Heritage Open Days – Free entry to Port Sunlight Museum

As part of the national Heritage Open Days scheme, enjoy free entry to Port Sunlight Museum and the Edwardian Worker’s Cottage as we step back in time to 1913, experience a Victorian schoolroom at SoapWorks, and see World War I re-enactors parading around the Diamond.

Please note there are no spaces available on our Uncomfortable Histories talks at Port Sunlight Museum and there is no waiting list on this occasion. To learn about future talks and events, you can sign up to our mailing list here.

Things to see and do

See the worker’s cottage brought to life through costumed interpreters reliving their Edwardian lives, inspired by people and stories of Port Sunlight. You’ll be able to interact and hear from residents from 1913 and see the impact of the community’s influence on village life through time.

Fancy donning your flat cap or high lace collar shirt to be a part of the action? We’ll have dressing up opportunities available for the whole family along the way, but we welcome guests to join us in playing dress up for the day.

Our award-winning museum tells the story of William Lever and his vision to create a village for 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.

Next door to Port Sunlight Museum at 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.

Our family-friendly SoapWorks learning centre based in the Lyceum will be open to explore for the day where you can step back in time to when this building was the village’s original schoolroom.

World War I re-enactors will also be parading around the Diamond and outside Port Sunlight Museum throughout the day.

Planning your visit

You don’t need to pre-book (except for the Uncomfortable Histories talk, which is sold out) – just turn up and join in the history fun.

Free parking is available opposite Port Sunlight Museum.

Find out more about getting here, places to eat, and facilities & access.