Williamson Art Gallery & Museum

About the museum

The Williamson Art Gallery & Museum opened to the public in 1928 in Birkenhead. It was paid for through Birkenhead Borough Council with money from the philanthropists John Williamson and his son Patrick, and it is named after them. The Birkenhead Art Club also contributed works and support to the new gallery.

The building is a single-storey Neo-Georgian structure in the Oxton area, designed to fit in with the surrounding streets. Inside, a series of galleries leads visitors through the collection on one floor.

The collection includes Victorian oil paintings, English watercolours, sculpture, drawings and Liverpool porcelain. The gallery holds the largest public collection of Della Robbia pottery in the UK. There is also a large group of ship models showing the Cammell Laird shipyard, the Mersey ferries and other vessels that used the River Mersey, linking the museum to the maritime history of the area.

Today the gallery combines its permanent collection with a changing programme of free exhibitions, as well as music events, workshops, a café and rooms for hire. It runs community sessions and offers free online learning packs for schools.

Highlights

• Largest public collection of Della Robbia pottery in the UK
• Victorian oil paintings and English watercolours
• Ship models of Cammell Laird, Mersey ferries and Mersey shipping
• Liverpool porcelain
• Free changing exhibitions
• Friday evening opening until 9pm

Permanent exhibition

• Permanent collection – Victorian paintings, ceramics including the largest public collection of Della Robbia pottery in the UK, sculpture, drawings and ship models.

Founded

1928

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission and all exhibitions are free.

Accessibility

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

The galleries are all on one floor, with a ramp up the outdoor steps to the entrance and one wide door in each pair of double doors. A lift gives access to the Green Gallery. The accessible toilet in the foyer, opposite the front desk, is registered with Changing Places. Doors between the galleries are kept open during opening hours except during private functions or exhibition changes.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Baby changing facilities are in the accessible toilet in the foyer. The café is described as child friendly.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café

Café serving hot and cold drinks, light meals and cakes, child friendly; members of the Williamson and Priory Friends, the Inner Circle and National Art Pass holders get 10% off.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Meeting space, art room and some gallery spaces can be hired for events, music and performances, workshops and meetings; three rooms are available for wedding ceremonies. Gallery hire depends on availability.

Plan your visit