i love this place. fans of echo & the bunnymen’s might spot the cover for “the back of love” single, which is taken from a painting by Henry Scott Tuke

One of the oldest galleries in Liverpool and in my opinion one of the best and most rewarding. It is a perfect place to take people who are visting and the surrounding area is full of things to do. Its exhibitions are full of variety and cater for all tastes.

Mixture of Traditional and Modern Exhibitions. Fantastic Building. There is a cafe downstairs for refreshments. Good place for a tourist to visit.

Liverpool's Walker Art Gallery, housed in a distinguished neo-classical building in the heart of the city, is one of Europe's outstanding art collections. It's a must-see on any visit to the city.

The origins of the collection go back to 1819, when the Liverpool Royal Institution acquired the collection of William Roscoe, to avoid it being broken up on his death. Over the succeeding years, a growing movement of art and cultural awarness in Liverpool led to a regular programme of art and exhibitions, hosted by various organisations and modelled on those established in London.

But the impetus was given the real boost it needed when, in 1873, Andrew Barclay Walker offered to present an art gallery to Liverpool to mark his term as the city's Mayor. The imposing edifice of the Walker Art Gallery opened its doors in 1877.

Over subsequent years, the collection has been expanded and enhanced, with a particular emphasis on acquiring both contemporary and traditional works.

The main attractions are:

- Italian and Netherland schools from 1350-1550;
- European art from 1550-1900 including works by Rembrandt, Poussin, Degas, Millais, Cezanne, Rubens, Monet, Delaroche, Picasso, Degas and Tissot;
- 18th and 19th century British art including Reynolds, Turner, Stubbs (an outstanding selection), Landseer, Gainsborough and Hogarth;
- one of the world's foremost collections of Pre-Raphaelite works;
- a wide collection of prints, drawings and watercolours;
- 20th century works by artists such as Lucian Freud, Augustus John, David Hockney and Gilbert and George.

Highlights include 'When did you last see your father?' by Yeames, Holbein's portrait of Henry VIII and 'Dante's Dream' by Rossetti. Personal favourites of mine are the dark and evocative 'Ruins of Holyrood Chapel', by Louis Daguerre (inventor of the photographic method) and, epitomising Victorian sentimental art, 'The Promise', by Henry Tuke.

There's the usual cafe and shop, and an active programme of exhibitions, lectures and tours. The museum caters well for children, with a specialised gallery 'Big Art for Little Artists', aimed at those up to 8 years old, with all sorts of art-based activities for children and their parents to enjoy together. There's also a gallery trail focussing on art likely to interest children and young people. Baby changing facilities, pram storage and a children's menu in the cafe are also provided. The gallery is fully accessible to those using wheelchairs.

Finally, the web-site has a huge selection of paintings available on-line, as well as information about current exhibitions.