The Hardmans’ House in Liverpool is the preserved home and photographic studio of Edward Chambré Hardman and his wife, Margaret. A guided tour takes you through rooms presented as they were during the 1950s, offering a close look at the couple’s work and daily life.
- Location: 59 Rodney Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 9ER
- Visit format: Pre-booked guided tour
- Typical opening pattern: Fridays and the last Saturday of the month, March to September
- Admission: Free for National Trust members aged 5 and over; £10.00 for non-member adults aged 18 and over
The story of The Hardmans’ House
The Hardmans’ House tells the story of a Liverpool photography business run from a Georgian terraced home. Edward Chambré Hardman and Margaret lived and worked here for 40 years; Margaret managed the business and was also a photographer.
The house is presented as it was during the 1950s, when the photographic business was at its height. The National Trust cares for the house and the Edward Chambré Hardman photographic collection, which contains well over 140,000 prints and negatives dating from the 1920s to the 1970s. The collection is being digitised.
What can you see inside?
The tour includes the photographic studio, business rooms, living quarters and darkroom, with photographs and photographic equipment on display. The living quarters occupy three small rooms at the back of the first floor.
Look out for the Barnston Darkroom on the top floor, where the Hardmans developed their own photographs. The range of working and domestic rooms helps put the photography in context: this was both a family home and a place of business.
How do you get to The Hardmans’ House from Aachen Hotel?
The house is about a six-minute walk from Aachen Hotel. Its address is Rodney Street, while the visitor entrance is around the back on Pilgrim Street; if you’re walking, follow signs to 59 Rodney Street and look for the entrance near the Anglican Cathedral.
Liverpool Lime Street and Liverpool Central stations are each approximately half a mile from the house. There is no dedicated car park: parking options include limited pay-and-display spaces on Pilgrim Street and a larger car park at the nearby Anglican Cathedral, approximately 0.2 miles away.
For other ways to get around the city, see this guide to Liverpool public transport. You can also pair the visit with the route in a one-day Liverpool itinerary.
Opening arrangements and access
The National Trust describes visits as guided-tour-only and recommends booking in advance. The house typically opens every Friday and the last Saturday of the month from March to September. Tours start at the ticket office on Pilgrim Street, at the rear of the house.
National Trust members aged 5 and over can visit free with a membership card; non-member adult admission, for ages 18 and over, is £10.00. The ground floor has a level entrance and is fully wheelchair accessible, with an accessible toilet at reception.
Upper floors are reached by a single staircase with a handrail and are not wheelchair accessible. The visitor toilet is only available at reception, and assistance dogs are the listed dog provision. Seats are available in some rooms; ask your guide where to find them.
Before you go: Opening dates and ticket arrangements can change, so check the official site before you go. The National Trust is the operator.
FAQs
Do you need to book a tour?
Yes. Visits are by pre-booked guided tour, and the National Trust recommends booking in advance.
Where is the visitor entrance?
It is on Pilgrim Street at the back of the Rodney Street house, near the Anglican Cathedral.
Is The Hardmans’ House wheelchair accessible?
The ground floor is wheelchair accessible, but the upper floors are reached by a staircase and are not accessible by wheelchair.
When does the house usually open?
The usual pattern is Fridays and the last Saturday of the month between March and September. Check the National Trust’s official site for current opening and booking information.