Our Mersey Tunnel Tour takes you on a unique behind the scenes look at the famous Queensway Mersey Tunnel, which opened in 1934.
To ensure our customers get the best experience with our guides, the tours are limited to 20 people per tour. For more information about Tunnel Tours please see our FAQs.
Starting at George's Dock Building, the tours take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 5pm and Saturdays at 10am, the tour will take approx two hours. Please be aware that the Saturday tour often sells out up to 6 weeks in advance. Unfortunately, only children over 10 years of age are allowed on the tour.
As well as learning about the construction of the tunnel, you will visit the original control room, see giant ventilation fans in action and go down to watch the traffic in the tunnel, deep below the city streets. You will also find out which Hollywood movies the tunnel has featured in!
There are a lot of steps to walk up and down during the tour and therefore it is not suitable for people with mobility, breathing and sight difficulties. The tour is also inadvisable for people in the later stages of pregnancy.
The price of the tour is £10 (plus booking fee) per person.
Groups of 12 or more - tours available Saturday afternoons and other times by prior appointment. Contact our team on [email protected] or call 0151 330 4504 or 0151 330 1004.
You can either buy our gift vouchers in person from our Travel Centres located at Queen Square, Liverpool One and Birkenhead or you can buy them over the phone by calling 0151 330 1004 and they will be posted out to you with some information about the tour.
Vouchers cost £10 and they are valid for 12 months.
For enquiries, groups and gift vouchers email [email protected] or call 0151 330 4504 or 0151 330 1004.
Learn how the tunnel was constructed
See giant ventilation fans in action
Visit the original tunnel control room
What happens if I am unable to attend?
If you are unwell and unable to attend the tour please email [email protected] to rearrange your booking to another date.
If you have a problem within an hour of being due to arrive for your tour please contact our Control Room on 0151 330 4538 and they can pass a message to the guides.
When are the tours?
Tours run on a Tuesday and Thursday at 5pm, and Saturday mornings at 10am. We do ask participants to be at George's Dock Building 15 minutes before tour starts.
Do I have to book to come on a tour?
Yes, pre booking is essential as there are only a limited number of places available. We can accept walk ups on the day if there is still availability
How long are the tours?
The tour usually takes around 2- 2 ½ hrs depending on the size of the group.
How much are the tours?
The tours cost £10 plus booking fee per person, there are no concessions. Individuals and small groups book via Ticket Quarter. The web link is www.merseytravel.gov.uk/tunneltours or customers can call 0151 330 4504 or 0151 330 1004 for further information on the tours.
Groups of 12 or more book directly with Mersey Tunnel Tours and get a 10% discount. Please contact [email protected] or call 0151 330 4504 or 0151 330 1004.
How do I pay for the tour?
Tours for individuals are paid at time of booking via Ticket Quarter.
Payments for groups require a £96 deposit, paid at the time of booking. Please call 0151 330 4504 to pay.
Is there any parking?
We offer no onsite parking. There is parking in Liverpool One which is about 5 minutes walk or if you are coming in for the evening tour there are pay and display bays on Brunswick Street (the 2hr parking restriction ends at 6pm). There is also parking available at the capital car park situated just off the Strand.
Do you do any alternately timed tours?
Yes, we offer a tour on a Saturday afternoon at 1.00pm for organised groups of 12-20 people (20 maximum currently). Other times can be arranged subject to prior arrangement. If an evening tour is booked out fully by a group, a start time of up to 6pm can be offered. Please contact [email protected] or 0151 330 4504.
Do you offer educational/special needs group/specialist tours?
Yes, education or groups with special needs can be offered a slightly shorter daytime tour (guide availability permitting) please refer request to [email protected] or 0151 330 4504. These tours are charged at £140 for local education groups within the LCR and can be invoiced if required. Education groups from outside the LCR pay £10 per person (group leader goes free) when booking via [email protected]
Regarding Engineering tours or other groups who wish to come during the daytime, these can also be organised by prior arrangement and will be £10 per person and one free place for the group leader.
How many people can I bring?
There are a maximum number of 20 people per tour. If a tour has less than 5 people booked on it then participants will be asked to come on an alternative date.
Are children allowed on the tour?
Children aged 10 and over are allowed on the tour, there must be 1 adult to 2 children. Larger groups of children can be accommodated by prior arrangement.
What type of clothing should I wear?
Warm clothing and comfortable shoes are recommended. The industrial area can be a little cool and dusty so darker clothing is advisable.
How many steps are there?
There are approx 600 steps, but these are taken in sections, the largest being 120 steps in one go, which is down to the road deck. They are all normal concrete stairs apart form a small section of metal stairs, which spiral down under the road deck. There are no vertical ladders.
Is there a lift?
