Two cathedrals, two traditions
Liverpool Cathedral is the Anglican cathedral. The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King is the Catholic one. People mix them up, and so do search results, so check the name before you set off. The City Explorer bus keeps them apart in its stop names: the Anglican cathedral is at Upper Duke Street and the Catholic cathedral is at Mount Pleasant.
Both are free to enter for a normal visit. You pay only for extras: the tower at Liverpool Cathedral, the crypt at the Metropolitan Cathedral, parking, and some events.
The two cathedrals side by side
Prices and hours for autumn 2026.
| Liverpool Cathedral | Metropolitan Cathedral | |
|---|---|---|
| Tradition | Anglican | Roman Catholic |
| Basic visit | Free, no booking | Free |
| Opening hours | 10:00 to 18:00 daily | 07:30 to 18:00 daily |
| Last entry | 15 minutes before closing | 17:45 |
| Extra ticket | Tower: £8 standard, £6.50 concession | Lutyens' Crypt: £5, family £12 |
| Bus stop (City Explorer) | Upper Duke Street | Mount Pleasant |
| Parking | – | 1 hour £2, 3 hours £5, day £8 |
Liverpool Cathedral
The building is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, with last entry 15 minutes before closing. On Sundays the cathedral holds a service from 10:00 to 12:00, so plan a full visit from 12:00. Some events charge admission or ask for a donation, and on some event days entry is limited to ticket holders for part of the day.
The tower is the paid part. A standard ticket costs £8 and a concession £6.50. A family ticket for two adults and up to three children costs £22.50. Summer reductions that ran until 1 September do not apply now. There are two lifts and 108 steps, so the viewing platform is not step-free.
- Tower entry: Monday to Saturday the first entry is 10:00 and on Sunday 12:00. Last entry is 16:30, and the tower closes 30 minutes later.
- The tower closes for bell ringing on some days. The next closure announced is 1 November 2026.
- The tower ticket is sold by the cathedral. Bus and walking tickets do not include it.
Tours that pass the cathedrals
City walks, bus tours and other ways to see Liverpool's cathedral area, with live prices and availability. None of these includes tower entry.
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King
The Metropolitan Cathedral is open daily from 07:30 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:45. A normal visit is free. Its lantern tower is shaped like a crown and is easy to recognise from a distance.
Lutyens' Crypt has its own ticket at £5 per person or £12 for a family. The cathedral does not give the age limits for the family ticket. The crypt is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00, with last entry at 15:30, and it has step-free access by way of the car park and a lift.
The café and the shop were closed at the time of writing. Photography is not allowed during services, concerts or rehearsals, or in the crypt treasury. For video, treat cameras and drones as not welcome unless a steward tells you otherwise.
Parking at the Metropolitan Cathedral
The cathedral has its own car park. Prices from 08:00 to 18:00 are:
1 hour
£2.
Up to 3 hours
£5.
All day
£8 for the day between 08:00 and 18:00. No overnight parking. Height limit 7 ft 6 in (about 2.3 m).
An evening rate applies only to cathedral events. Parking elsewhere in the city centre is not free on the street between 07:00 and 23:00, so watch the signs. Arriving by train to Lime Street or by bus is usually simpler.
How to plan a visit
Both cathedrals fit into a half day. Start with the one that suits your timetable: the Metropolitan Cathedral opens early, while Liverpool Cathedral is best after midday on a Sunday. If you want the tower, buy the ticket from the cathedral and check for bell-ringing closures first.
The cathedrals are landmarks of the Georgian Quarter. If you plan to stay nearby, our where to stay guide compares the main areas. The Liverpool tours page lists bus routes, including the stops at both cathedrals. In October 2026 the first bus leaves at 10:00 and the last at 15:00, and tours stop from 30 November 2026 to 31 January 2027.
Liverpool's cathedrals: frequently asked questions
Which is the Anglican and which is the Catholic cathedral?
Liverpool Cathedral is Anglican. The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King is Roman Catholic.
Is it free to go inside?
Yes, a normal visit to both is free. You pay for the tower at Liverpool Cathedral, the crypt at the Metropolitan Cathedral, parking and some events.
How much is the tower?
A standard ticket is £8 and a concession £6.50. A family of two adults and up to three children pays £22.50. There are 108 steps, so the viewing platform is not step-free.
When is Liverpool Cathedral open?
Daily from 10:00 to 18:00, with last entry 15 minutes before closing. On Sundays a service runs from 10:00 to 12:00, so visit after 12:00.
When is the Metropolitan Cathedral open?
Daily from 07:30 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:45. The crypt opens Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 16:00.
Can I take photos?
Not during services, concerts or rehearsals at the Metropolitan Cathedral, and not in the crypt treasury. Ask a steward before filming.