A First-Time Visitor’s Guide to Hatton Garden, London

Hatton Garden emerges as a jewel district at the London city center that offers visitors an exceptional journey through jewelry history. People who want to explore gems and watch crafts or enjoy London’s stylish shopping district should visit Hatton Garden.

This guide shows new visitors how to find their way around Hatton Garden and experience its special character while becoming familiar with every part of their trip.

A Historical Gem of the Capital

Hatton Garden rose to fame during the 19th century by becoming London’s main diamond and jewelry trading hub after an unbroken medieval history. The historic character of Hatton Garden remains intact even with the presence of contemporary shopping and luxury showrooms.

Many independent shops and top diamond houses appear side by side in this district. After decades of experience, the skilled craftsmen here make Hatton Garden unique when compared to other luxury shopping destinations.

Planning Your Visit: When and How to Go

Visiting Hatton Garden during business weekdays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm yields the best experience. The shopping district operates on Monday through Friday but most shops remain closed on both Saturday and Sunday so choose another day. You can easily reach the area from all of London thanks to its proximity to Farringdon and Chancery Lane tube stops.

You should schedule meetings with specific jewellers beforehand when traveling to buy an engagement ring. You can expect undivided attention and talk about special requirements, training features, and spending with an advisor in an informal and private room.

What to Expect from the Shopping Experience

People shop in Hatton Garden because they can find high-quality jewelry at good prices, plus many choice ring styles. You will discover many choices of rings in both modern and vintage designs. Customers strongly favor the 5 carat engagement ring oval because its design perfectly complements the finger while showing off its beautiful shine.

You can find these rings in public showrooms run by experts who will answer all your questions about selecting ideal diamonds and metals plus settings. Despite the premium experience the shop shows the essentials of fine craftsmanship and customer skill development.

Tips for First-Time Buyers

Do Your Homework – Make sure you understand diamond quality criteria four Cs which include Cut Clarity Color and Carat Weight before visiting a store. You will know how to evaluate diamonds and create better decisions when you buy jewelry.
Set a Realistic Budget – Having a specific budget you want to spend on a diamond helps you concentrate on matching it with the stylish options Hatton Garden offers. You should expect great fluctuations in costs when purchasing a 5 carat engagement ring oval, depending on which diamond specifications and setting you select.
Ask About Certification – Store owners with integrity show authorized GIA (Gemological Institute of America) certificates. You can trust the diamond is of high quality and genuine because of these credentials.
Explore Custom Design – Stores let you design unique jewelry through their custom creation services. A skilled Hatton Garden artisan will transform your ideas, no matter if you have an old family piece to restore or design something new.

Beyond Jewelry: What Else to Do in Hatton Garden

Besides the impressive jewelry display, Hatton Garden provides various other attractions. Multiple café bars and wine stores await customers in the neighboring Clerkenwell neighborhood, which serves as an excellent place for relaxation.

History fans should head to the Museum of the Order of St. John followed by a short walk to St Etheldreda’s Church which is one of London’s oldest Catholic churches built in the 13th century.

Making the Most of Your Experience

Your Hatton Garden adventure includes more than shopping since it lets you discover where ancient customs connect with modern design, and every purchase reveals unique tales. Your visit to this destination will stay special no matter what ends up in your hands.

Most visitors enjoy the special treatment they receive from local jewelers because it transforms the ordinary shopping experience into an unforgettable adventure. The education about cuts, plus practical work with a 5 carat engagement ring oval creates a special experience that matches the value of the ring.

Photo credit:
Hatton Garden by Arpingstone, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

How Cultures Are Shaped By Cuisine

Food is more than just a reflection of a region’s ingredients; it is a deep-rooted expression of its values, history, and social norms. The relationship between culture and cuisine is intertwined, with each influencing the other across generations. This bond shapes identity, forms social connections, and showcases the evolution of communities. Looking at how cultures are shaped by cuisine allows us to understand the ways in which food goes beyond sustenance, becoming an integral part of cultural expression and identity.

