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The Hardmans' House
A 1950s time capsule of Liverpool life and creativity, the home and photographic studio of the Edward Chambré and Margaret Hardman
59 Rodney Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 9ER
Important notice
Thank you for your support this year. The Hardmans’ House is now closed until May 2025. We look forward to welcoming you back next year.
Opening times for 2 April 2025
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Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £11.00 £10.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £5.50 £5.00 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £27.50 £25.00 1 adult, 2 children £16.50 £15.00 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Assistance dogs only
- Car park
No dedicated car-parking spaces, but there is limited pay-and-display parking on Pilgrim Street (where the ticket office entrance is located) as well as a larger car park at the nearby Anglican Cathedral (approximately 0.2 miles away)
- Guided tour
Entry is by guided tour only
- Toilet
Toilet available at Reception and on the first floor
Level entrance via Pilgrim Street. Ground floor fully wheelchair accessible. Stairs to upper floors and cellar. Accessible toilet at reception.
- Accessible toilet
Accessible toilet located at Reception
- Braille (guide or menu)
- Designated parking
Mobility parking on Pilgrim Street as well as the nearby Anglican Cathedral
- Drop-off point
Visitors can be dropped off on the opposite side of the road outside the house
- Induction loop
- Large print (guide or menu)
- Seating available
There are seats in some of the rooms for visitor use, please ask a guide where these are located
- Steps/uneven terrain
There are four floors in the house which are accessible via a single staircase with a handrail. Please note only the ground floor is accessible for wheelchairs
- Virtual tour
- By road
Parking: There's no onsite parking at the Hardmans' House but you can find nearby parking at the Anglican Cathedral and Slater Street NCP, as well as on-street pay & display parking in the surrounding roads. Please make your way from there to our ticket office on Pilgrim Street.
- On foot
Follow fingerposts to '59 Rodney Street'. Our visitor entrance is on Pilgrim Street (at the back of Rodney Street), near the Anglican Cathedral.
- By train
The Hardmans' House is approx ½ mile from Liverpool Lime Street and Liverpool Central stations. Follow the fingerpost signs towards the Anglican Cathedral and the Georgian Quarter towards our ticket office on Pilgrim Street.
- By bus
Frequent services from surrounding areas. Please make your way from the bus stop to our ticket office on Pilgrim Street.
- Cycling
Highlights
Studio
Set foot in this hallowed space, where Hardmans customers would have sat (or stood) for their photographs, whether it was for a glamorous headshot or a treasured family photo.
Living Quarters
The Hardmans lived in just three small rooms within the house at the back of the first floor. Delve into this time capsule, including the kitchen, perfectly preserved in all its 1950s glory.
The Barnston Darkroom
The Barnston Darkroom is located on the top floor of the house and was used exclusively by the Hardmans as their own personal darkroom.
On Commission Exhibition
Delve into Edward Hardman's work away from his studio in the On Commission exhibition, which focuses on his commercial photography in Liverpool, Lancashire, Wales and further afield.
Hardmans' Archive
The Edward Chambré Hardman photographic collection, which contains well over 140,000 photographic prints and negatives dating from the 1920s to 1970s, is in the process of being digitised to provide access to all.
Things to see and do
Article
Showcasing Liverpool's History in the National Trust's New Photography Book
The National Trust’s "100 Photographs from the Collections of the National Trust" features Edward Chambré Hardman and Margaret's work, showcasing their photography and insights into Liverpool's past, curated by Anna Sparham.
Hidden Treasures of the National Trust
Follow the journey of conservation at the places in our care in Hidden Treasures of the National Trust, broadcast on the BBC. The Hardmans' House, along with the Beatles' Childhood Homes and Dudmaston Hall appear in Episode 3.
Article
'On Commission' Exhibition
Learn more about the On Commission exhibition at the Hardmans' House, which showcases the commercial photography undertaken by E. Chambré Hardman.
Article
Things to see and do at the Hardmans’ House
Discover what life was like for the Hardmans in the 1950s, with the house presented as it was during the height of this talented couple’s business. As seen on BBC Two series Hidden Treasures of the National Trust.
Shopping
Article
Shopping at the Hardmans’ House
Adorn your walls with the Hardmans' photographs by purchasing a quality print or browse our selection of Hardman-inspired gifts and souvenirs at Reception while you wait for your tour to begin.
Top trails
Trail
Hardman cathedrals walk
A circular walk in central Liverpool taking in the places that inspired Edward Chambré Hardman near Rodney Street, including the two cathedrals.
Trail
Hardman city centre walk
A circular route, starting at Liverpool Lime Street Station, taking in some of the iconic buildings and views that Edward Chambré Hardman photographed.
Trail
Hardman Pier Head walk
Discover some of the iconic buildings and views that Edward Chambré Hardman captured with many of his photographs on a circular walk.
Upcoming events
Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place
About The Hardmans' House
Take a guided tour of the Hardmans' House (pre-booking recommended) and explore the contrasting sides of this building: the neat, professional, spacious business rooms and the cluttered, cramped living quarters of the renowned portrait photographer Edward Chambré Hardman and his wife Margaret Hardman. They lived and worked here for 40 years, so it's a time capsule waiting to be explored. Some of their huge collection of photographs is on display in the house, along with the equipment they used to take and develop the iconic images.
History
Article
History of the Hardmans’ House
Discover the people behind the Hardmans’ House photographic studio and the thousands of prints and negatives they left behind.
Art and collections
Protecting the E. Chambré Hardman photographic collection
Discover our work to catalogue, conserve and share the E. Chambré Hardman photographic collection, making it more accessible for everyone to explore and enjoy.
Article
Caring for the Hardmans’ House collection
Find out about the important conservation work that takes place behind closed doors every winter to ensure the Hardmans’ collection can continue to stand the test of time.
Latest news
News
Conservation project saves E. Chambré Hardman photograph collection
A significant conservation project by the National Trust has preserved around 16,000 photographic prints and negatives by renowned Liverpool photographer Edward Chambré Hardman and his wife Margaret, most of which have been hidden from public view for decades.
Support us
Article
Volunteer opportunities at the Hardmans' House
Whether you're crafty, interested in how we care for the house, or passionate about local Liverpool history, find out how you can get involved by volunteering at the Hardmans’ House.