A new Heritage Trail has launched at Liverpool ONE as part of its latest offering to visitors.
The Heritage Trail at Liverpool ONE takes visitors on a step back in time, revealing untold stories and fascinating pieces of history about the area’s past – together with a selection of anecdotes which may surprise!
The free self-guided audio Heritage Trail is part of Liverpool ONE’s commitment to its position as custodian of this important historical part of the city.
The fully accessible Heritage Trail is a unique site-specific opportunity to connect the past to the present and to explore the area’s central role in Liverpool’s evolution over the past 300 years.
It encompasses 16 locations spread across the 42-acre site, each marked by a special Heritage Trail sign.
The route starts by the pools on Thomas Steers Way close to the Hilton Hotel and ends at Chavasse Park.
Extensive research, undertaken by a team of historical experts and community groups, has taken place over a period of several months, to bring the Trail to life.
Donna Howitt, Place Strategy Director at Liverpool ONE, said:
“There is so much history behind our estate which is either unknown, or has never really been told. We have long enjoyed our collaboration with National Museums Liverpool showcasing the world’s first wet dock. The Heritage Trail represents the next step of the journey making the city’s heritage accessible to everyone.
“We pride ourselves on being far more than a retail destination and have been committed to the development of a heritage trail to bring the fascinating history of the city centre to life while strengthening connections with our neighbours including the Bluecoat and Epstein Theatre.
“We hope this is something which will be enjoyed by both the people of Liverpool and visitors, adding into the always evolving attractions in Liverpool.
The Trail, which takes between one hour and 90 minutes to complete, gives visitors the chance to discover some of the inspiring people, important places and key events which together have helped shape the last three centuries of Liverpool’s history from being a small port on the Lancashire coast to one of the world’s great maritime mercantile cities.
The Trail kickstarts with the story behind the world’s first commercial enclosed wet dock where visitors can hear more about how it revolutionised Liverpool’s fortunes and invites visitors to learn about the businesses which grew up around it.
It considers the role Liverpool played in the Transatlantic trade in enslaved African people as well as those who opposed slavery. It also looks at some of the landmark buildings erected through Victorian philanthropy, highlights the port’s history of immigration, and explains how this area was devastated by Second World War bombing.
The Trail will spark the curiosity by introducing stories of confectioners and sugar barons, merchant seamen and merchant princes, anatomists and artists, balloonists and businesswomen and offers an insight into what life was like for ordinary people who lived and worked here and tap into the vast cultural offer of our city.
And finally, it brings the tale of this remarkable area of the city up to date, explaining how Liverpool ONE was developed and how it has become one of the most popular shopping and leisure destinations in Europe.
Further details about The Heritage Trail at Liverpool ONE and direct links to download the Liverpool ONE MyONE app to follow the trail are available from: www.liverpool-one.com/heritage-trail
Trail leaflets are also available from the Visitor Centre at Liverpool ONE in Wall Street.
