Liverpool Slavery Walking Tour – Commercial Side

Discover Liverpool’s Commercial Side of the Slave Trade

The Liverpool Slavery Walking Tour – Commercial Side offers a focused look at the city’s historical role in the transatlantic slave trade, priced at $38.29 per person. This 2-hour guided experience takes visitors through Liverpool’s original seven streets, revealing where slave trading activities, merchant wealth, and related commerce took place. The tour is designed for groups of up to 12 people, ensuring an intimate and engaging exploration led by knowledgeable guides.

What makes this tour especially compelling is its detailed focus on Liverpool’s extensive involvement in the slave trade, including visits to historic sites where slaves were sold, traded, and where the business was conducted. It also connects this dark chapter to Liverpool’s broader economic development, highlighting the city’s wealth generated through this trade. The tour is ideal for history enthusiasts, students, or anyone interested in uncovering a lesser-known but crucial part of Liverpool’s past.

While the tour offers rich insights, it’s worth noting that it involves walking through historic streets and sites, some of which are narrow or cobbled. The booking requires a minimum of 2 people, and most participants book about 12 days in advance. At $38.29, it provides a detailed and accessible exploration of Liverpool’s complex history linked to slavery.

Key Points

• Focused on Liverpool’s role in the transatlantic slave trade and commercial development
• Includes visits to historic streets, buildings, and landmarks associated with slavery and wealth
• Guides explain the connection between slavery, banking, and trade in Liverpool’s history
• Tour lasts approximately 2 hours with 14 stops, many involving historical buildings and docks
• Suitable for small groups (up to 12 people), ensuring personalized insight
• Free optional visit to the International Slavery Museum at the end of the tour

Starting at the Liver Building with Historic Context

The tour begins at Liver Building, Pier Head, a symbolic location in Liverpool’s waterfront. From here, the guide leads visitors to some of the most significant sites associated with Liverpool’s transatlantic trade. The initial stop at Our Lady and Saint Nicholas Church is particularly notable, as it was frequented by slave traders who worshipped there and were buried in the churchyard.

This starting point sets the tone for an experience that blends religion, wealth, and commerce, highlighting the multifaceted history of the city. The guide shares details about the lives of early slave traders, providing context for the buildings and streets that follow.

Visiting the Hargreaves Building and William Brown’s Legacy

Next, visitors walk to the Hargreaves Building, where they learn about William Brown, the founder of the Bank of Liverpool and Brown & Shipley Merchant Bankers. This stop emphasizes how Liverpool’s wealth was built on the back of cotton and slave trade profits, with the city developing a banking sector that supported transatlantic commerce.

The free admission to this site contrasts with others that include paid tickets, making it an accessible part of the tour. The guide explains how figures like William Brown contributed to Liverpool’s financial dominance during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Role of Rumford Place and the American Civil War

The tour proceeds to Rumford Place, which hosted the Confederate Embassy of the American Civil War. Here, the guide details Liverpool’s involvement in the supply chain for the Confederate armies, including the network of spies set up by Bulloch and how ships were used to transport weapons and supplies.

This stop demonstrates Liverpool’s wider geopolitical connections during the 19th century, showing how the city extended its influence beyond just trade with Africa and America. The site offers insight into wartime alliances and smuggling networks that supported Confederate interests.

The Cotton Exchange and the Wealth from Cotton Trading

The Cotton Exchange Building stands as a testament to Liverpool’s dominance in cotton trading, with the “Liverpool Rules” still in existence today. The guide discusses how the cotton trade, fueled by slave-produced cotton from America, enriched merchants and helped create the city’s iconic architecture.

This stop underscores the economic linkages between the slave trade and later industries, illustrating how Liverpool’s wealth was intertwined with enslaved labor and cotton sourcing.

The Old “Exchange” and the Nelson Monument

On Exchange Flags, visitors see the historic trading exchange where slaves and goods were bought and sold. The Nelson Monument on the square adds a layer of historical symbolism, with the guide explaining its significance.

