Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre
Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre
Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre
4.5
About
A remarkable attraction in an unremarkable area of the city. Here is an extraordinary collection of tunnels and chambers commissioned by 19th century Victorian industrialist Joseph Williamson. His motivations for the work are still a mystery, but guided tours among what's thought to be just a small part of a much wider network offer plenty of insights.
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< 1 hour
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Neighbourhood: Central Liverpool
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4.5
411 reviews
Excellent
210
Very good
136
Average
43
Poor
14
Terrible
8
Janice R
County Durham, UK303 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
This was a very informative and interesting tour conducted by Pat, one of the volunteer guides. The enthusiasm shown for the tunnels is fantastic and if you have not heard of them but get the opportunity to visit, please do so. They receive no government or lottery funding and are relying on donations to keep excavating and uncovering more of the labyrinth of underground tunnels dating back to the early 1800’s. You get an insight into the philanthropic life of Joseph Williamson and what an entrepreneur he was way back then. The tour lasts around 45 minutes but they hope this will get bigger and better, the more they uncover. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
Written 17 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.
Swedishtomcat
Diss, UK3,479 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Although you don’t go too far into this labyrinth of tunnels (they’re still being excavated) you do get an insight into this Victorian underworld. No one knows for certain the reason for them but you’ll get to understand them more during the superb tour.
Written 27 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.
Lynn K
Faversham, UK47 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
Loved this tour . Lots of interesting facts and mystery on this tunnel . Lovely coffee shop friendly staff .
Written 27 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.
Lynnty8
Cambridge, UK21 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
A fascinating tour of an unknown gem of Liverpool! Knowledgeable guide who knew his stuff! One of our group found the tunnels too difficult to cope with as the walkway is a little exposed and he suffers from vertigo. He happily spent time in the small museum area while the rest of the group completed the tour.
We all felt that this attraction should be better publicised so that funds raised could be used to further explore the tunnel area.
We all felt that this attraction should be better publicised so that funds raised could be used to further explore the tunnel area.
Written 14 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.
Amylikesfood1988
Greater London, UK6 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Great tour guide - knew his stuff and made it interesting for everyone. Learnt so much - a fascinating place and to think no one knew it was down there!
Written 13 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.
Kathryn S
20 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
Amazing tour and only a fiver, so much history. Loved it. Friendly and knowledgeable - brilliant hour spent here. Would love to return with a spade and help the project
Written 28 May 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.
carolinehanson2018
3 contributions
Sep 2022 • Family
Fabulous. So many unsolved puzzles. We all loved this tour and the enthusiasm of the guides drew us in to the mysterious character of the philanthropic eccentricJoseph Williamson. If you enjoy History, building and questioning, this is a great tour.
Written 19 September 2022
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.
Cupcake-Nikki
Liverpool, UK56 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
This was an enjoyable and very informative tour. The guide was excellent and very knowledgeable.
Well worth a visit.
Many thanks.
Well worth a visit.
Many thanks.
Written 20 August 2022
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.
MerseysideTinkerbell
Merseyside, UK4,997 contributions
Apr 2022
We had not heard of the williamson tunnels and knew nothing about them. It was on an episode of Doctor Who that they said about the Williamson Tunnels and of course on that it was to do with portals to other worlds etc but we googled about them and found you could actually visit the heritage centre and see some part of the tunnels. So we booked to come on a tour and found it interesting that basically they were done a lot to create work for the poor in Liverpool so they could feel like they had worked for some money rather than just been given a hand out. He was a wealthy business man in Liverpool.
Written 30 July 2022
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.
923Dan
Swindon, UK3,067 contributions
May 2022
Whilst in Liverpool, visited the Williamson’s Tunnels, after seeing a recent Dr Who episode.
Very interesting man-made brick-lined tunnels with interesting history - Though much smaller than you imagine them to be, given the press and media hype.
Turned up at just the right time and got straight onto a tour for only £7 (i think), given by a very friendly and knowledgeable lady.
Well worth a visit if you are passing - certainly interesting.
Very interesting man-made brick-lined tunnels with interesting history - Though much smaller than you imagine them to be, given the press and media hype.
Turned up at just the right time and got straight onto a tour for only £7 (i think), given by a very friendly and knowledgeable lady.
Well worth a visit if you are passing - certainly interesting.
Written 18 June 2022
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.
CaveatEmptor60
138 contributions
I understand there is a small parking area. If that is full is there anywhere else nearby?
Margaret M
Preston, UK42 contributions
Sorry no idea ,we went by the 79 bus which stops almost outside. However it is in a non commercial area, in a housing area so would probably not be a problem
Keith H
3 contributions
Cost and length of tour.
Tunnel_Boss
Liverpool
£4.50 for adults, £4 for concessions, £3 for childre, Under 5's - free. The guided tour through part of Williamson's labyrinth takes about 45 minutes.
Saramoney
NorfolkEngland4 contributions
My husband is claustrophobic how would he find the tunnels
Tunnel_Boss
Liverpool
Our usual advice is to give it a go. If there is a problem, visitors can leave immediately.
Are there lifts? Is it suitable for elderly visitor??
Tunnel_Boss
Liverpool
The Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre does not have lifts. There are some stairs but as a general rule we find that visitors who can manage to get up and down stairs in an ordinary house can manage the stairs at the tunnels. There are handrails throughout and the tour is taken at a fairly slow pace. Hope this helps.
david s
Crewe, UK74 contributions
Can anybody tell me if there is parking at the center and if so what is the charge?
Ron P
Greenfield, UK1,538 contributions
Hi, There is limited parking space beside the entrance to the Williamson Tunnels. This is an old stable yard with room for maybe 8 to 10 cars. There is no parking charge.
Hope this helps.
Regards. Ron P.
Is it possible to visit with a double pram
MWHF
Wigan, UK13 contributions
No. Too narrow. Also not safe.
98elaine
Scarisbrick, UK1 contribution
Is the tour available daily and what is the charge please
Tunnel_Boss
Liverpool
The Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre is open every day except Monday during the Summer (April to September inclusive). The Centre is also open on Bank Holidays and every day during Liverpool schools half-term.
Tours run every 20 minutes between 10.20am and 4.00pm.
Admission Prices
Adults £4.50
Concessions £4.00
Children £3.00
Family Ticket £14.00
(Two adults and up to three children)
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Claim your listingWILLIAMSON TUNNELS HERITAGE CENTRE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre
- Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre is open:
- Fri - Sun 10:30 - 15:30
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