Cuisine as Cultural Identity

Cuisine often serves as a marker of cultural identity. Dishes and cooking methods unique to certain regions become symbols of heritage. For instance, Mexican cuisine is known for its use of corn, beans, and chili peppers, ingredients that date back to the ancient Aztecs and Mayans. Traditional Mexican dishes such as tamales and mole are not merely recipes; they are representations of indigenous cultural history and ritual. For many, traditional recipes passed down through generations become a way to retain a sense of identity in a rapidly globalizing world. People often feel a profound connection to their cultural origins through the foods that are unique to their heritage, allowing them to maintain an aspect of their cultural identity wherever they go.

Social and Communal Significance of Food

In many cultures, meals are essential social rituals, bringing people together to celebrate, mourn, or simply connect. For example, in Italy, the tradition of sharing a family meal around the table is a deeply cherished custom, reinforcing the importance of family bonds. In Japan, the tea ceremony, known as chanoyu, is more than just a method of preparing tea—it is a spiritual and social practice that fosters mindfulness and respect. Similarly, festivals such as the Chinese Lunar New Year or American Thanksgiving are centered around traditional foods, uniting families and communities in shared customs. Through these gatherings, cuisine becomes a means of fostering social harmony and transmitting cultural values.

Cuisine as a Reflection of History

Many national dishes reflect a nation’s history, including its migrations, conquests, and trade routes. Indian cuisine, for instance, is a blend of indigenous spices, Persian influences, and British colonial adaptations. Chai tea, now a symbol of Indian culture, became widely consumed in the 20th century due to British efforts to promote tea plantations. Likewise, Middle Eastern cuisine is shaped by the spice trade, introducing ingredients like saffron and cinnamon. Each new influence adapted by local cuisine becomes part of a shared historical narrative, weaving the past into the present through flavors and techniques.

Globalization and the Evolution of Cuisine

The boundaries of cuisine are increasingly blurred. Globalization allows dishes and ingredients from different cultures to mingle and merge, creating new culinary experiences. While fusion cuisines demonstrate cultural adaptation, they also pose challenges for preserving traditional recipes. Yet, this blending of culinary traditions can introduce people to new flavors and encourage cross-cultural appreciation and understanding, broadening cultural horizons. Globalization has also made it easier to enjoy different cuisines, thanks to the popularity of restaurants. Urban Tandoor restaurant in Bristol serves traditional Indian food that is loved by lots of people.

The Influence of Geography and Environment on Cuisine

The natural environment and available resources have a significant impact on the cuisine of a culture. In Mediterranean regions, an abundance of olives, grapes, and fresh vegetables has led to a cuisine that is centered around olive oil, wine, and seasonal produce. Likewise, in Japan, an island nation, seafood plays a central role in diet and cuisine, with sushi becoming a signature dish celebrated worldwide. Such connections to local agriculture and geography foster a cultural respect for sustainability and traditional farming practices, values that often transcend food to influence broader cultural priorities.

Choosing the Best Chauffeur Service for London Dining Experiences

London is famous for its amazing food places. You can find everything from fancy Michelin-starred restaurants to cozy little bistros hidden in nice parts of town. If you want to make your dining experience special in this big city, picking the right chauffeur service can make a big difference. Here’s a complete guide to help you pick the best chauffeur service for your dining trips in London. We’ll focus on Imperial Ride, a luxury chauffeur service that’s known for providing top-notch service in London.

Why Choose a Chauffeur Service for Dining Out in London?

Getting around London can be tricky, especially during busy dining times or events. An event chauffeur service ensures you get to your chosen restaurant on time and in comfort, avoiding parking problems and the stress of navigating unfamiliar streets. Plus, it lets you enjoy fine wines or cocktails without worrying about driving home safely.

