Visit the Tunnels

Dual-views-from-above

Visit the Tunnels with the Friends of Williamson’s Tunnels

See how the Friends of Williamson’s Tunnels have been recognised for our tours. From major Tourism Awards, to TripAdvisor’s ‘Certificate of Excellence’ & ‘Travellers Choice’ Awards. Reviews from you, our visitors. To the worldwide media and TV coverage we have been featured in.

We run our tours every Wednesday and Sunday, with three tours per day at:

  • 11.00 am
  • 12:30 pm
  • 2.00 pm

Please note: If you would like to do the Full extended tour of both site’s, during the winter months, you must book either the 11.00am or 12.30pm time slots. The 2.00pm tour is Paddington only.

You can book your tour in the normal manner, by phone, e-mail or by using the contact form below. As ever, please arrive 10 minutes before your visit.

Non Members Tours

Visit the amazing four storey Chambers of Paddington. FoWT rediscovered Paddington in 1999 after being sealed and lost for many years. Our volunteers emptied many tonnes of infill from within this Cathedral like space during our four-year Big Dig. See Paddington’s deepest chamber which rarely fails to surprise. This Level 4 chamber is 12m/39ft high and 18m/60ft below ground level.

Tours of Paddington last about an hour.

Extended Members Tours

We also offer Extended Members Tours, which in addition to the Paddington Tunnels, you will be taken around the newly excavated basement of Joseph Williamson’s House, with its newly discovered features. Then down into the depths of Joseph’s subterranean world. Visiting the “Wine Bins”, “Sandstone Arch”, “Gash”, the famous “Banqueting Hall” and the new addition to the tour, the “Boiler Room”.

Tours of Williamson’s House Site also last about an hour.

Not a member yet?

Don’t worry, you are very welcome to become a member on the day you visit Paddington, where you can continue on to do the Extended Members Tour. Alternatively, you can join on-line on our Membership Page.

Group Tours

We can also offer group tours for families, organisations or companies. If you would like further information or to book a group visit, get in touch with us in the normal way, using the contact form or e-mail.

All our visits are free of charge

Whilst our visits are absolutely free of charge, we welcome donations. All donations go into the preservation of the Tunnels, enabling our team of dedicated volunteers to continue their hard and important work in finding and preserving this important piece of Liverpool’s history.

How to book a visit

You can request a visit in one of 3 ways:

Are you a Member?(required)

Please ensure you give us your name, phone number and e-mail address, giving details of your preferred visit date and time, with the number of visitors. Please also give an alternative date and time if possible, in case your preferred date is already fully booked.

Our Telephone is not manned 24 hours a day: All calls and e-mails returned after 6pm.

Tour days and times

FoWT’s volunteers are only on site two days a week, Wednesday and Sunday. Therefore, we generally only offer tours on these days.

Maximum of 10 persons per time slot.

Tour Times:

  • 11:00 am
  • 12:30 pm
  • 2.00 pm

Please note: If you would like to do the Full extended tour of both site’s, during the winter months, you must book either the 11.00am or 12.30pm time slots. The 2.00pm tour is Paddington only.

Timings: Please arrive 10 minutes before your booked visit time.

Location: Joseph Williamson’s House site, Mason Street, Edge Hill, Liverpool, L7 3EW.

Safety Notice

  • Please wear sensible shoes or boots: for safety reasons, admittance will not be permitted if open sandals, flip flops or high heel shoes are worn.
  • It is recommended that easily washed clothing is worn, as there is the possibility of getting dirty.
  • Due to the nature of the Tunnels, you must have good mobility, being able to descend and ascend quite a few steps throughout the tour. When visiting the Banqueting Hall, you must also be happy to use a small (6ft approx.) ships-ladder to climb up into the chamber from the Gash.
  • We will supply you with a hard hat for your visit.
  • We reserve the right to decline access if we feel that an individual’s access might involve risk.

How to find us and Important Notice:

Location: Joseph Williamson’s House site, Mason Street, Edge Hill, Liverpool, L7 3EW.

Joseph Williamson’s House site is the Façade of the old House, which is opposite No 39 Mason Street. Behind the Façade is a large area with 3 Blue containers. This is Williamson’s House site and where the Banqueting Hall, Sandstone Arch, Gash and Wine Bins are located.

Important Notice: When visiting The Friends of Williamson’s Tunnels, please do not follow the brown road signs to “Williamson’s Tunnels” these signs will take you to the Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre on Smithdown Lane and not to FoWT on Mason Street.

There is a limited amount of parking on site.