Liverpool’s historic Cunard Building will open its doors for a special heritage market and exclusive tours to mark the cruise line Queen Anne’s visit to the city this month.
The Grade II* listed building’s historic arrivals hall will host a 50-stall market on Wednesday 17 June, which will run alongside existing popular tours exploring the history of the famous building and its links to Cunard’s heritage.
Queen Anne will also spend the day in the city, berthing at the nearby Liverpool Cruise Port. The newest ship in the Cunard fleet, Queen Anne was officially named in Liverpool in 2024 during a ceremony which saw the city of Liverpool receive the proud honour of being appointed the ship’s godparent – a world first for a city.
Cunard Building’s heritage market will be open between 10am and 5pm and will host a range of local traders selling of products including food, drink, artwork, gifts, jewellery, and much more.
This will be the second time the Cunard Building Heritage Market has taken place – the first was during the visit of Queen Mary 2 to the city last year. Entry into the market is free of charge and accessible via the Strand entrance.
Alongside the market, visitors can now also purchase tickets to exclusive behind the scenes tours of the Cunard Building.
Led by Liverpool’s heritage experts, these intimate tours invite visitors to explore areas of the Cunard Building that are normally closed to the public, including the historic basement, once a bustling operations hub, and the atmospheric former Arrivals Lounge.
Visitors will discover stories of shipping legends, architectural detail, and the building’s role in Liverpool’s global maritime identity.
For more information on tickets, pricing, and dates please visit: Cunard Building Heritage Tours.
Tickets for all tours must be booked in advance, and demand for the 17 June is expected to be high, so early booking is recommended.
For more information on the market visit www.Liverpool.gov.uk/markets.
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, 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.
“17 June offers the unique chance to combine one of these tours with a browse around our popular heritage market and a shoreside viewing of the newest ship in Cunard’s fleet, Queen Anne, ahead of the hugely anticipated Four Queens visit in 2028.”
Alan Smith, Liverpool’s Head of Heritage, Preservation and Development, said: “We’re pleased to be able to continue to host the tours of the Cunard Building which take people down into its working heart.
“It’s amazing to see the infrastructure that is still in situ, from the massive shipping line’s safes, where passengers’ valuables were held, to the luggage racking which gives a genuine insight into what travellers to the New World encountered.
“Then visitors descend into the basement areas to see how the building was used as an air raid shelter during the Second World War.
“It is a great opportunity to see the operations of one of Liverpool’s most iconic venues.”
