Our Site
“You can’t imagine how strange it seemed to be journeying on thus, without any visible cause of progress other than the magical machine, with its flying white breath and rhythmical, unvarying pace, between these rocky walls, which are already clothed with moss and ferns and grasses; and when I reflected that these great masses of stone had been cut asunder to allow our passage thus far below the surface of the earth, I felt as if no fairy tale was ever half so wonderful as what I saw.” – Fanny Kemble’s description of the experience of travelling on the Liverpool and Manchester railway
In Liverpool, Metal is situated at Edge Hill Station, the oldest active passenger railway station in the world. Since renovating the unused building in 2004, we use the space to serve as an artists hub and creative space for the neighbourhood. In the city, we focus on engaging and empowering local people and the diverse communities in the surrounding areas of Edge Hill, Kensington, Wavertree and Toxteth, through art, education and social events.
Our History
The station was originally opened in 1830, and signified ‘the day the world got smaller’ with George Stephenson’s Rocket passing through the station on its way to Manchester as the first passenger train to travel at high speeds between cities. Since Metal’s reopening of Edge Hill Station in 2009 it has been home to numerous artists and cultural organisations, as well as hosting workshops and labs, film nights and exhibitions, and large scale outdoor events.
Our Programme
We are proud to facilitate projects and shape our programme to respond to our history, community and the broader environment. Our regular programme includes residencies, development labs and dinners for artists across the world and at different career stages. In our building there are often workshops and dance classes run by arts organisations based at Edge Hill Station and ESOL sessions for asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants supported by Our Liverpool and Art In Liverpool. We also host Edge Hill Station gardening and growing sessions and monthly open improvisation events.
For current events click here and for information about our current projects running from Edge Hill Station, click here.
Our Partnerships and Tenants
At Edge Hill Station, we share our building with socially engaged art organisations One September, Bring The Fire Project, Mooncup Theatre and Art in Liverpool/Independents Biennial. We also founded Shift Liverpool, an environmental sustainability network for cultural organisations in the Liverpool City Region.
Our Networks
At Metal Liverpool, we are part of the following networks:
- COoL Collective (Cultural Organisations of Liverpool)
- LARC (Liverpool Arts Regeneration Consortium)
- Liverpool Council Education Partnership
- SHIFT Liverpool
Our Access
Our building on platform 1 and 2 has step-free access from the top of Tunnel Road, down the station approach. Our buildings are located on platform 1 and there is step-free access via the Accumulator Tower. We have no accessible lift, step-free access is limited to the ground floor spaces. There is a disabled toilet available on the ground floor. If you are visiting Metal for meetings or closed workshops and have any questions about access, please get in touch.
We want everyone to feel welcome at Metal and we do not tolerate harassment or discrimination. We take holding a space seriously and if you have any feedback or would like to raise a concern, please let a member of staff know.
Use of our space
We also lease desk space and artist studios in both of our buildings. Please enquire at edgehill@metalculture.com if you are interested in renting from us.
Volunteering
Many of our projects would not be possible without the dedication and hard work of our volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering to support events and gardening at Edge Hill Station please email us at edgehill@metalculture.com You can find out more about volunteering at Metal here.
How to find us?
Metal at Edge Hill Station
Tunnel Road
Liverpool. L7 6ND
The nearest train station is of course Edge Hill Station, and you can find us on platforms 1 and 2!
Get in touch!
You can contact us via our phone number +44 [0] 151 707 2277 or by dropping us an email edgehill@metalculture.com
