Walker Art Gallery

Polly Checkland Harding
Image courtesy of Visit Britain

Though relatively small in size, the Walker Art Gallery houses one of the most significant collections of paintings in the UK, as well as sculpture and decorative art dating from the 13th century to the present day. The origins of the gallery’s holdings can be traced back to Liverpool Royal Institution’s acquisition of 37 works from the collection of William Roscoe, a prominent local figure who was forced to sell his collection in 1819 when his banking business failed.

Today, the Walker Art Gallery is home to masterpieces by Rembrandt, Turner and Rubens, important Pre-Raphaelite works, an outstanding selection of sculpture created between the 18th century and World War I, and a large collection of Western European costume. The gallery also hosts contemporary exhibitions and one of the most prestigious art competitions in the country, the John Moores Painting Prize, every two years; winners include David Hockney and Peter Blake, who claimed his 1961 win was among his proudest achievements. There’s even provision for future artists, Big Art for Little Artists is a dedicated children’s gallery, as well as a café and shop.

Following the Roscoe acquisition, the city’s collection was built through annual exhibitions held by the Liverpool Academy and Liverpool Society for the Fine Arts, two competing organisations that eventually led to the other’s collapse. The foundation of the gallery itself was made possible by a donation of £20,000 by local brewer and alderman Andrew Barclay Walker; not previously engaged in the arts, the gift may have been an attempt to improve the reputation of brewing at a time when temperance was on the rise. The gallery opened in 1877, was extended in 1884 and 1931, and given over to the Ministry of Food during World War I for the administration and distribution of ration books. One of the first galleries to hold a regular conservation programme in the 1950s, the establishment of the John Moores Painting Prize in 1957 has since ensured that the very best contemporary painting would come to Liverpool every other year.

The Walker Art Gallery is one of a number of world-class cultural attractions in Liverpool. Discover more in our guide to the city.

William Brown StreetLiverpoolL3 8EL View map
Telephone: 0151 478 4199 Visit Now

Accessibility

Full disabled access

Admission Charges

Free

Children and Families

Baby changing, prams storage, highchairs, children's menu

Commercial and Hire Services

Available for private hire

Services and Facilities

Shop, cafe, gallery

Opening Hours

  • Tuesday10:00am - 6:00pm
  • Wednesday10:00am - 6:00pm
  • Thursday10:00am - 6:00pm
  • Friday10:00am - 6:00pm
  • Saturday10:00am - 6:00pm
  • Sunday10:00am - 6:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near Walker Art Gallery

Dead Ink Books
LiteratureLiverpool
Modern Gothic launch at Bluecoat, Liverpool

The witching hour is upon us, and, just in time for Halloween, Manchester-based Fly On The Wall Press has launched a new horror anthology, Modern Gothic, with various tied-in events.

from £5.00

Where to go near Walker Art Gallery

Liverpool Central Library
City Centre
Library
Liverpool Central Library

The final building in the World Heritage Site of William Brown Street to be revamped, the wonderfully restored Central Library takes pride of place in Liverpool’s architecturally stunning Cultural Quarter alongside St George’s Hall, Walker Art Gallery and World Museum.

City Centre
Music venue
Liverpool Empire Theatre

The largest two-tier theatre in the country, the Liverpool Empire Theatre boasts a busy programme of performances and events all year round.

O2 Academy music venue in Liverpool.
City Centre
Music venue
O2 Academy Liverpool

O2 Academy Liverpool (formerly the L2 and Carling Academy Liverpool) boasts two performance areas that host live music and clubnights.

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Theatre
Royal Court Theatre

The Royal Court Theatre stages mostly home-grown comedies, somewhat mannered and self-conscious reflections of an inward-looking city.

City Centre
Theatre
Liverpool Playhouse

The Liverpool Playhouse, a local gem of a theatre, has a varied programme of events from a rock’n’roll panto, to live poetry and comedy.

Culture Guides