The Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool boasts one of the largest art collections in England. My 12 year old niece chose this as a venue for a day out in the school holidays. It had been some years since I visited previously and I had quite forgotton just how impressive it is. We had a lovely (and tiring) day and my niece returned home inspired.

The Walker Art Gallery has a neo-classical façade with four giant ionic colums flanking the entrance, two on each side. Nestled in between the columns are two impreessive staatues - Michaelangelo to the right and Raphael to the left. A flight of stone steps lead up to the entrance (a ramp is present to the right for those unable to negotiate the steps).

The reception desk also doubles as a till for the small shop. Glass display cases extending beyond the desk hold a variety of pottery and jwellery goods. Behind this are postcards (of both Liverpool and of the paintings), posters, books and the usual collection of pens, pencils and other small souvenir items.

To the back of the shop, is the café. There is ample seating room with approximately ten table each with four chairs. You order at the counter and meals are then bought to you at the table. The meals are only light consisting mainly of open sandwichs and jacket potatoes. There is also a tempting variety of cakes on offer. Drinks, both hot and cold, are of course available.

The galleries are all arranged logically into rooms designated by the century of the art it contains. The galleries are separated by double glass doors. Each room is manned by a guide available for questions . There are information leaflets available in the rooms about the paintings, their style and the artists. These are costed between 20p – 50p and are placed above an honesty box ready to receive your pennies. You don’t really need these as at the side of each painting is a little information board containing most of the information. The paintings are arranged on each wall with sculptures or exhibits scattered about in the middle of the rooms. The rooms all have benches on which you can sit to view the paintings, soak up the atmosphere or to just to rest a while.

The 18th century collection is equally impressive with works by some of the century's most talented artists including Gainsborough and George Stubbs.

The Walker also encourages and houses various exhibitions. At the time of our visit, there were two: the first by science fiction artist, Josh Kirby, responsible for a number of book covers, film posters, jigsaws and magazine illustrations. The most renowned are the book covers for Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series. Look out for the incredible and unusual portraits of Alfred Hitchcock and Edgar Allen Poe!

So that’s the galleries in a nutshell. I’d forgotten just how much there was and how tiring it is! Just before we leave however there are the two downstairs galleries to take a look in. The first, the Craft & Design gallery with walkways lined with glass display cases containing crafts, costumes and other paraphernalia. There are four computers set up with interactive information quiz-style displays. The second is the sculpture room, crammed full with life-sized figures – a little overwhelming.

Practicalities! The Walker Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays (except for Christmas and New Year). It is as I have said previously free of charge. There is a manned cloakroom to leave coats, prams and any large baggage. There are wheelchairs available for use around the galleries – it is very large! Ladies toilets are by the entrance and mens on the first floor directly above. A baby changing and feeding room is also on the first floor.

I really do recommend this venue. It is an ncredibly interesting and enjoyable day out with lots to see and do for children and adults alike. It is full accessible for all. The food is good. The only negative is that it is very tiring!