Royal Liver Building 360 Tower Tour Liverpool

The Royal Liver Building at Pier Head

The Royal Liver Building was completed in 1911 for the Royal Liver Friendly Society and is one of the most recognisable buildings in Britain. It stands about 98 metres tall on the waterfront at Pier Head, beside the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building, together forming the Three Graces. It was one of the first tall buildings in Europe built with reinforced concrete.

Two bronze Liver Birds, mythical cormorant-like birds that symbolise the city, perch on top of the two towers, and they are among Liverpool's best-known symbols. A Royal Liver Building tour is the only way to go inside the clocktower, and it offers a rare chance to see the city from the top of the waterfront.

The visitor centre and the Great George clocks

The tour begins in the visitor centre, reached through a gate on Water Street and down a flight of steps. Here you see unique items from the building's construction and learn about the Royal Liver Friendly Society and the creation of the Liver Birds. Interactive screens bring the clock face to life.

Your guide then explains the four Great George clocks, among the largest electrically driven clock faces in Britain, each with a dial about 7.6 metres across. Hearing the facts about the mechanism and the building's history makes the views more meaningful. Allow around 90 minutes for the tour, and arrive on time, because you may not be admitted once the group has left the visitor centre.

The 270-degree show and the viewing platforms

From the visitor centre a lift takes you to the first viewing platform on the roof of the 10th floor, with views over the River Mersey towards the Welsh mountains on clear days. Then you climb stairs to the 14th floor for a 270-degree audio-visual show in the room behind the clock faces.

The nine-minute show uses lights, sound and effects such as wind to tell the story of the city's last century, and the architecture of the room becomes part of the display. The final climb takes you to the 15th floor and a viewing area near the Liver Birds, with 360-degree views. It is the best answer to the question of where to see Liverpool from above.

Is the Royal Liver Building tour right for you?

There are about 124 steps to climb above the 10th floor, and there is no partial tour, so you need to complete the whole route. The tour is not suitable for visitors with mobility difficulties, wheelchair users, guests with vertigo or epilepsy and children under 5, and large bags, food and umbrellas are not allowed.

Parts of the tour take place outdoors, so it depends on the weather, and clear days give the best views. Wear comfortable shoes and check the tour times in the booking panel. If you are wondering whether the tour is worth it, the mix of history, a spectacular show and the panorama makes it one of the best experiences in Liverpool.