Our visit to Port Sunlight was quite the journey back in time! Here’s what we learnt and what to expect from Port Sunlight Museum.
We love nothing more than a weekend wander, and if we can make it educational for my son, even better! Despite living in Wirral for more than 20 years, I was surprised to realise I’d never actually visited Port Sunlight Museum. With the launch of my blog, it felt like the perfect opportunity to explore the museum and learn more about this unique village’s history together.
We arrived at Port Sunlight
We travelled to Port Sunlight by train from Hoylake, changing at Hamilton Square before getting off at Bebington Station. From there, it was a 15-minute walk to the museum. You can also get off at Port Sunlight Station, which is around a 10-minute walk away.
Established by William Hesketh Lever in 1888 for workers at his new soap works, Port Sunlight is home to more than 900 Grade II listed buildings set within 130 acres of parkland and gardens.
Before we even reached the museum, we slowed down to admire the village. The architecture immediately caught our attention. It’s unlike anywhere else on the Wirral. More than 30 architects contributed to the design of the village, creating a collection of houses, public buildings, monuments and memorials that give each street its own character.
William Hesketh Lever
William Hesketh Lever was born in Bolton in 1851 and joined his father’s grocery business at the age of 15. Over the following years, he helped expand the family firm before turning his attention to a single product: household soap.
In 1884, Lever recognised the potential of selling soap in individually wrapped bars under a brand name. At the time, soap was typically cut from large blocks and sold by weight. The success of Sunlight Soap helped turn Lever Brothers into one of Britain’s leading soap manufacturers.
In 1885, Lever and his brother, James Darcy Lever, established Lever Brothers and began manufacturing Sunlight Soap in Warrington. Demand quickly grew, and by 1888, construction had begun on a much larger factory on the Wirral. Lever also built Port Sunlight to house workers at the new factory, naming the village after his Sunlight soap brand.
Why was Port Sunlight built?
Lever created Port Sunlight to house employees working at his soap factory. The village reflected his belief that workers should have access to decent housing, green spaces and community facilities.
He described this approach as “prosperity-sharing”. Rather than focusing solely on higher wages, Lever invested in housing and amenities designed to improve workers’ quality of life.
Residents had access to facilities that were unusual for many industrial workers at the time, including open green spaces, schools, a hospital, a concert hall and opportunities for recreation. These amenities reflected Lever’s belief that better living conditions would benefit both workers and the business.
Our review of Port Sunlight Museum
From the outside, Port Sunlight Museum looks impressive. We visited on an icy January Saturday and were greeted by friendly staff who were happy to share information about the village and its history. The museum is housed in a beautifully restored building that once served as a school and lecture hall for village residents.
Inside, the museum explores the story of William Hesketh Lever, the creation of Port Sunlight and the growth of the Sunlight Soap business. Through a mix of displays, photographs and interactive exhibits, visitors can learn more about how the village developed and what life was like for the people who lived there.
One of our favourite activities was designing your own Port Sunlight house. My son loved getting involved, and afterwards, he was spotting architectural features around the village that he hadn’t noticed before.
The exhibits also highlight the thought that went into the village’s design. Homes were built with access to light, fresh air and garden space, reflecting ideas about housing and living conditions that were gaining attention during the Victorian era.
I was surprised at how engaging the museum is for children
The interactive timeline was one of our favourite parts of the museum, and my son loved seeing the old soap packaging. I wasn’t expecting there to be quite so much for children to get involved with, but the exhibits did a great job of bringing the village’s history to life.
My son especially enjoyed the recreated 1900s grocer’s shop, which was stocked with Lever Brothers products. He also spent a while dressing up, which added to the fun.
We also enjoyed the ‘Beatles Over The Water’ display at the end of the museum, which explores Port Sunlight’s connection to the story of The Beatles.
Port Sunlight Museum ticket prices
Our tickets were £8.00 for adults and £5.50 for children. Your ticket also gives you entry to the Edwardian Worker’s Cottage, which was interesting to see.
Accessibility
The Museum offers restroom facilities, including an accessible toilet and baby changing areas. The entrance and all areas within the Museum provide level access. Please be aware that the door leading into the exhibition space is not automatic, so you might need help opening it. They welcome assistance dogs inside the Port Sunlight Museum, but non-assistance dogs are not allowed.
Port Sunlight Museum, 23 King George’s Dr, Bebington, Wirral CH62 5DX
A more complex side of Port Sunlight’s history
While workers in Port Sunlight benefited from improved housing and community facilities, the museum also explores the wider colonial context in which Lever’s business operated.
William Lever established plantations in locations including the Solomon Islands and the Belgian Congo to supply raw materials, such as palm oil, for his soapmaking business. Port Sunlight Village Trust has published information on William Lever, racism, and the Belgian Congo, as well as the village’s broader colonial connections.
Port Sunlight Village Trust is supporting ongoing research into these histories. They have committed to exploring the village’s colonial connections openly through the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion programme.
Bridge Cottage
On the advice of the staff at the museum, we wandered over to Bridge Cottage before heading for our train home. Built in 1892 by the architects Douglas and Fordham, it is one of Port Sunlight’s most recognisable buildings.
Its stone exterior and distinctive design make it stand out from many of the other homes in the village. William Lever used the cottage as an occasional residence until 1900. It later became home to several prominent villagers, including school headmasters and chief civil engineers.
Bridge Cottage has also appeared on screen a number of times. It featured in Chariots of Fire (1981) and Tolkien (2019), while its exterior was used in the television series Peaky Blinders.
Bridge Cottage, 23 Park Rd, Port Sunlight, Birkenhead, Wirral CH62 4US
Lady Lever Art Gallery
We also quickly visited the Lady Lever Art Gallery. Dedicated to the memory of William Lever’s wife, the gallery is home to the best collection of Wedgwood jasperware anywhere in the world, as well as an internationally renowned collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Lady Lever Art Gallery is owned and managed by National Museums Liverpool. Admission is free, although donations are welcome.
Lady Lever Art Gallery, Lower Rd, Port Sunlight, Bebington, Wirral CH62 5EQ
To round off our day before heading home, we popped into the Tudor Rose Tea Rooms for tea and cake.
We had a really interesting day in Port Sunlight and learned a lot at the museum. I’m so glad we finally visited with my son. If you’re planning a trip, check out their website for any special events or exhibitions.
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