Bluecoat
Bluecoat
4
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Bluecoat is Liverpool’s contemporary arts centre, a working home for artists, and a place where audiences can experience art in new ways. With a city centre location and striking, Grade I listed building, the Bluecoat offers a dynamic programme of exhibitions and events, an award-winning programme for families and children and a bustling café serving delicious homemade meals. Our legendary garden is open all year round, it's the perfect spot for a coffee break. We're also home to several independent retailers and creative businesses. From wedding dresses and handmade gifts to vintage records and hand-tied bouquets, get your shopping fix while you're here.
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Neighborhood: Central Liverpool
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
319 reviews
Excellent
162
Very good
95
Average
42
Poor
7
Terrible
13
permia
Ireland67,095 contributions
Jun 2023
It was marvellous visiting the oldest complex in the city centre, given that it dates from the early 1700s.
An imposing entrance gateway leads into the courtyard in the midst of the redbrick build with ornate features such as the fine windows and surrounds.
It was apparently between exhibitions, nevertheless it was interesting to see posters from previous displays.
Absorbing was its documented historical ties to colonial events, especially through the central involvement of Bryan Blundell in its founding. A rich merchant, he and his family profited from the odious transatlantic slave trade.
A fine antiquarian bookshop is well worth visiting. It contains multitudes of engrossing volumes laid out across a couple of rooms.
An imposing entrance gateway leads into the courtyard in the midst of the redbrick build with ornate features such as the fine windows and surrounds.
It was apparently between exhibitions, nevertheless it was interesting to see posters from previous displays.
Absorbing was its documented historical ties to colonial events, especially through the central involvement of Bryan Blundell in its founding. A rich merchant, he and his family profited from the odious transatlantic slave trade.
A fine antiquarian bookshop is well worth visiting. It contains multitudes of engrossing volumes laid out across a couple of rooms.
Written June 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil K
Liverpool, UK824,983 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
If you enjoy great architecture then Liverpool is most definitely a city to explore, one of its most stunning buildings is Bluecoat .
Constructed between 1716 - 1717 with further work in 1718 and 1725 ,this was a charity school founded by Reverend Robert Styth & Byron Blundell ( twice Mayor Of Liverpool ) .
When the school closed in 1906 plans were afoot to demolish this building but with the founding of the Bluecoat Society Of Arts the buildings future was secured, this stunning Grade I listed building was damaged during the May blitz of 1941 ,restored post war to its former glory, its now one of the most stunning pieces of architecture in Liverpool, most definitely well worth checking out if you're in the area and easy to locate along School Lane.
Constructed between 1716 - 1717 with further work in 1718 and 1725 ,this was a charity school founded by Reverend Robert Styth & Byron Blundell ( twice Mayor Of Liverpool ) .
When the school closed in 1906 plans were afoot to demolish this building but with the founding of the Bluecoat Society Of Arts the buildings future was secured, this stunning Grade I listed building was damaged during the May blitz of 1941 ,restored post war to its former glory, its now one of the most stunning pieces of architecture in Liverpool, most definitely well worth checking out if you're in the area and easy to locate along School Lane.
Written July 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil K
Liverpool, UK824,983 contributions
Jul 2020 • Friends
Without a shadow of a doubt one of the most beautiful building in Liverpool is the Bluecoat.
Originally constructed as a charity school and founded in 1708 by the Reverend Robert Styth and Byron Blundell ,a former sea captain and mayor of Liverpool twice .
The actual building was constructed between 1716 - 1717 and then extended in 1718 ,with further expansion the Bluecoat construction was eventually completed in 1725.
The school moved in 1906 and unbelievably the building was threatened with demolition until the Sandon Studios Society rented the whole of the Bluecoat, again the building was under constant threat of demolition until a successful campaign to raise money purchased the Bluecoat Chambers and hence the Bluecoat Society Of Arts was founded.
Damaged during world war two and repaired post war to leave us with this beautiful Grade I listed building.
I just love the look of the building, we couldn't enter the grounds or building as its still temporary closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, we passed it on 4th of July heading to The Old Post Office Pub and stopped and admired the beautiful Bluecoat .
Easy to locate along School Lane ,you can cut through onto this street from Church Street.
Originally constructed as a charity school and founded in 1708 by the Reverend Robert Styth and Byron Blundell ,a former sea captain and mayor of Liverpool twice .
The actual building was constructed between 1716 - 1717 and then extended in 1718 ,with further expansion the Bluecoat construction was eventually completed in 1725.
The school moved in 1906 and unbelievably the building was threatened with demolition until the Sandon Studios Society rented the whole of the Bluecoat, again the building was under constant threat of demolition until a successful campaign to raise money purchased the Bluecoat Chambers and hence the Bluecoat Society Of Arts was founded.
Damaged during world war two and repaired post war to leave us with this beautiful Grade I listed building.
I just love the look of the building, we couldn't enter the grounds or building as its still temporary closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, we passed it on 4th of July heading to The Old Post Office Pub and stopped and admired the beautiful Bluecoat .
