting to learn about the village.
Written 30 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BridgBritabroad
Brit abroad26 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
Pleasant little museum.
Staff friendly and helpful.
Not sure about the Soap Works. A little underwhelming.
Written 22 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

nickw93
Hindhead, UK14 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Very interesting museum and guided tour. Our guide (Terry) was knowledgeable and had a very easy manner explaining the history and plans at Port Sunlight on the walking tour of about 90 mins. The exhibition was fairly small but clearly explained and supported by a nice short film. Excellent day trip.
Written 19 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kenneth Edward L
Birkenhead, UK65 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
This Museum is your starting point to this wonderful village, with tours well worth taking. The village hosts a Art Gallery, Garden Centre, great places to have your lunch. The Museum has a small gift shop well stock with local gifts, and a cafe it is all there for your pleasure.
Best wishes
Kel


Written 5 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Johnjoan1
34 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
We visited lovely Port Sunlight yesterday, what a beautiful place to visit. Steeped in history, and so picturesque. Barry our tour guide was great too, informative and humorous, making our tour so enjoyable. However, sadly our visit was slightly tarnished by the young man on the desk speaking somewhat disrespectfully to the other lady member of staff when we first arrived, this was rather sad I felt, as it went against all of principles of the great and good man William Lever and his family, to create a pleasant, safe working environment for all of his employees.
Other than this incident however, we really enjoyed our visit. Many thanks.
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Johnjoan1, Thank you for taking the time to inform us of this. We are currently looking into this further as this is not what our values stand for. We will be in touch in due course. Many thanks, Jean Milton Director of Heritage
Written 28 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jenifer T
60 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Small museum of the history of the Lever family and their soap making business and the development of the village for the benefit of their workers. Some unexpected snippets - Ringo Starr's first official appearance as the Beatles drummer was at a concert in Port Sunlight in 1962. The band was paid the princely sum of £30 !
Written 21 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chris W
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Family
As part of a two week UK holiday with my Sister and Brother In Law we planned a weekend trip to both Liverpool and The Port Sunlight Museum. The Liverpool part went perfectly. Today was meant to be The Port Sunlight visit. Having checked the Museum was open on Sundays we made our way over to The Village. We found The Museum shut with no explanation as to why. While we were there a nice Lady in a car pulled up and was very apologetic but told us that The Museum was unfortunately closed today.
We accepted this , we weren’t happy of course but such is life. As we drank and debated over a nice cup of Coffee to decide our next move a Coach from North Wales pulled up and the driver made attempts to gain entry to The Museum without success however after he spoke to the Lady who had told us we couldn’t visit the Coach party were let in much to our and others disgust.
Very disappointed with this apparent one rule for one , another for others. We left and headed home. We won’t be going back , my relations are from Pennsylvania USA and I’m from Suffolk. Maybe we should move to North Wales.
Written 17 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused over the weekend of 16-17th September due to the museum venues closure. This was due to a number of staffing issues that unfortunately arose at the same time. Whilst the museum was closed to the general public we did also have a pre-paid pre-booked visit which we were able to honour for a limited amount of time. In recognition of your inconvenience, we would be grateful if you could contact us so we can send you a token of our apology. Thank you for getting in touch with us. Best wishes, Jean Milton Director of Heritage
Written 28 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

GemZ77
Manchester, UK487 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Booked online and purchased a combination ticket which gave access to the museum, cottage, soapworks and a walking tour. The museum is only small but very interesting, especially the 20 minute video. The walking tour made it for us; Barry was our guide and he was very informative and well prepared. Our 90 minute walking tour actually ended up 2 1/2 hours! Thank you Barry, we had a great afternoon in Port Sunlight.
Written 16 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PAT
Luton, UK14 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
A fantastic place to visit. Although we didn't do the guided tour, we bought a map and did it ourselves. We were really impressed the styles of the houses, the church, the hotel and the amount of parkland and greenery. Staff were very friendly and welcoming. Thoroughly recommend a visit.
Written 10 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting us at Port Sunlight. Wonderful to hear that you did you own tour of the village, and only £1.50 from our shop. I shall pass your compliments on to the team as well. Appreciate the time taken to write this review, it's great to hear that you enjoyed your time with us. Lets hope you visit again.
Written 14 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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PORT SUNLIGHT MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Port Sunlight Museum

Port Sunlight Museum is open:
  • Wed - Sun 10:00 - 16:30


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