Key Considerations When Selecting a Chauffeur Service

Reputation and Reliability: Opt for a chauffeur service with a solid reputation for reliability and punctuality. Imperial Ride stands out in London for its commitment to professionalism and customer satisfaction, offering a fleet of luxury vehicles driven by experienced chauffeurs.
Range of Services: Consider your specific needs—whether it’s a one-way trip to a restaurant, an evening of multiple dining stops, or a return journey. Imperial Ride offers tailored services that can accommodate various itineraries, ensuring flexibility to suit your plans.
Vehicle Selection: The choice of vehicle can enhance your dining experience. From sleek sedans to spacious SUVs, Imperial Ride provides a range of meticulously maintained vehicles equipped with amenities designed for comfort and luxury.
Professionalism of Chauffeurs: The demeanor and professionalism of chauffeurs can significantly influence your overall experience. Imperial Ride’s chauffeurs are trained to deliver courteous and discreet service, ensuring a seamless journey from doorstep to dining destination.
Safety and Security: Prioritize a chauffeur service that prioritizes safety with well-maintained vehicles and background-checked chauffeurs. Imperial Ride adheres to rigorous safety standards, ensuring a secure and comfortable ride for every client.
Customization and Personalization: Whether you require special requests like preferred routes or additional amenities, Imperial Ride offers personalized services to meet your specific preferences, ensuring a bespoke experience tailored to your needs.

Imperial Ride: Luxury Chauffeur Service Provider in London

Imperial Ride distinguishes itself as a premier luxury chauffeur service in London, catering to discerning clients seeking impeccable service and sophisticated transportation solutions. With a focus on reliability, professionalism, and luxury, Imperial Ride has earned a reputation as a preferred choice for dining out experiences in London’s dynamic culinary landscape.

Seamless Booking Process

The ease of booking and scheduling your chauffeur service can significantly impact your overall experience. Imperial Ride provides a user-friendly booking platform that allows you to reserve your luxury vehicle effortlessly. Whether booking online, via their mobile app, or through their dedicated customer service team, you can expect a streamlined process from reservation to arrival.

Premium Amenities and Comfort

The journey to a luxurious dining experience starts with Imperial Ride’s fleet, which features top amenities like leather interiors, climate control, and entertainment systems. These ensure you enjoy maximum comfort during your ride. Whether you want to unwind with soothing music or catch up on work on your way to dinner, their vehicles are designed to provide convenience and luxury tailored to your preferences.

Final Words

Choosing the best chauffeur service for dining out in London involves careful consideration of factors such as reputation, reliability, vehicle selection, and customer service. By selecting a reputable provider like Imperial Ride, you can enhance your dining experience with seamless transportation and luxurious comfort, ensuring an unforgettable evening of culinary delights in one of the world’s most vibrant cities.

Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner, a celebratory meal with friends, or a business dining experience, Imperial Ride offers the expertise and elegance to complement your London dining adventure perfectly.

Photo credit: Bustronomeworld, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Discover 15 Stunning Instagrammable Spots in Manchester

Manchester’s vibrant and diverse character shines through its most Instagrammable locations. This city seamlessly blends its rich heritage as a key player in the Industrial Revolution with a contemporary flair that makes it one of the UK’s most dynamic cultural hubs.

From iconic sports venues to historic landmarks, there are countless spots perfect for your Instagram feed. Enjoy the city’s bustling shopping districts, eclectic dining options, and renowned nightlife in between capturing these picturesque scenes. Don’t miss out on the charming canals that add a unique touch to the urban landscape. These stunning photos are sure to impress and grow your Instagram followers and elevate your feed.

Instagrammable Spots in Manchester

If you’re always on the lookout for perfect photo ops when visiting a new city, Manchester has plenty to offer. Here are some of the most photogenic spots to explore.

Manchester Museum: A Journey Through Time

Located opposite The University of Manchester, the Manchester Museum rivals London’s British Museum with its extensive collection of over 4.5 million items. From dinosaur skeletons to Ancient Egyptian mummies, the exhibits provide endless opportunities for striking photos. The vivarium, home to endangered frog species, is another fascinating feature. Best of all, entry is free, allowing you to take your time exploring.

Manchester Cathedral: A Historical Gem

Built in 1215, Manchester Cathedral boasts some of the finest medieval woodwork in Northern England. Admission is free, and the cathedral regularly hosts classical music concerts that include refreshments. The Hanging Ditch Bridge, dating back to the 14th century, is a must-see. Free guided tours are available on weekdays at 11 am and 2 pm, and on Saturdays at 2 pm.

