Wolstenholme Square

Jennifer
Penelope scuplture
Photo: Vicky Andrews

Wolstenholme Square once was a highly fashionable address, but, typical of much 19th century commercial development, saw its elegance swept away by a tide of industrial warehousing.

Times are changing again, though, as regeneration is closing in on all four sides, while Cuban sculptor Jorge Pardo’s monumental Penelope (2004) sculpture takes precedence. With its brightly coloured tentacles, Penelope is one of the largest sculptures in the city. Commissioned in 2006 by Liverpool Biennial, the sculpture is apparently inspired by the story of Ulysses’ wife in The Odyssey.

Penelope waited faithfully for her husband to return from the Trojan war, and rejected numerous suitors by saying she had first to finish weaving a rope before she could consider remarriage. She unravelled her day’s work each night in order to maintain her cover story. The stalks on the sculpture are a reference to both Penelope’s weaving and to the local history of rope-making in this part of Liverpool city centre.

Wolstenholme SquareLiverpoolL1 View map

Admission Charges

Free

Opening Hours

  • MondayOpen 24 hours
  • TuesdayOpen 24 hours
  • WednesdayOpen 24 hours
  • ThursdayOpen 24 hours
  • FridayOpen 24 hours
  • SaturdayOpen 24 hours
  • SundayOpen 24 hours

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on near Wolstenholme Square

An image captured from overhead of two men embracing. One is seated, and the other is kneeling.
Until
ExhibitionsLiverpool
On the other side at FACT

‘On the other side’ at FACT presents the work of three artists, thoroughly examining themes of authority, power and control.

free entry
Until
ActivityLiverpool
Old Dock Tours, Liverpool

The Old Dock tour is a treat for younger and older visitors alike, fans of Liverpool’s maritime past, and anybody curious about local history.

£8.50 with concessions

Where to go near Wolstenholme Square

Clockworks building in Liverpool
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Clockworks

Clockworks is a great spot off the beaten track to grab a cosy pint or cocktail, and you’ll often find live music happening outside the front in Wolstenholme Square. It’s worth dropping by just to see Cuban sculptor Jorge Pardo’s Penelope, one of the largest sculptures in the city.

OUTPUT gallery in Liverpool
City Centre
Gallery
OUTPUT in Liverpool

Run by Gabrielle de la Puente, OUTPUT is a small gallery in Liverpool city centre that works exclusively with creatives from or based in Merseyside.

Liverpool
Kazimier Stockroom

Run by the heads behind The Invisible Wind Factory, Kazimier Stockroom is a micro venue with maximalist ambitions.

Inside Pilgrim Restaurant
City Centre
Restaurant
Pilgrim Restaurant

Pilgrim offers a fresh approach to traditional Iberian food, promising seasonal and ethically sourced regional produce with a big focus on live-fire flavour.

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