Port Sunlight Museum

About the museum

Port Sunlight Museum tells the story of William Lever and his vision of a village for the workers at his Sunlight Soap factory on the Wirral. The village was founded in 1888 and the museum follows its development from the working and living conditions of its first residents to its distinctive architecture and gardens. It is run by Port Sunlight Village Trust, an independent charity set up in 1999 to look after the village and its heritage.

The displays range from vintage soap packaging and a recreated 1900s grocer’s shop to a large model of the village built between the 1960s and 1980s. A 20-minute film, Sunlight Spirit, uses archive footage, and the Port Sunlight at War display includes a searchable database of the names on the village’s Grade I listed war memorial. Another display looks at the village’s link with the Beatles, including the early performance by Ringo Starr there in 1962.

The museum ticket also includes the Worker’s Cottage, an Edwardian house that shows how a family lived in the village. Families can follow a trail, use a design-your-own-house activity area or borrow a sensory backpack. Guided walking tours of the village start from the museum. Income from tickets supports the Trust’s work to preserve and promote the village.

Highlights

• Recreated 1900s grocer’s shop with Lever Brothers soap packaging
• Large model of the village made between the 1960s and 1980s
• Sunlight Spirit, a 20-minute film using archive footage
• Port Sunlight at War with a searchable database of the war memorial names
• Beatles Over The Water display about the village’s link with the band
• Ticket also covers the Edwardian Worker’s Cottage

Permanent exhibitions

• Port Sunlight at War – Original objects, interactive videos and a searchable database of the people named on the village war memorial.
• Beatles Over The Water – A display about the village’s place in the story of the Beatles, including Ringo Starr’s early performance there in 1962.
• Grocer’s shop and village model – A recreated 1900s grocer’s shop stocked with Lever Brothers packaging, and a large model of the village.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Port Sunlight Village Trust

Admission & discounts

One ticket covers the museum and the Worker’s Cottage and stays valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Tickets can be paid for on the day or booked online. A museum ticket gives £2 off a guided walking tour booked at the same time. Gift Aid is optional.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum has level, step-free access at the entrance and throughout. The door to the exhibition space is not automatic, so some visitors may need help. Toilets include an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities. Only assistance dogs are allowed inside. Detailed access guides are available through AccessAble. Sensory backpacks for visitors with additional sensory needs can be borrowed from the shop. The Worker’s Cottage has a step at the entrance and a narrow staircase to the first floor, where a tablet virtual tour is offered instead.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Families can follow Mabel’s Wash Day trail, which asks children to spot miniatures hidden in the displays, and use a design-your-own-Port-Sunlight-house activity area. Sunlight Sensory Backpacks, designed for ages 4 to 9 but open to all, are lent out first come, first served against a refundable cash deposit of £10.

Getting there & parking

From Liverpool use the Birkenhead (Queensway) tunnel and follow the signs; from elsewhere leave the M53 at junction 5 and follow signs for Port Sunlight Village.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

There is a gift shop. The museum itself has no café, but several cafés, tea rooms and a pub are in the village, including Cobble & Hay, Nettle and the Tudor Rose Tea Rooms. Takeaway coffee stands operate on the Village Green in the warmer months.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

The Village Trust hires out the Church Hall, SoapWorks and the Village Green for corporate and community events. These spaces are not inside the museum.

Plan your visit