Manchester Town Hall: Iconic Architecture

Manchester Town Hall, completed in 1877, is known for its striking neo-gothic architecture. The Great Hall, adorned with the Manchester Murals by Ford Madox Brown, is particularly Instagram-worthy. Don’t forget to capture the statues of historical figures like Roman General Agricola.

Beetham Tower: Sky-High Views

Soaring 554 feet above Manchester, Beetham Tower offers stunning cityscapes from the Hilton’s bar on the upper floors. This 47-story skyscraper, completed in 2006, provides a modern contrast to Manchester’s historic skyline.

The Monastery: Architectural Masterpiece

The neo-Gothic Gorton Monastery, a masterpiece by architect EW Pugin, is one of the world’s most architecturally significant landmarks. The intricately designed interior is free to explore, offering a peaceful and inspiring retreat.

Old Trafford: Home of Manchester United

Football fans can’t miss Old Trafford, the iconic stadium of Manchester United. A tour of the stadium and its museum offers great photo opportunities, especially the United Trinity statue outside the North Stand, featuring legends George Best, Denis Law, and Sir Bobby Charlton.

Manchester’s Chinatown: Vibrant and Colorful

Manchester’s Chinatown, one of the largest in Europe, is a vibrant area filled with restaurants, shops, and a stunning Chinese arch on Faulkner Street. Visit during Chinese New Year for the most spectacular photos.

Salford Lads Club: Iconic Music History

Fans of ‘80s indie rock will recognize Salford Lads Club from The Smiths’ album cover for “The Queen Is Dead.” This historic club, established in 1903, also features the Smiths Room, accessible by appointment or on special open days.

Afflecks: A Unique Shopping Experience

Afflecks, a historic shopping mall, features distinctive red-brick Victorian architecture and mosaics by Mark Kennedy. Inside, you’ll find unique artworks, vintage clothes, and eclectic shops, making it a popular spot for alternative shopping and photography.

Alan Turing Memorial: A Tribute to a Genius

The Alan Turing Memorial in Sackville Park features a bronze statue of the codebreaker and father of computer science. It’s a great spot for a selfie with a historical figure in a peaceful park setting.

Vimto Park: Celebrating Local Heritage

Vimto Park, near the old Vimto factory, is home to a giant bottle statue and oversized fruit sculptures, celebrating Manchester’s favorite berry-flavored cordial. It’s a quirky and colorful spot for photos.

Outhouse MCR: Street Art Central

Outhouse MCR in Stevenson Square is a hub for ever-changing street art. The Northern Quarter offers additional stops for vibrant murals, making it a perfect area for a street art photo walk.

John Ryland’s Library: Literary Treasures

John Ryland’s Library, a Victorian Gothic gem, houses over a million artefacts and manuscripts. The photogenic library includes rare items like a 15th-century edition of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and the oldest fragment of the Gospel of John.

Albert’s Schloss: Bavarian Charm

Albert’s Schloss, a Bavarian-style bar on Peter Street, features an eye-catching floral entrance. Inside, you can enjoy a cronut and Bavarian beer while capturing the lively atmosphere and vibrant décor.

Castlefield: Historical Canals

Castlefield, an Urban Heritage Park, offers serene canal-side walks along cobbled pathways. Once a Roman fort site, it now hosts restaurants, bars, and events, making it a peaceful and picturesque area to explore.

Final Words:

Manchester’s blend of history, culture, and modern vibrancy provides endless opportunities for stunning photos. Whether you’re capturing historic landmarks, modern skyscrapers, or vibrant street art, these Instagrammable spots will make your feed shine and attract more Instagram followers.

Liverpool Black History Walking Tour (part 3 of 3)

St Nocholas' Church — St. Nicholas’ Church and, in the foreground, George’s Dock, from where ships engaged in the “African/Guinea trade” loaded their goods from 1771 onwards. Filled in during 1899-1900, today the Pier Head is home to the Three Graces: Port of Liverpool (1907, Grade-II listed); Liver (1911, Grade I-listed); and Cunard (1917, Grade II-listed) Buildings. This photograph, from the author’s own collection, was evidently taken prior to 1893 given there’s no visible sign of what locals referred to as the “Dockers’ Umbrella”, Liverpool’s Overhead Railway.

