Liverpool’s Piazza Fountain, known locally as the Bucket Fountain, is a kinetic water sculpture. It was made in the late 1960s by renowned Welsh fountain designer Richard Huws and is the only surviving example of his water sculptures. The fountain includes 20 hoppers, or buckets, of various sizes set at different heights which tip unexpectedly when filled. placeholder image
Liverpool’s Piazza Fountain, known locally as the Bucket Fountain, is a kinetic water sculpture. It was made in the late 1960s by renowned Welsh fountain designer Richard Huws and is the only surviving example of his water sculptures. The fountain includes 20 hoppers, or buckets, of various sizes set at different heights which tip unexpectedly when filled. | Friends of the Piazza Fountain / Facebook

9 most unusual listed buildings and structures in Liverpool, including phone box and cave

Dominic Raynor
By Dominic Raynor

Editor

Published 28th Aug 2023, 13:00 GMT
Updated 14th Oct 2023, 17:15 GMT

Many historic places and venues in the city have been granted Grade I and Grade II status by Historic England, but some are a bit weirder than others.

Historic England, the national organisation which helps care for and protect architecturally important and historically significant buildings and sites across the country, says Liverpool boasts more Georgian listed buildings than Bath.

In fact, every area of the region has more than a handful of listed buildings - ranging from the iconic Liver Building and docks, to historic pubs, such as the Philharmonic, and towering structures like Liverpool Cathedral.

But there are also a number of quirky, less well known sites listed by Historic England too. Here are some of the most unusual in Liverpool....

Known locally as the Bombed Out Church, St Luke’s was built between 1811 and 1832, It was badly damaged during the Liverpool Blitz in 1941 and remains damaged. It is now and arts and events venue, with garden bar and cafe.

5. Bombed Out Church

Known locally as the Bombed Out Church, St Luke’s was built between 1811 and 1832, It was badly damaged during the Liverpool Blitz in 1941 and remains damaged. It is now and arts and events venue, with garden bar and cafe. | dafydd_ap_w - stock.adobe.com Photo: dafydd_ap_w - stock.adobe.com

William Mackenzie’s pyramid on Rodney Street entombs a man who bet his soul and lost. The railway tycoon and gambler did so during a game of poker with a man called Mr Reeves, who turned out to be the devil. “Fear not, for I shall not come for you until you are dead and you are buried in your grave underneath the ground,” said Mr Reeves. Seeing a loophole, Mackenzie made sure he was buried above ground in his bizarre pyramid. It’s said to be Liverpool’s most haunted spot.

6. William Mackenzie’s pyramid tomb

William Mackenzie’s pyramid on Rodney Street entombs a man who bet his soul and lost. The railway tycoon and gambler did so during a game of poker with a man called Mr Reeves, who turned out to be the devil. “Fear not, for I shall not come for you until you are dead and you are buried in your grave underneath the ground,” said Mr Reeves. Seeing a loophole, Mackenzie made sure he was buried above ground in his bizarre pyramid. It’s said to be Liverpool’s most haunted spot. | LTV Photo: Emily Bonner

Old Nick’s Cave is probably the most well known of Sefton Park’s grottos, which were popular in the Victorian era. It was probably built by Edouard André (a Parisian) and Lewis Hornblower in 1870. It is constructed of large rough blocks of stone and has three openings to a chamber with a central pier and steps up to an opening in the roof.

7. Old Nick’s Cave

Old Nick’s Cave is probably the most well known of Sefton Park’s grottos, which were popular in the Victorian era. It was probably built by Edouard André (a Parisian) and Lewis Hornblower in 1870. It is constructed of large rough blocks of stone and has three openings to a chamber with a central pier and steps up to an opening in the roof. | Image: Rodhullandemu/Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: Rodhullandemu/Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0

The Grade II listed boundary stone for the ancient townships of Allerton is next to a wall to the north St Matthew & St James church, Rose Lane, Mossley Hill. The lettering is somewhat faded, but to the left of the vertical line is a “W” (for Wavertree) and to the right a “G” (for Garston).

8. Township boundary stone

The Grade II listed boundary stone for the ancient townships of Allerton is next to a wall to the north St Matthew & St James church, Rose Lane, Mossley Hill. The lettering is somewhat faded, but to the left of the vertical line is a “W” (for Wavertree) and to the right a “G” (for Garston). | Rodhullandemu/Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: Rodhullandemu/Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0

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