Liverpool Cathedral

Liverpool Cathedral, the Anglican Cathedral Church of Christ in Liverpool, stands on St James Mount in the city's Georgian Quarter in England. Designed by Giles Gilbert Scott when he was only twenty-two, it was built over much of the twentieth century and consecrated in 1924, with the building completed in 1978. It is the largest cathedral in Britain and among the largest in the world, a monumental Gothic Revival structure in red sandstone. Inside, the scale is the main impression. The nave, with its soaring arches, is vast, and the central space beneath the tower is lit by tall windows. Visitors notice the Lady Chapel, the Welch Regiment and other memorials, a large organ with thousands of pipes, and artworks including the large neon piece by Tracey Emin and a monumental sculpture by Elisabeth Frink. A cafe and shop are inside. The tower can be climbed by lift and stairs for a panorama over the city centre, the Mersey and, in clear weather, North Wales; a timed ticket is normally required and prices are modest. A typical visit takes one to two hours, longer with the tower. Weekday mornings are the quietest. Services, concerts and special events can limit access to parts of the nave, so check the schedule before travelling. Photography without flash is generally permitted in the main spaces. The cathedral is about a fifteen-minute walk from Lime Street station or a short bus ride along Hope Street, and it is linked by that street to the Metropolitan Cathedral. The nearby Georgian terraces around Rodney Street and Canning Street are worth a walk, and St James Gardens, a former cemetery beside the cathedral, provides a peaceful green space.