This is the third of three articles by Lee Ruddin about slavery in Liverpool and a walking tour of the city where evidence of Black History can now be seen.

See part 1 at https://travelthruhistory.com/liverpool-black-history-walking-tour-part-1/
See part 2 at https://travelthruhistory.com/liverpool-black-history-walking-tour-part-2-of-3/

FROM ABELL’S MEMORIAL STONE TO THE INTERNATIONAL SLAVERY MUSEUM

After reading the inscription on Abell’s gravestone (from the vantage point of the photographer, as shown in Part 2), turn around 180 degrees and exit St. Nicholas Church Gardens through the way you entered, namely Tower Gardens, before turning left onto Water Street and taking the first right onto Drury Lane. The inter-war Grade II-listed India Buildings occupies the entire block, so will be on your left until the junction with Brunswick Street, a one-way road sloping downwards towards the River Mersey that bisects Drury Lane. This you must cross (continuing south-eastwards) to reach the Piazza Fountain, situated in a courtyard on your right-hand-side, 160 metres away. Known locally as the “Bucket Fountain”, Richard Huws’ Grade II-listed kinetic water sculpture (1967) endeavours to replicate – through the filling and spilling of 20 pivoting hoppers on seven vertical poles – the sound of waves crashing against the shore (Image below).

Piazza waterfall sculpture — The Piazza Waterfall sculpture. A petition to Liverpool City Council to ‘Save the Bucket Fountain’ from being relocated is at Change.org (4,585 had signed by 28 March ’22).

There’s no evidence that the Welsh designer intended it to serve as a memorial to slavery, although the stairwells do bear a striking resemblance to those of the House of Slaves on Gorée Island, a slave-trading post on the west coast of Africa (image below). Furthermore, an “African” shield-shaped plaque on one of the spiral-shaped, cantilevered viewing platforms refers to the site’s proximity to the late eighteenth-, rebuilt early nineteenth-century arcaded edifice known as Goree Warehouses and Piazza (Image 16). These, together with what’s arguably an implicit nod to the trade (Image 17), support the case against a developer seeking its relocation, especially since Laurence Westgaph – recipient of a Black History Month Achiever’s Award for highlighting the lesser-known local roots that sustained the more familiar global routes of the Transatlantic Slave Trade – asserts on one of his walking tours that it’s Liverpool’s ‘abstract and only attempt to memorialise slavery in the public realm’.
Address: Beetham Plaza, Drury Lane, Liverpool, L2 0XJ.

Gorée Island, Senegal: Maison des Esclaves (“Slave House”). Image courtesy of *Encyclopaedia Britannica.*(https://www.britannica.com/place/Goree-Island#/media/1/239194/162594.)

Image 16 – The bronze plaque – chronicling the history of Goree – was donated by the fountain builder Cammell Laird, the shipbuilders where Huws began his working life as an apprentice.

door of no return — Image 17 – A “Door of No Return”? In the background is Beetham Plaza, where apartments overlook the area on which the multistorey warehouses once stood – today’s Strand and Goree thoroughfares. Tourgoers’ repeated inability to name what the 1960s office block was called prior to renovations in the late 1990s (erected on the site of the demolished warehouses, in 1959, was ‘Wilberforce House’: so named to mark the bicentenary of the birth of the famed abolitionist) illustrates the unintended consequences of renaming, Laurence bemoans, principally how quickly we unconsciously forget. This arguably underscores the importance of retaining and explaining street names and statues to prevent any “conscious forgetting” of Liverpool’s iniquitous role in the ‘lucrative trade in human misery’, as described by the late Terry Fields, a former local Member of Parliament (MP).

Return to where Drury Lane meets Brunswick Street and turn left, crossing The Strand and Goree dual carriageway at the traffic lights, before taking another left in front of George’s Dock Ventilation Tower (an imposing Grade II-listed Art Deco building), whereupon you continue in the same direction until you reach its south-east corner bordering Mann Island. It’s here – about ten feet up on the wall – that you will observe the street sign Goree, roughly 160 metres distant. This is the approximate location of the eponymous warehouses, wherein manufactured goods for export as well as imported, agricultural products harvested by enslaved individuals were stored for George’s Dock (Images at top and below).
Address: George’s Dock Ventilation and Central Control Station of the Mersey Road Tunnel, George’s Dock Way, L3 1DD.