This site encapsulates the core of Liverpool’s commercial activity during the slave trade era while also offering a chance to reflect on the city’s complex legacy. The tour highlights how the trading practices of that time have shaped Liverpool’s history.

Sir Alfred Lewis Jones and Maritime Wealth

The Memorial to Sir Alfred Lewis Jones introduces the figure behind the Elder Dempster Shipping Line, which played a major role in Liverpool’s shipping industry. The guide explains how Jones amassed his wealth and funded philanthropic projects like the School of Tropical Medicine.

This stop links the trade routes and shipping infrastructure with the city’s ongoing development, emphasizing Liverpool’s maritime dominance and economic growth spurred by its involvement in global trade networks.

The Water Street Banking Sector and Architectural Wealth

Next, the tour explores Liverpool Water Street, where banking and business thrived in the 18th and 19th centuries. Notable buildings like Martins Bank and the old Bank of Liverpool showcase the city’s prosperity, largely rooted in trade profits linked to slavery.

While the visit is external and free of charge, the guide’s commentary helps visitors understand how financial institutions capitalized on the proceeds of slavery and international trade to finance Liverpool’s growth.

Exploring Old Liverpool Streets and Slave Trader Venues

The walk along Dale Street reveals some of Liverpool’s 18th-century streets that survived Victorian changes. Visitors are shown a public house that existed in 1726, possibly frequented by early slave traders, giving a tangible connection to the past.

Narrow alleyways and historic facades illustrate the city’s layered history, with the guide pointing out subtle clues to Liverpool’s mercantile past. The walk-through of old passageways brings to life the city’s pre-Victorian architecture.

The Significance of Castle Street and the Bank of England

On Castle Street, the focus is on buildings connected to merchants and slavery, including the site of the first Bank of England branch outside London. Visitors learn how these financial institutions supported the trade and the wealth of Liverpool’s merchant class.

The Queen Victoria Monument nearby marks the site of Liverpool Castle, demolished in 1726, and relates to the city’s evolving civic infrastructure. These sites emphasize Liverpool’s transition from colonial port to financial hub.

Liverpool Town Hall and the Frieze of African People

The Liverpool Town Hall is notable for its architecture and the frieze depicting African people, which visually links Liverpool’s civic identity with its history of slavery. The building itself was funded to serve as the city’s administrative heart.

This stop offers a moment for reflection on the societal implications of Liverpool’s past, combining civic pride with acknowledgment of its dark history.

The Graving Docks and Ship Refitting

The tour visits Liverpool’s original Graving Docks, where ships returning from the slave voyages were repaired and refitted. These mid-1700s docks are still visible today and highlight the city’s deep maritime roots.

Understanding how ships were maintained after their long journeys underscores Liverpool’s central role in the triangle of transatlantic slavery, trade, and shipping infrastructure. The guide explains how ships’ health was vital to sustaining the trade.

Docks Along Salthouse and Canning Docks

Passing Salthouse Dock and Canning Docks, the tour shows how these ports expanded to accommodate increasing trade with America. These docks were built with stones from Liverpool Castle, tying the city’s medieval history to its maritime expansion.

Standing on the cobbled dock area, visitors walk over surfaces once used by slave traders and merchants, making the connection between past commerce and present-day Liverpool.

The Old Liverpool Dock and Thomas Steers

At Thomas Steers Way, the site of Liverpool’s original Old Dock (built in 1715), the tour emphasizes how this innovation helped Liverpool become a major port. The observation window offers glimpses of the remaining dock, with the option for a guided tour of the actual site.

This stop illustrates how the development of the dock infrastructure fueled the city’s African and transatlantic trade, creating immense wealth for Liverpool.

