Afternoon Tea and tours on offer at our stunning Town Hall

Tours, tea and tipples are just some of the treats in store for visitors to one of Liverpool’s most beautiful buildings.

Liverpool Town Hall is throwing open its magnificent doors for nearly a fortnight of open days (Monday 14 to Sunday 27 August) which will give members of the public the chance to have a look around one of the crown jewels of the city’s world heritage site.

For the first time visitors will be able to enjoy afternoon tea, served on vintage china, in the Lord Mayor’s Tea Parlour. It will be available from Thursday 17 until Sunday 20 August (as part of National Afternoon Tea Week) with a selection of delicious sweet and savoury treats on offer. Booking is essential and tickets are just £17 per person for the afternoon tea, or to add a bit of fizz to the occasion it’s £22 with a glass of Prosecco. For more information, or to buy tickets, visit www.ticketquarter.co.uk/online/lord-mayors-tea-parlour.

Another new addition is the transformation of the iconic Town Hall balcony into a green haven of peace and relaxation where a chilled glass of Prosecco can be enjoyed.

The usual favourites return for this annual event as legendary local historian Steve Binns MBE returns, ahead of his retirement, to lead guided tours, sharing his unrivalled knowledge on one of his favourite subjects – Liverpool Town Hall. Other experienced guides will also be on hand to give visitors a fascinating insight into life at the venue.

The tours which cost £5 per person and can last around an hour and a half, will take place on the following dates:

• Monday 14 August
• Tuesday 15 August
• Wednesday 16 August
• Thursday 17 August
• Friday 18 August
• Saturday 19 August
• Sunday 20 August
• Monday 21 August
• Tuesday 22 August
• Wednesday 23 August
• Thursday 24 August
• Saturday 26 August
• Sunday 27 August

Times for the tours vary, so to find out more information and to book a place, call 0151 233 3020.

The interior of the Council chamber of the Town Hall,
Picture. Marbury

Alternatively, visitors are welcome to have a wander around the Grade I listed building for free during the fortnight, from 10am to 4pm each day (10 to 3pm on 19 August). They can take in the stunning 18^thcentury surroundings such as the detailed frescoes that hang in the entrance the hall, the incredible chandeliers taking centre stage in the concert room and large ballroom and the grand sweeping red-carpet staircase.

Liverpool’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, said: “The Town Hall is one of Liverpool’s gems – architecturally it’s stunning, inside and out, so this is a fantastic opportunity for both locals and visitors to spend some time here and see this amazing building for themselves.

“The open days were extremely popular last year – in particular the guided tours as visitors were wowed by Steve’s encyclopaedic knowledge of the Hall and the fascinating history to the building.

“I’m sure the addition of Afternoon Tea will prove to be a huge hit and I look forward to partaking in a scone or two with visitors!”

Liverpool Town Hall is home to the Lord Mayor of Liverpool and is regarded as one of the finest surviving 18^th Century Town Halls in the country. Some Town Hall highlights not to be missed across the fortnight include visits to the:

Dining Room:

A room designed to impress, look no further than the Dining Room. It has hosted a great number of civic banquets and events over the years, and antique items of sculpture and ceramics are displayed in the room along with fine works of art, crystal chandeliers and the outstanding celing which is carved in gold. For the open days the polished Italian Mahogany dining table will be dressed with civic silver.

Crypt at the Café

Visitors are able to relax and enjoy a slice of cake or two in the ambient and historic surroundings of the brand new ‘Cake at the Crypt Café’. Free WIFi is available and there’s also a souvenir shop to peruse for a memento of the day.

Hall of Remembrance:

The Hall of Remembrance, which was opened by the Duke of Windsor, then Prince of Wales, in 1921 is Liverpool’s Roll of Honour to over 13,000 galant Military men from Liverpool who lost their lives during the First World War. Among those names recorded are a number of holders of the Victoria Cross, most famously Captain Noel Chavasse, one of the very few to have earned the distinction twice. Visitors will be able to search for their relatives with individually printed certificates available at £7.99.

For more information, or to buy tickets, visit www.ticketquarter.co.uk/online/lord-mayors-tea-parlour.