Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral — Attraction in Liverpool

Beautiful cathedral, a must see if you're in Liverpool. Free to enter the main cathedral, £5 charge to enter the crypt including museum which is well worth paying.

The cathedral has a very interesting history. Originally designed by Edwin Lutyens and His Grace Archbishop Downey in the 1930s to be a Romanesque behemoth of a building towering over Merseyside, surrounding counties and the Irish sea, it would've been the second largest church with the largest dome in the world.

The very expansive crypt was already mostly complete by the time plans fell through and was later used as a pedestal for the much smaller but still large modern Cathedral to sit on top of. The old crypt contains chapels, tombs, event rooms and a very tastefully done museum that covers the history of Catholicism in the local area, the history of Liverpool and the history of the building. Great examples of religious and liturgical artefacts also, including historic chalices, ciboria, monstrances, episcopal vestments etc, all very well labeled and explained.

The staff I met were very friendly and helpful. The crypt was mostly empty of visitors when I called in on a weekday afternoon so a really lovely lady called Helen gave me a great impromptu tour of the crypt and pointed out lots of details that would be easily missed.

The main cathedral upstairs is a fantastic example of 1960s Second Vatican Council era architecture (imho by far the most emblematic and impressive example anywhere in Britain or Ireland), not at all tacky or kitsch like some 20th century Catholic churches can be. The stained glass plays beautifully with daylight, there's a feeling of spaciousness throughout and the side chapels are beautiful. I'd imagine it's a lovely place for big diocesan liturgies and for Easter or Christmas...

The Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral is a dazzling icon of modern architecture—affectionately nicknamed “Paddy’s Wigwam,” but don’t let the nickname fool you. This place is absolutely stunning.

With its circular design and towering crown-like spire, the cathedral stands boldly against the city skyline, a symbol of innovation and inclusivity. Step inside, and you’re immediately wrapped in a kaleidoscope of colour and light. The stained-glass lantern ceiling is the star of the show—casting rich blues, reds, and golds that shift as the sun moves, bathing the interior in an ever-changing glow. It’s both peaceful and electric.

The design encourages reflection without formality. There’s space to wander, space to breathe, and space to be still. It’s modern, yet deeply spiritual—minimalist, yet full of feeling.

Outside, the open plaza is a social, sunlit space that invites visitors to sit, snap photos, or simply soak in the view of this architectural gem. It’s a perfect spot to pause and admire how seamlessly the cathedral blends bold design with a strong sense of purpose.

Whether you're into architecture, art, or serenity with a splash of colour—this cathedral will leave a lasting impression.

One negative, would be that we were not allowed to bring our small dog inside, even though it said on the...

This place of worship catches the eye from the outside let alone once you step inside. Traditional Churches, many of them awesome, but tend to be built to last, which of course many of them have. The are usually constructed from solid stone which, along with their age, gets discoloured by our relentless air pollution. That discolouration detracts from the otherwise splendour of such places, not with this Cathedral though. Looking more space age than any other Church that I have seen, baring Coventry, it's once you get inside that your eyeballs can't quite comprehend what you are seeing.

It merges modernity with religion and it does it magnificently, its circular with the altar in the middle and if you pick a none service day, like we did, take a few minutes to walk around the perimeter of the building. Then you will see that no matter where you sit on a service day you will get a decent view of the proceedings. I cannot comment on the sonics of the building, maybe the sound system compensates for the tallness of the roof above the altar. I sat down for a good 10 minutes and just looked around and I felt that if religion is losing it's way in the modern world, then bringing the buildings more upto date may be one way to draw back the diminished flock...