Explore Dinosaurs, Mummies and More at World Museum Liverpool
In 2008, Liverpool was awarded the title of European Capital of Culture. Whilst the entire thing was at least mildly political in nature, the truth of the matter is that the city has long been a cultural hotbed, known for more than just the fact that it’s where The Beatles come from.
In fact, Liverpool has had a museum available for people to visit since the 18th century, whilst the World Museum opened in 1851 on William Brown Street, although it was known as Shaw’s Brow at the time.
It is one of the crown jewels of the city, but what does it offer and how much will you have to pay to visit?
The Museum’s Origins
There was a museum in Liverpool opened by William Bullock in his house in 1795, which closed in 1809 when he moved it London. The World Museum bears no link to Bullock’s offering, instead having been opened as the natural history collection of the 13th Earl of Derby, being named the Derby Museum.
That was in 1851, have two rooms on Duke Street and sharing them with a library. That proved to be so popular that a purpose-built location was opened in order to move it to, with land donated by Sir William Brown, a wealthy merchant and local Member of Parliament.
An elegant Jurassic bennettite leaf – Pterophyllum – from 175 million years ago, on display in the World Museum, Liverpool.
The label says it has no living relatives. Bennettites may be long extinct, but the tree of life has many branches and they are all ultimately connected.
#FossilFriday ⚒️🌍🌿🔬🦕🌲
— Dr Susannah Lydon (@susieoftraken.bsky.social) Jul 11, 2025 at 20:50
As part of the agreement, it became known as the William Brown Library and Museum, with in the region of 400,000 attending the opening of the new building in 1860.
In the latter part of the 19th century, the museum’s collection began to outgrow the building that it was housed in, so a competition was launched in order to create an extension that would cover both the museum and the nearby College of Technology. It was won by Edward William Mountford, resulting in the College of Technology and Museum Extension being opened for the first time in 1901.
@northwestfamilyadventure LIVERPOOL WORLD MUSEUM | @worldmuseum_ 🏛️ Today we explored the incredible @worldmuseum! This place is a total gem and free to visit! With five floors, each one covering something new, we were spoiled for choice. There’s an aquarium, the story of bees’ survival, natural history exhibits, ancient Egypt, a planetarium, and so much more—every floor pulled us in, and we could have easily spent the entire day here. The museum also has an on-site café and a lovely shop filled with unique gifts for kids. My little boy couldn’t resist picking out some gems and marbles, which he’s been fascinated with ever since. Such an interesting, educational, and fun day for the whole family! We can’t wait to come back. Any suggestions for our next museum adventure? Let us know! 👇 📍William Brown St, Liverpool, United Kingdom L3 8EN 🆓 FREE to visit, however donations are welcome. (They have contactless machines all over the museum, we donated £5) #worldmuseum #worldmuseumliverpool #liverpool #daysout #freeevents #history #egypt #culture #bees #aquarium #planets #rockets #dowtk ♬ Coast – Hotel Pools
During the Second World War, Liverpool’s place as one of the country’s most strategically important ports meant that the city faced heavy bombing in the blitz, with the museum building being hit and suffering extensive damage. Thankfully, the collections the museum housed had been moved to less vulnerable locations, but it still left the building in need of fixing, only opening again 15 years after the end of the war.
In 2005, the museum underwent a refurbishment worth around £35 million, doubling it in size and allowing the exhibits to be more accessible to the public.
What You Can See in the Museum
It was in 2005 that the Liverpool Museum was renamed to become the World Museum, which it has remained ever since. If you are looking for something to do with your time in the city, you could do a lot worse than pay a visit there.
There are numerous different exhibitions that you can have a look around, including the Physical Sciences Collection. It was built after the fire that devastated the building in 1941 and has been expanded over the years. There is a focus on autonomy, time and space, including the planetarium that the World Museum plays host to, which was the first in the UK outside of London.
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Elsewhere in the World Museum, you can look at archeological artefacts, including Egyptian antiques. The Ethnology Collection is considered to rank amongst the best in the country, whilst the Natural World area shows of everything from insects to botanical exhibits.
Even the vertebrate section is worth a look, thanks to the fact that the 13th Earl of Derby had zoology in mind when he founded the museum. The truth is, everywhere you look, there is a treasure trove of excitement and intrigue that will keep even the least curious of minds busy for hours, thanks to Liverpool’s history as a port bringing things in from all around the world.
How Much Does it Cost?
As with anything, costs for a visit to the World Museum in Liverpool can change according to numerous different criteria. The museum itself is free to enter, with donations being welcome but far from a requirement. If you want to go to see a special exhibition or event, however, you will soon find that there is an additional charge unless you are a member of the National Museums Liverpool.
If that is a road that you want to go down then it will cost you £45 to buy an individual adult membership, with different costs if you are a concession, are under 26 or wish to join alongside someone else.
The planetarium, as an example, costs around £4 for an adult, £3 for a concession and £2 for a child aged between three and 17. Those under the age of three can enter the show for free. It is recommended for you to book online as the shows do get busy.
You also need to turn up on time, with late arrivals not being admitted because of the nature of the experience. The World Museum is open between 10am and 5pm, offering paid-for lockers if you need to store anything. There is a café and a shop, as well as a picnic area if you want to take along your own food to eat.
