Hardman heritage walk 3: pierhead and the docks
A circular walk around Liverpool city centre exploring the streets where Edward Chambré Hardman took many of his photographs.
Marvel at the Liver Building and the docks, and take time out to visit the Open Eye Gallery and the Liverpool Tate on your way.
Map
Start:
Dale Street, Liverpool City Centre, grid ref: SJ343905
1
Start on Dale Street near Moorfields Station. From here walk towards the Pier Head, looking out for the columns of the Town Hall on your right-hand side.
2
Walk past Martins Bank and turn right down Rumford Street to Chapel Street. Turn left on to Chapel Street. You will soon see the walls of the Chapel and the Old Church Yard. Keep walking to the main road George's Dock Gates. On the corner here you will see the fountain that appears in the photograph.
Chapel Street
Photograph of the corner of Chapel Street by St Nicholas' Church in Liverpool, looking away from the docks. In the bottom-right-hand corner is a boy at a drinking fountain. Tram lines run along Chapel Street at this point, trams stopped running in 1957.
3
Cross over the main road - George's Dock Gates - then walk left. You will see the Liver Building in front of you. Look up for this one.
The Liver Building
Photograph of the Clock Tower on the Liver Building with the well known Liver bird above. Hardman took many photographs of the Liver building and this view is particularly impressive due to the way the clouds behind add atmosphere to the composition.
4
As you walk further down The Strand, the Mersey Tunnel Ventilator Tower will soon become visible.
5
A little further down the Strand on the right-hand side at Mann Island is The Open Eye Gallery. Founded in 1977, Open Eye is an independent not-for-profit photography gallery. Once you have left the Open Eye Gallery walk back out onto the Strand and around Canning Dock. Then carry on into the Albert Dock, stopping on Salthouse Quay to take in the view of Pier Head, although very recent building work makes this view very different to that which Hardman would have seen.
Canning Dock
Photograph of the Canning Dock in Liverpool, with the tide in. A warehouse is visible on the left and in the background the pier head buildings can be seen. The Mersey Docks and Harbour Board Building is the first building, with the George's Dock Building and the Royal Liver Building behind.
6
From Salthouse Quay, carry on walking in the direction of the Tate Liverpool to see another of the places Hardman photographed during his long career.
Albert Dock
This shows four stevedores loading grain (a stevedore is someone who is employed in the loading or unloading of ships). One man is passing it down a shoot to another. In the background is the Albert Dock.
7
Finish at the Tate where you can stop to look round or for food and drink. Or make your way back to Dale Street through Liverpool One.
End:
Dale Street, Liverpool City Centre, grid ref: SJ343905