Yes there are 2 lifts; however, we cannot guarantee that these will always be working, so participants must be able to manage all stairs if necessary. Even with the lifts there will still be just under 300 stairs to go up or down.
Can I take photographs/video footage?
Yes, photographs can be taken anywhere apart from on the road deck area where flash photography is forbidden. Short bursts of video for personal use are permitted.
Are there any toilets on the tour route?
No, the only toilets available are at the beginning and end of the tour.
Is the tour ok for people who suffer claustrophobia?
We have had people who suffer from claustrophobia who have been fine throughout the tour, however we have had people who haven’t, and they have had to leave the tour early. There are no confined spaces but obviously, you will be underground.
Please call 0151 330 4504 if you have any specific questions about the tour route.
Do you sell gift vouchers?
Yes, we do. Gift vouchers are £8 each and are available on 0151 330 1004 or in person from Liverpool One, Queen Square or Birkenhead Bus Stations and also the Pier Head Ferry Terminal (card payments only).
Any gift vouchers that were due to expire in 2020 or 2021 have now been extended until 31/12/2022.
Do you allow guide dogs on the tour?
Unfortunately we cannot accommodate guide dogs. The tours are unsuitable for anyone with sight problems.
Is it well lit?
The majority of the tour is in large well lit areas but the Exhaust Chamber and air inverts have slightly decreased lighting but are still categorised as ‘safe working lighting’
Are there any rats?
In 15 years of running the tours we have never come across a rat. They will be up at the entrances where there is a food supply but there is nothing for them to eat in the areas that we go.
Can I take a bag
We have a secure room where we can lock away large bags and luggage. Small bags are permitted but bear in mind you will need a free hand to use the stairs safely.
Are the tours accessible
George's Dock Building is a Grade II listed industrial building so unfortunately the tour is not accessible for wheelchair users. The tour is also unsuitable for anyone who has sight, mobility or breathing problems and is not recommended for anyone who is heavily pregnant.
Note:
Groups of 12 or more contact [email protected] or call 0151 330 4504 or 0151 330 1004.
Mersey Tunnel Tours is a behind the scenes tour of an industrial Grade 2 listed building. The foyer is accessible via four steps and the original Control Room is accessible via a lift. The tour however is unsuitable for people with mobility, breathing or visual difficulties as there are over 600 steps up and down during the course of the tour and lighting can be low level in some areas. The industrial area of the tour has a high level of background noise. Lifts can be used but there will still be around 300 stairs without lift access.
All participants will be required to wear a hard hat.
Pre-Arrival
Arrival & Car Parking Facilities
Main Entrance, Reception & Ticketing Area
Public Areas - Hall, Stairs, Landing, Corridors etc
Additional Information
Address:
Mersey Tunnel Tours
George's Dock Building
Pier Head
Liverpool
L3 1DD
Website for online bookings: www.merseytravel.gov.uk/tunneltours
Telephone bookings: TicketQuarter 0151 330 1004
Hours of operation: Tours held Thursday 5pm and Saturday at 10am. Groups of 12 or more, tours by arrangement.
We welcome your feedback to help us continually improve. If you have any comments please phone 0151 330 4504 or email [email protected]
1.1 When the following words with capital letters are used in these Terms, this is what they will mean:
Agent: is defined as Ticket Quarter Limited or any other 3rd party distributor appointed by
Merseytravel from time to time
Event Outside Our Control: is defined in clause 7.1;
Tunnel Tour: the services that We are providing to you
Terms: the terms and conditions set out in this document; and
We/Our/Us: Merseytravel and its employees or agents
1.2 When We use the words "writing" or "written" in these Terms, this will include e-mail unless we say otherwise.
2. OUR CONTRACT WITH YOU
2.1 Your contract with us shall take effect from the time that you purchase and/or make your booking either via Merseytravel or via one of our Agents
2.2 By making a booking with us you accept that these Terms of Business and any terms and conditions of our Agents will apply both to you and all persons on whose behalf your purchase is also made and you thereby confirm that you have the necessary authority of such persons to do so on their behalf.
2.3 Your contract with us is governed by English Law and the English courts shall have non-exclusive jurisdiction over any dispute with us.
3. CHANGES TO TERMS
3.1 We have the discretion to amend these Terms from time to time replacing all previous versions published by Merseytravel.
4. THE SERVICES
4.1 Subject to Clause 8 and 9 We will supply the Tunnel Tour to you for the date and time agreed at the time of your booking.
4.4 Tunnel Tours require a minimum of 5 or more bookings per tour. Merseytravel reserve the right to re-arrange or re-schedule the Tour if the minimum number of bookings has not been achieved.
