About
The British Music Experience is the UK's only permanent museum dedicated to the history of British popular music, celebrating seven decades of musical innovation from 1945 to the present day. Located in Liverpool's iconic Cunard Building at Pier Head, this interactive museum tells the extraordinary story of British music's global impact through rare memorabilia, iconic costumes, historic instruments, and immersive multimedia experiences.
Founded in London in 2009 and relocated to Liverpool in 2017, the museum charts British music's evolution from post-war jazz and skiffle through rock'n'roll, beat music, psychedelia, punk, new wave, Britpop, and contemporary genres. The collection features over 600 rare artifacts including costumes worn by David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, and Amy Winehouse, instruments played by The Beatles, The Who, and Oasis, handwritten lyrics, gold discs, and archive footage. Interactive exhibits allow visitors to play instruments, record in a studio, dance through the decades, and explore how British musicians shaped global culture.
The museum's Liverpool location is deeply significant, recognizing the city's pivotal role in British music history – from The Beatles and Merseybeat through to contemporary artists. Set within the magnificent Cunard Building, itself a symbol of Liverpool's cultural heritage, the museum occupies beautifully restored spaces overlooking the River Mersey and the famous Liverpool waterfront. Special exhibitions, live performances, and educational programs complement the permanent galleries.
With admission-charged entry providing access to state-of-the-art interactive displays, rare memorabilia, and engaging storytelling, the British Music Experience offers music fans an unmissable journey through Britain's extraordinary musical heritage.
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Annual Visitors (2019)
75,000
Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
Quietest: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Busiest: Saturday, Sunday
💡 Weekday mornings (10:00-12:00) for quietest experience with more interactive exhibits available
💡 Visitor Tips
- Book tickets online in advance for cheaper admission prices and guaranteed entry, especially important during school holidays and weekends when the museum can reach capacity.
- Allow at least 2-3 hours to fully experience the museum – there's extensive content across multiple decades plus interactive exhibits that require time to enjoy properly.
- The interactive exhibits (recording studio, dance floor, instrument stations) are very popular – visit on weekday mornings for shorter queues and more time to experiment.
- Audio guides are included with admission and provide essential context and stories about artifacts. Use them to get the most from your visit and hear rare recordings.
- The museum shop stocks excellent music books, vinyl records, memorabilia, and unique gifts related to British music history – worth browsing even if you don't visit the galleries.
- Combine your visit with other Pier Head attractions including Museum of Liverpool (200m away) and The Beatles Story at Albert Dock for a full day of Liverpool culture.
- Photography is allowed throughout the museum without flash – the costume displays and Gibson Guitar Wall are particularly photogenic for music fans.
- The museum is located in the stunning Cunard Building with views over the Mersey – take time to appreciate the building's architecture and waterfront location.
Highlights
The Gibson Guitar Wall
An extraordinary display of iconic Gibson guitars played by legendary British musicians, including instruments used by The Beatles, The Who, Oasis, and other rock icons. This stunning visual installation showcases the evolution of the electric guitar in British rock music, with each instrument accompanied by stories of the songs recorded and concerts performed.
Visitors can see the actual guitars that created some of the most famous sounds in rock history.
Interactive elements allow exploration of different guitar techniques and sounds that defined British rock. The Gibson Wall represents both the craftsmanship of these legendary instruments and their central role in shaping British popular music.
David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust Costume
One of the museum's most iconic pieces is an original costume worn by David Bowie during his groundbreaking Ziggy Stardust performances in the early 1970s. This glittering, flamboyant outfit exemplifies how Bowie revolutionized not just music but fashion, performance art, and cultural attitudes. The costume's theatrical design, bold colors, and androgynous style shocked and inspired audiences, helping to break down gender barriers in popular culture.
Displayed alongside photographs, footage, and context about Bowie's artistic evolution, this exhibit demonstrates how British musicians used visual spectacle and theatrical personas to create entirely new forms of artistic expression that influenced generations of performers worldwide.
The Recording Studio Experience
An interactive recording studio allows visitors to step into the role of music producers and performers, using professional equipment to mix tracks, add effects, and create their own recordings. This hands-on exhibit demonstrates the technical and creative processes behind music production, from multi-track recording to final mixing.
Visitors can experiment with famous British songs, learning how different elements – vocals, guitars, drums, bass – combine to create finished tracks.
The studio features authentic equipment and provides insights into how legendary producers and engineers achieved the distinctive sounds that made British music globally influential. This experience is particularly popular with aspiring musicians and anyone curious about music production.
The Beatles and Merseybeat Gallery
A comprehensive exhibition exploring The Beatles' phenomenal impact and Liverpool's central role in 1960s British music. The gallery features rare Beatles memorabilia, instruments, photographs, and original recordings, alongside exhibits on other Merseybeat bands like Gerry and the Pacemakers and The Searchers.
Interactive displays explain how Liverpool's unique cultural environment – its maritime connections, Irish influences, and vibrant club scene – created the conditions for musical innovation.
Visitors can explore how The Beatles revolutionized songwriting, recording techniques, and popular music's cultural significance.
The exhibition contextualizes Merseybeat within broader British music history while celebrating Liverpool's extraordinary musical legacy.
Collections
The British Music Experience houses one of the world's most comprehensive collections of British popular music memorabilia, with over 600 artifacts spanning 1945 to the present. Collections include iconic stage costumes worn by David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, Amy Winehouse, and Adele; instruments played by The Beatles, The Who, Oasis, and Arctic Monkeys; handwritten lyrics by major songwriters; gold and platinum disc awards; rare photographs; concert posters; and extensive archive footage.
The museum also maintains significant archives of music publications, fan materials, and ephemera documenting British music culture.
Interactive exhibits use cutting-edge technology to make these collections accessible and engaging for all visitors.
British Music Timeline 1945-Present
The main exhibition chronologically explores seven decades of British music through themed galleries devoted to each decade. Each section features period artifacts, listening stations, interactive displays, and multimedia presentations examining the music, musicians, social context, and cultural impact of different eras.
The timeline shows how British musicians responded to and shaped social change.
📍 Main Galleries
Interactive Music Experiences
Dedicated spaces allow hands-on engagement with music creation through a recording studio, instrument-playing stations, dance floor, karaoke booth, and mixing desks. These experiences demonstrate musical techniques and production methods while providing entertaining, educational activities suitable for all ages and musical abilities.
📍 Interactive Zone
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.