Port Sunlight

Explore Port Sunlight, one of the finest industrial worker villages in the world and a great day out no matter the season.

Built in 1888 by William Lever to house the factory workers at his Sunlight Soap factory, Port Sunlight was a radical vision to provide a healthy and beautiful place for working class people to live and work. Today, Port Sunlight is home to over 900 Arts and Crafts-style houses, acres of stunning gardens and parkland, a fascinating museum, a world-class art gallery and a thriving community.

Visit Port Sunlight Museum and join a walking tour

An independent award-winning museum telling the story of William Lever and his vision to create Port Sunlight, a healthy and beautiful place to live for the workers at his Sunlight Soap factory.

Step inside Port Sunlight Museum to explore how the village developed over the years, from the working and living conditions to the charming architecture, and meet the people who built it and lived here. The museum is packed with tales and nostalgia from displays of vintage soap packaging to Ringo Starr's first performance with the Beatles in the village in 1962.

Through film shows, interactives, models and an array of intriguing artefacts, you can discover the tale of this inspirational village. Next door to Port Sunlight Museum at Number 22 King George's Drive, you can step inside a worker's cottage and experience what everyday life was like in Port Sunlight in Edwardian times. Explore the recreated home of the Carr family, who were real long-time tenants and worked in the Lever Brothers factory.

The cottage is filled with artefacts and you'll be given a warm welcome by our volunteers, who will share the story of this special house. Fascinating walking tours of the village also run throughout the year, beginning at Port Sunlight Museum. Pre-booking is recommended.

Top attractions

In addition to Port Sunlight Museum, there are several attractions in the village not to miss. Visit Lady Lever Art Gallery (National Museums Liverpool) to see one of the finest collections of fine and decorative art in the UK. Step inside the magnificent Bridge Cottage Gallery to explore temporary exhibitions ranging from photography to fashion. Enjoy a show at the famous Gladstone Theatre, with its thriving programme of drama, musicals, comedy and more or head to Hulme Hall to browse the regular markets & fairs and see where the Beatles first performed as the Fab Four with Ringo Starr in 1962.

There’s always something happening in Port Sunlight, from food and drink festivals to family trails to open-air theatre. Find out what’s coming up in Port Sunlight.

Gardens and parks

Port Sunlight’s beautiful gardens and parks make it a perfect place to escape to throughout the year. Discover winter wonderland walks, springtime displays, summer strolls through one of the longest rose gardens in the North West, and unmissable shows of autumn colour.

Getting to Port Sunlight

Located in Wirral, less than half an hour away from Chester by train and car, Port Sunlight offers the perfect day out for the whole family. There’s plenty of free parking around the village. Port Sunlight and Bebington stations are located on either end of the village, with regular Merseyrail services between Liverpool and Chester/Ellesmere Port.

Go to www.portsunlightvillage.com to plan your visit.