5. RETURNS AND REFUND
5.1Tickets cannot be returned to Merseytravel or refunded after purchase, unless the Event is cancelled, or the Customer is instructed to do so by Merseytravel. Where an event is cancelled, please return your ticket to Merseytravel with proof of purchase.
5.2 These terms and conditions do not and shall not affect the Customer’s statutory rights.
6. PRICE AND PAYMENT
6.1 The price of the Tunnel Tour will be set out in our price list in force at the time you purchase your ticket. You can access the price list at www.merseytravel.gov.uk/tunneltours and at www.ticketquarter.co.uk/online/mersey-tunnel-tours
6.2 All prices include VAT but exclude any administration fees (or postage costs should that be necessary)
7. GROUP BOOKINGS
7.1 To make a group booking we require a minimum of 12 people and we can only allow for a maximum of 24 people.
8. CANCELLATIONS AND/OR DELAYS IN THE SERVICE
8.1 We will make every effort to deliver the Tunnel Tour on time. However, there may be delays or a cancelled tour due to an Event Outside Our Control as described in clause 8 for which Merseytravel will not be held liable.
8.2 If a tour is delayed or cancelled due to an Event Outside Our Control We will endeavour to reschedule the tour for either a later time on the same day or for a different day. This decision will be at Merseytravels’ sole discretion.
8.3 Merseytravel may consider refunding tickets for delayed or cancelled Tunnel Tours however this will be a decision made at Merseytravels’ sole discretion and only if one of the alternative methods of remedy described in clauses 8.2 would not be suitable.
8.4 Merseytravel will not be liable for any indirect or consequential losses that may arise as a result of a cancellation or delay in a Service, but not limited to, Merseytravel will not be liable to pay for any accommodation or alternative travel costs.
8.5 Merseytravel will not be liable for the reimbursement of tickets, as a direct result of the customer subsequently being unable to attend a pre-booked tour.
9. EVENTS OUTSIDE OUR CONTROL
9.1 An Event Outside Our Control means any act or event beyond Our reasonable control, including without limitation incident within the tunnels, strikes, lock-outs or other industrial action by third parties, fire, explosion, storm, flood, high tides, earthquakes, bad weather, fault in machinery, or any other natural disaster, or failure of public or private telecommunications networks.
9.2 If an Event Outside Our Control takes place that affects the performance of Our obligations under these Terms, Our obligation under these Terms will be suspended and the time for performance of Our obligations will be extended for the duration of the Event Outside Our Control.
9.3 Where the Event Outside Our Control affects Our performance of the Tunnel Tour to you, We will reschedule the tour as soon as reasonably possible after the Event Outside Our Control is over. Wherever possible Merseytravel at their absolute discretion may continue with the Tour avoiding the Event Outside Our Control if they deem it is safe to do so
9.4 Merseytravel accepts no responsibility for any loss and/or damage suffered by you as a result of any Event Outside Our Control (including any distress, inconvenience, anxiety, loss of enjoyment or damage to any property). This does not affect your statutory rights.
10. CONDUCT
10.1 You are expected at all times to conduct yourself in a manner which respects the health, comfort and safety of all other persons on the tour. You are also expected to comply with any reasonable request made by a member of our staff. If you do not, or if in our opinion your conduct is likely to give cause for concern, we reserve the right to refuse entry to the tour or may request that you leave the tour at any point. Under such circumstances we will not refund any money that you have paid for the tour and shall have no liability to you as a result of the cancellation.
10.2 All visitors must pay attention to and comply with all regulations and notices relating to the safety and security for the duration of the tour.
10.3 Smoking is strictly prohibited.
10.4 Any visitor that appears to be intoxicated may be refused entry by Merseytravel staff or employees
11. OTHER IMPORTANT TERMS
11.1 Only persons authorised by Merseytravel are permitted to sell or offer for sale any tickets for the Tunnel Tour outlined in these Terms.
11.2 Each of the paragraphs of these Terms operates separately. If any court or relevant authority decides that any of them are unlawful, the remaining paragraphs will remain in full force and effect.
12. DISCOUNTED TICKETS
12.1 We offer a discounted rate to local educational establishments. Please call for further details.
13. MERSEYTRAVEL DISCLAIMER
13.1 Merseytravel shall not be liable for any injury to and/or death of any visitors or loss of/or damage to any property of visitors whilst in the custody or control of Merseytravel, unless such injury/death or loss is due to the negligence of Merseytravel.
13.2 Mersey travel shall not be liable for any indirect or consequential losses suffered by any visitors.
13.3 Due to the nature and physicality of the Tour we cannot be held responsible for any damage to clothing or property. The Tour is unsuitable for anyone under the age of 10 years old, anyone who is visually impaired or anyone who has any breathing or mobility issues.
