Liver Building - 360 Tour

The Liver Building is one of the most famous landmarks in Liverpool. Located at the historic waterfront at the Pier Head alongside the River Mersey, it forms part of the city’s iconic skyline and represent Liverpool’s rich maritime history. The building should be called “Royal Liver Building” though there has never been a ‘royal’ seal of approval. It stands alongside the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building: these three historic structures are known as the “Three Graces.”

Royal Liver Building

The Royal Liver Building, completed in 1911, was designed by architects Walter Aubrey Thomas and Arnold Thornley. It was built as the headquarters for the Royal Liver Friendly Society and quickly became one of the most recognisable buildings in Britain. At the time of its completion, it was one of the tallest buildings in Europe and among the earliest large buildings in the world to be constructed using reinforced concrete.

Mother and Son Statue from Liverpool Parish Church

One of the most famous features of the Royal Liver Building are the statues of mythical birds – called the “Liver Birds” that adorn the top of the twin towers. According to local legend, the birds watch over the city and the sea. One bird faces the River Mersey to protect sailors and seafarers, while the other faces inland to watch over the people of Liverpool.

Liver Bird

In the late 1980s I was part of a management team looking for new accommodation for the local BT planning department. The Royal Liver Assurance organisation had failed and was looking to rent out office space. I leased the 5^th floor as it was the cheapest available in Liverpool. As part of their ‘sales pitch’ we were given a tour of the site, from basement to 15^th floor. Coincidentally on looking down on the Mersey, a reproduction of Drake’s Golden Hind was sailing into the river.

The Golden Hind

The current owners now host a tour around the building - Liverpool Royal Liver Building 360 Tour - which you have to book, and costs about £19. My son-in-law treated us to tickets; unfortunately on a cold, grey misty Sunday in March – very much like the day I was shown around in the 1980s.

The Royal Iris in the Mersey River

The tour starts in the basement with various images and videos of the site’s history, including a reference to the famous ‘Batman’ filming there.

Start of tour with reference to recent Batman Movie filming!

Although very much a prominent site, easily seen from the air, the building remained unscathed in the Second World War, despite its proximity to the docks the Germans were anxious to close down by heavy bombing.

Fairy Swordfish flies high over the Royal Liver Building

The Royal Liver Building also features large clock faces on both towers. These clocks are two feet larger than those on London’s famous Big Ben and are a distinctive feature of Liverpool’s skyline. For decades, the clocks have served as a timekeeper for the busy docks and the surrounding city.

Inside the Clock Room

Clock Mechanism

Despite their size the mechanisms to drive the clocks are surprisingly small – each is about 2feet cubed, and connected/synchronised electronically. In the clock room, as part of the tour, they show an interesting video, projected on to the octagonal walls, capturing the ‘essence’ of the site and its history.

Whilst the walk up the building can be a little arduous – the lift is taken from the basement to the 10^th floor; from there you ascend about 125 steps up a spiral staircase to get to the 15^th floor. The views from there can be magnificent – if the lighting is right! Unfortunately not on our visit.

Atlantic Hotel and Our Lady and St Nicholas Church

Port of Liverpool Domes and Albert Dock from the Royal Liver Building

Although you are right underneath the cupola the Western Liver Bird sits on, you cannot really see it; though you can see the back of the Eastern one – not very exciting. The best views of the statues are from outside.

Today, the Three Graces are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage waterfront area but the wider site’s status has been removed in recent years due to Liverpool Council including the nearby Northern dilapidated areas in their registration – then re-developed them!

Wolf Moon over the Royal Liver Building

From Wirral we are lucky to have great views of the Liverpool waterfront, especially at night. But I would wholeheartedly recommend the Liverpool Royal Liver Building 360 Tour – but suggest an early (from 10:00 am) or later (16:30) time in either Spring or Autumn to try to get the best lighting.

Light Show