Victorian Backstreets and Goretree Island Sculpture

The final stops include James Street, where Victorian architecture and a modern sculpture evoke the history of slave houses on Goree Island. The sculpture subtly references the city’s connection to the Atlantic slave trade through art and architecture.

Walking through these back streets, visitors see a blend of old and new, with the guide pointing out hidden stories and visual symbols of slavery’s legacy in Liverpool.

End at Custom House Pl, with Optional Museum Visit

The tour concludes at 2 Custom House Place near the historic Old Dock site. Visitors have the option to visit the International Slavery Museum housed within the Merseyside Maritime Museum nearby, which can be accessed free of charge.

This ending provides an opportunity for further reflection and deeper learning about Liverpool’s role in slavery, complementing the tour’s focus.

Practical Details and Booking Information

The tour is available for most travelers and is suitable for those able to walk for approximately 2 hours, with some cobbled streets involved. The meeting point at the Liver Building makes it easy to access via public transport. The maximum group size of 12 ensures a personalized experience led by experienced guides like Edward, Tommy, or Luke.

Booking is typically made around 12 days in advance, and full refund options are available if canceled more than 24 hours ahead. The tour is a mobile ticket, making it easy to join on the day.

Liverpool’s Darker Histories and Educational Value

While the tour openly discusses Liverpool’s economic prosperity built on slavery, it also recognizes the importance of understanding this legacy of exploitation. The stops at churches, docks, and civic buildings reveal how deeply slavery influenced the city’s development.

Guides are praised for their knowledge and storytelling, effectively tying together trade, finance, and maritime history with the darker aspects of the city’s past. The optional visit to the International Slavery Museum offers a space for further reflection.

Concluding Thoughts on the Slavery Commercial Side Tour

The Liverpool Slavery Walking Tour – Commercial Side provides a clear, well-organized, and insightful exploration of how Liverpool’s wealth, architecture, and civic identity are intertwined with its history of slavery and trade. Its focused stops and knowledgeable guides make it a rewarding experience for those interested in a comprehensive yet accessible historical overview.

This tour caters especially to history buffs, students, or curious visitors eager to uncover the lesser-known parts of Liverpool’s past. The 2-hour duration and small group size ensure an engaging, personal experience.

While the tour covers many key sites, some may find the walking and cobbled streets physically demanding. Overall, it’s a valuable addition for anyone wishing to understand Liverpool beyond the Beatles and maritime fame, as it reveals the city’s complex and often uncomfortable history.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Liverpool Slavery Walking Tour?
The tour lasts approximately 2 hours and covers multiple historic sites in Liverpool.

What is the price of this tour?
The tour costs $38.29 per person, making it an accessible option for a detailed historical walk.

Where does the tour start and end?
It begins at the Liver Building on Pier Head and ends at 2 Custom House Place near the Old Dock.

Are tickets available in advance?
Yes, most bookings are made about 12 days in advance, and tickets are mobile for convenience.

Is there an option to visit the museum at the end?
Yes, visitors can choose to visit the International Slavery Museum housed within the Merseyside Maritime Museum, free of charge.

What are the main sites visited during the tour?
Major stops include Our Lady and Saint Nicholas Church, Hargreaves Building, Rumford Place, Cotton Exchange, Exchange Flags, Liverpool Water Street, Dale Street, Castle Street, Liverpool Town Hall, Graving Docks, and Salthouse & Canning Docks.

Is the tour suitable for all physical abilities?
Participants should be comfortable walking for about two hours over historic streets, some of which are cobbled.

Can I cancel if I change my mind?
Yes, full refunds are available if canceled more than 24 hours before the scheduled start.

Who guides the tour?
The tour is led by knowledgeable guides like Edward, Tommy, or Luke, known for their expertise and engaging storytelling.

What sets this tour apart from other Liverpool experiences?
Its specific focus on Liverpool’s involvement in the slave trade, combined with visits to historic sites and engaging storytelling, offers a unique perspective beyond typical city tours.