What You Will Do
Join this tour to learn about the history of Liverpool during the late Georgian and early Victorian periods and discover how some of the more famous residents changed and influenced world developments – many of which we take for granted today.
Liverpool was at its trading peak during the late Georgian and early Victorian periods and its affluent merchants were seeking grand houses outside of the town center.
It was during this period that Hope Street and Rodney Street were laid out and the building of fine houses began.
Take a journey back in time and learn about the famous residents and rich history of this era.
After the tour, you might want to visit the Victoria Museum housed in the original University of Liverpool building and displays a whole host of fascinating (and sometimes gruesome) medical artifacts from Victorian times. Please note that this is no longer part of our itinerary but our tour guide will be happy to show you how to get there.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Itinerary
Meeting Point
Your tour guide will have signage indicating the meeting point of the tour.
1
Hope Street
1 hour
Hope Street has developed as a bohemian area with trendy bars, restaurants, and a theatre but retains a fascinating history associated with its buildings and sculptures.
Hope Street is named after William Hope, a merchant whose house stood on the site now occupied by the Philharmonic Hall.
Hope Street was voted as the best street in the UK and Ireland by The Academy of Urbanism, who awarded it The Great Street 2013.
The award of the 2014 Stirling Architectural Prize for the renovation of the Everyman Theatre again turned the spotlight on Hope Street.
Famously linking the two cathedrals, it contains many cultural, social and public buildings. In addition to the Everyman, there’s the Philharmonic Hall, the Philharmonic Pub, and a Masonic Lodge. However, in its 200-year history, Hope Street’s 600-yard length has also seen a hospital and homeopathic dispensary, a number of churches, an art school, home of a slave trader and a high school for girls.
2
Rodney Street
1 hour
Rodney Street is one of the few streets that would still be recognisable by Liverpool’s 19th Century residents. It has been used as the backdrop for many big film productions as well as a whole load of TV series – Peaky Blinders being one. The street has been associated with Edinburgh’s resurrectionists (grave robbers). It has been home to a prime minister, famous merchants, industrialists and it even has its very own pyramid tomb.
Rodney Street is noted for the number of doctors who practice there and its Georgian architecture. It is sometimes referred to as the "Harley Street of the North". Together with Hope Street and Gambier Terrace, it forms the Rodney Street conservation area. There are over 60 Grade II listed buildings on the street and one Grade II* former church.
Some of the street's famous residents:
~ James Maury, the first United States consul from 1790 to 1829, lived at 4 Rodney Street
~ Brian Epstein, manager of The Beatles, was born at no 4 Rodney Street in 1934
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