History lovers invited inside Liverpool’s famous Cunard Building

Step behind the scenes of the world-famous shipping headquarters to explore hidden underground vaults and a new 2026 digital installation.

Unique behind-the-scenes tours of one of Liverpool’s world-famous waterfront landmarks are now open for visitors wishing to delve into its rich history. Running on selected dates from June to August, the Cunard Building Heritage Tours offer history enthusiasts exclusive access to the city’s transatlantic past.

Guided by experts from Liverpool City Council’s Heritage team, visitors to the Grade II Listed building—one of the Three Graces standing proudly on the banks of the Mersey—are taken on a captivating voyage into yesteryear.

The one-hour tour guides visitors through areas of the waterfront landmark that are normally entirely hidden from public view. Along the way, guests have the chance to hear from the shipping line’s founder, Samuel Cunard, via a fascinating new projection for 2026, which explains why Liverpool was chosen as the ideal location for his transatlantic passenger service when it launched in 1840.

The journey begins in the historic ground-floor Arrivals Lounge, which once welcomed passengers from across the globe and still showcases the architectural detail, stories, and character of Liverpool’s golden age of ocean travel.

From there, the tour heads deep into the atmospheric basement levels. Here, visitors can explore where valuables were securely stored and view the vast underground rooms where steerage passengers waited before embarking on their voyages. The itinerary also includes a visit to the sub-basement, which was transformed into a giant air-raid shelter during the Second World War.

Meanwhile, weekend tour dates offer an additional opportunity to view the upper boardrooms, giving visitors access to some of the building’s most impressive interiors.

Before the magnificent waterfront Cunard Building was constructed, the original Cunard Line offices were located in Water Street. With a design inspired by the grand palazzos of Renaissance Italy, the Portland stone-clad building opened on Monday 12 June 1916 as the new headquarters for the world-famous shipping line, playing a central role in transatlantic travel, migration, and maritime history.

On the heritage tour, visitors will discover how the building functioned during the height of the liner era, explore the craftsmanship behind its Beaux-Arts design, and hear the stories of those who worked and travelled through its doors—from seafarers and migrants to the cultural figures who helped define Liverpool’s international identity.

Councillor Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said: 

“These Cunard Building tours are an incredible opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at one of Liverpool’s most important landmarks and discover more about this vital piece of our city’s history. The Three Graces form an iconic part of our world-famous skyline, and the Cunard Building has its own special story to tell.”

Alan Smith, Liverpool’s Head of Heritage, Preservation and Development, added: 

“We’re delighted to take visitors on a tour of the iconic Cunard Building. Part of the three magnificent ‘graces’, the building is widely regarded as the ultimate physical monument reflecting the golden age of travel.

Serving as the global headquarters of the Cunard line from 1916 to 1967, the building was designed to reflect the company’s status as the absolute master of the transatlantic cruise line travel. The Cunard company, hailing from Liverpool, is credited for bringing the ‘Light’ into the new world.”

Find out more about the tours and book your tickets here.

Find out what’s on in Liverpool here.

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