Easy to locate along School Lane ,you can cut through onto this street from Church Street.
Written July 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisajaynec50
liverpool8 contributions
May 2022 • Family
Visited today for a cup of tea. Been a few times always enjoyed it but after today, sorry won't be back. My daughter arrived after us and went to order herself some food. The quiche was uncovered and there was a large bluebottle fly on it. She told one of the servers who removed the quiche, shooed the fly away and put the quiche back on sale!!!!! With out removing the piece the fly was on or covering it up!!!! Sorry but not good practice and definitely won't be back
Written May 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Lisa. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. This is disappointing to hear and falls short of the high standards we set for our café. We will raise this feedback with our café team and ensure that they all receive refreshed training regarding this issue.
Written June 1, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Neil K
Liverpool, UK824,983 contributions
Jan 2021 • Friends
Liverpool is justifiably famous for its great architecture, so many beautiful buildings on most every street in the city centre, along School Lane is arguably one of the most beautiful buildings in our city namely Bluecoat.
Constructed between 1716 -1717 and extended in 1718 and eventually completed in 1725 ,the building was originally constructed as a charity school and was founded by Reverend Robert Styth and Byron Blundell who was mayor of Liverpool on two occasions.
Looking at the beautiful building it is hard to imagine that when the school moved in 1906 the building was under threat of demolishion, with the founding of the Bluecoat Society Of Arts the future of the building was guaranteed, during world war two the building was damaged in the May blitz of 1941 but repaired post war, what we see today is a stunning Grade I listed building, an unbelievably beautiful building, my twin brother Stephen and I were heading to The Head Of Steam Pub ( pre 3rd lockdown ) and passed this most beautiful of buildings, I took a few photos before moving on.
Bluecoat is easy to locate along School Lane, most definitely well worth checking out if you're in the area.
Constructed between 1716 -1717 and extended in 1718 and eventually completed in 1725 ,the building was originally constructed as a charity school and was founded by Reverend Robert Styth and Byron Blundell who was mayor of Liverpool on two occasions.
Looking at the beautiful building it is hard to imagine that when the school moved in 1906 the building was under threat of demolishion, with the founding of the Bluecoat Society Of Arts the future of the building was guaranteed, during world war two the building was damaged in the May blitz of 1941 but repaired post war, what we see today is a stunning Grade I listed building, an unbelievably beautiful building, my twin brother Stephen and I were heading to The Head Of Steam Pub ( pre 3rd lockdown ) and passed this most beautiful of buildings, I took a few photos before moving on.
Bluecoat is easy to locate along School Lane, most definitely well worth checking out if you're in the area.
Written January 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aimee C
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Family
We had our wedding at The Bluecoat, on 2nd September 2023, and it was just perfect. The food was just amazing, and they were able to help us with all the little detail we wanted. Our guests said to us, that if felt like we were out in the middle of the country and not in the middle of the city centre.
Absolutely beautiful venue for a wedding and the staff were amazing.
Absolutely beautiful venue for a wedding and the staff were amazing.
Written October 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PrestonGuild
United Kingdom56,183 contributions
Mar 2020
This is such an attractive building from the outside. It is over 300 years old and this former school is now a creative hub.
There is a cafe and a museum of the arts. Part of the museum was closed at the time of my visit, one room was open. There is also a small garden.
I realised I must have walked past this building so many times and never noticed it.
There is a cafe and a museum of the arts. Part of the museum was closed at the time of my visit, one room was open. There is also a small garden.
I realised I must have walked past this building so many times and never noticed it.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul S
Warrington, UK469 contributions
Jan 2020
Recommend the upstairs restaurant run by very hard working team. Excellent Fish and Chips, served up by pleasant staff.
Many display areas in addition to the restaurant. There is also a cafe on the ground floor but the upstairs space is more inviting.
Many display areas in addition to the restaurant. There is also a cafe on the ground floor but the upstairs space is more inviting.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenny W
10 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Very disappointed here, place full of staff following you around (? Volunteers ) which was actually quite intimidating and hardly conducive to an inclusive thoughtful atmosphere, particularly when not following us around they were just scrolling through their phones. Woman on the toilet door particularly aggravated me by allowing a woman to jump the queue I was standing in without consideration for whether my need was greater. At this point we left, shame as coffee shop looked nice and I’m sure shops had beautiful things in but plenty of other lovely places in Liverpool to explore.
Written June 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bryan F
Wigan, UK95 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
We visit here regularly and it isnt as local and friendly as it used to be before it was refurbished. We went with our dog and new puppy today so we could sit in the warm but were asked to move outside as the pup was stressed and barking for my wife as she was waiting to be served. The dogs arent aggressive (but pups do make a noise and they can also bark when they are sitting outside as well).
Written December 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It's not a massive size so walking around it will take very little time. Small gallery, eateries and a garden with little shops off it and at the front. Hope this helps.
Written November 1, 2019
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