Hidden Histories: Liverpool’s Links to the Transatlantic Slave Trade

(39 reviews)

Liverpool audio tour: Hidden Histories: Liverpool’s Links to the Transatlantic Slave Trade

This is a 1.4mi walking tour

It takes an average of 60 mins to complete.

Liverpool

The United Kingdom

$8.99

Access all 31 locations offline with the VoiceMap app

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About the Tour

Much of Liverpool’s darker history is hidden in its side streets, plazas, courtyards, churchyards and other significant locations. This walking tour takes you to several locations hidden in plain sight that reveal Liverpool’s role in the slave trade and the American Civil War.

As you make your way from the Mersey Ferry Terminal on the Pier Head to the International Slavery Museum on Albert Dock, you’ll hear stories about the historical architecture and monuments along the way, and how they link the city to the slave trade. I’ll also answer questions including:

How did Liverpool become the dominant British and European slave trade port?
Who were the men that profited the most from the slave trade?
How is a city centre fountain linked to the slave markets of Senegal?
Were slaves actually sold in Liverpool?
How important was Liverpool to the Confederate cause during the American Civil War?
Did the Civil War really end in Liverpool?
Why is the city’s Lord Nelson monument part of Liverpool’s slave trade mythology?
How does the Town Hall reflect Liverpool’s role in the slave trade?

This 60-minute walk takes in important aspects of Liverpool’s past that are barely covered on the majority of guided tours.

Tour Producer

Tommy Allen

3 tours

A published Liverpool historian and city tour guide.

A local, I was born less than a half mile from where your tour begins. After leaving school I gained a place at Liverpool University where I graduated with a degree in History (a subject I've always loved)

Workwise, my aim was to become a teacher, although I have to admit not as a schoolteacher, but as a tutor in post-18 studies. After gaining the required teaching qualifications, I went on to teach several subjects including History (of course), Sociology and English at Liverpool Community College.

Ambitious to become an author on Liverpool history, I left the teaching profession in 2015 and since, have published six books on different aspects of Liverpool's history and culture. I also planned to become a city tour guide. An ex-colleague of mine, the owner of one of the city’s tour buses, heard of this and asked me to become part of his team. However, he was disappointed when I told him that I intended to establish myself as an independent tour guide. As an independent, I believe city visitors can gain much more through the personal touch so, for example, I kept group numbers to a maximum of six. Consequently, in 2018, I began working as independent guide.

(Unfortunately, due to health issues, I've had to suspend the tours, but, if you want to, you can check the reviews on Trip Advisor. Search for Tommy's Liverpool Tours)

If you choose to download my Voicemap tour you’ll realise that I am indeed a local with a distinct Liverpool accent (It does give me away). I hope the accent provides you with an authentic story of Liverpool's history and culture..

If you want to know more about my work as a Liverpool historian, Google 'Tommy Allen Liverpool Hisory' and it will provide you with additional information about my books. Enjoy the tour. Best wishes, Tommy

Preview Location

Location 31

Merseyside Maritime Museum

You are at the Merseyside Maritime Museum and International Slavery Museum. Before I provide some information about the museums, I would like to say something about Liverpool's historic problems in confronting the city's role in the slave trade.

For decades it was barely m... You are at the Merseyside Maritime Museum and International Slavery Museum. Before I provide some information about the museums, I would like to say something about Liverpool's historic problems in confronting the city's role in the slave trade.

For decades it was barely mentioned. It was viewed as shameful. It was hidden from history. As a schoolboy in the late 1960's and early 1970's, I and my fellow pupils learned nothing of the slave trade. Today, I visit junior schools to talk about and discuss the subject with pupils. Despite the subject opening up, it does though remain problematic. The historic lack of knowledge with certain generations still exists. In 2019, for example, I was invited to talk about the slave trade on BBC Radio Merseyside. A short while later I ran into an old acquaintance who had listened to the show. He said to me, "You got that wrong Tommy. Everyone knows the hoops on the Goree were used to chain slaves" How does the so called everyone know? Because the myths persist. They are passed on from generation to generation. One reason why education is so important.

Across the country, we have witnessed statues of slave trade merchants pulled down. One was actually thrown into a river. In Liverpool, some city councillors have attempted to change the street names that originate from slave trade merchants. I would argue that these actions could possibly lead to more hidden history. Is it not best to use what is around us to learn about the slave trade. What have we done today? We have walked the streets, crossed a churchyard, visited buildings, read plaques, studied monuments and even walked above a related site, the first dock. Is it not best to reveal history, not hide it. Instead of throwing a statue into a river and hiding it, put it on display with an explanation. Do not rename streets, fix a plaque beneath which detail the origins of the names, which is what the slavery museum does. It reveals history. Inside you can see the artefacts, hear the stories and learn of the legacy of the slave trade. I would highly recommend you pay a visit.

Finally I would like to thank you for choosing my VoiceMap tour. If you have enjoyed it, I would appreciate it if you could leave a comment on the VoiceMap website.

My name's Tommy Allen. I bid you farewell and thank you once again. Read More

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Major Landmarks

Liver Building
Mersey Ferry Terminal
The Goree Adj Mann Island
Liverpool Parish Church (Our Lady and Saint Nicholas)
Bulloch House
Cotton Exchange
Castle Street
Thomas Steers Way
Royal Albert Dock Liverpool
Beetham Plaza
Derby Square

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Getting There

Route Overview

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Start location
Liverpool L3 1DP, UK
Total distance

2km
Final location
Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AQ, UK
Distance back to start location

431.87m

Directions to Starting Point

Start: Mersey Ferry Terminal on the Pier Head just a few metres from Liverpool's iconic Liver Building.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

Halfway though the walk you are on Castle Street. If you want to stop for a drink or something to eat, this is the ideal place in which to do so.
The tour ends at the Albert Dock home to the Maritime Museum and International Slavery Museum. Here you can learn much more of Liverpool's role in the slave trade.

Best time of day

From dawn to dusk: Avoid the traffic before 9.00 am and between 5.00 and 6.00 pm. There are a couple of busy roads to cross, so please use the pedestrian traffic lights

Precautions

Liverpool can be a bit wet in the spring and autumn so it might be best to bring an umbrella with you

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“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”