Laurence holding a brass manilla (salvaged from the Liverpool ship *Douro* that sank in 1843), a bracelet-shaped form of commodity-money (used prior to the minting of coins), which was likely manufactured in Birmingham and commonly used as a medium of exchange for human property in West Africa.

Head back in the direction from which you approached, turning left by the traffic lights to rejoin Brunswick Street, following the pavement between the Port of Liverpool and Cunard Buildings in the direction of the Pier Head, part of the former UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site (Liverpool was stripped of its status in July 2021 after a UN committee found developments had caused ‘irreversible loss’ to the value of its historic waterfront), and via Canada Boulevard towards the Mersey Ferry Terminal, 320 metres away. Upon entering the foyer, look up to your right – approximately twenty feet – to see an artwork (image below). Sculptor Stephen Broadbent’s 2009 installation includes three pierced steel plates, representing the continents comprising the Triangular Trade, and a glazed panel etched with slave-trading routes embodying the Atlantic, which connected all three. The words and musical notation of Amazing Grace (1772) flow throughout since there’s a connection between the lyrics, which were penned by John Newton (1725-1807), and the melody, which emerged from ‘the descendants of the slaves [he] transported from Africa to America’.
Address: Pier Head, Georges Parade, Liverpool, L3 1DP.

‘Was blind but now I see’ – to quote a memorable line from Newton’s autobiographical Christian hymn – thanks to the glass caption underneath the handrail on the staircase. The self-proclaimed ‘wretch’ is yet to receive the opprobrium his actions merit, with reinterpretation lacking at Orleans House on Edmund Street, where the panegyric plaque commemorates Newton’s life as an ‘abolitionist and clergyman’: a double-story dialogue when a triple one is required. Born in London, Newton resided in Liverpool between the years 1755-1764 when Tide Surveyor, or Customs Inspector, though he would’ve visited the town from 1747 given the slave ships he captained were Liverpool-owned.

Exit the Mersey Ferry Terminal building through the door which you entered and turn right onto Georges Parade, continuing in this (south-east) direction until you reach the Museum of Liverpool, whereupon you turn left onto Mann Island so as to pass underneath its huge floor-to-ceiling window before taking a right – bypassing the main entrance – and veering to the left, towards the Great Western Railway warehouse, and specifically an information board in front of the first of two Grade II-listed Graving Docks (two images below). The paved surface is flat, albeit especially slippery when rained upon, and the distance traversed is 320 metres.

Canning dry docks were initially constructed in 1765 for the repair and maintenance of ships; they were subsequently lengthened and deepened in the first part of the nineteenth century, suggesting that the American slaver Nightingale was likely illegally outfitted here during a near-two month stay in the port in 1860. They were home to a cacophony of noise given Mersey shipyards were the ‘place of construction’ (as listed in the Slave Trade Database) for over a quarter of vessels (precisely 2,120) engaged in vile voyages between 1701-1810. These are the oldest, above-ground part of Liverpool’s dock system and indubitably its most direct link with the Transatlantic Slave Trade, with these structures helping to undergird a trade believed to have generated 40 percent of the town’s wealth by 1807.

While this location isn’t directly representative of suffering or death, not least when compared with the slave forts of West Africa or plantation houses in the American South, this northern corner of the trading triangle is inextricably linked with the other two, meaning its association with kidnapping and enslavement renders it a “dark” heritage site, something Philip Stone – founder and Executive Director of the Institute for Dark Tourism Research at the University of Central Lancashire – intimates when listing the International Slavery Museum (ISM) in his 111 Dark Places in England That You Shouldn’t Miss. (This section of the waterfront is due to be redeveloped, with plans featuring a series of bridges opening the dry docks up to help bridge gaps in knowledge through an educational experience shedding light on its “darker” history in a responsible and ethical way, thereby demonstrating that “dark tourism” has evolved beyond mere sensationalism and ‘fascination with assassination’, to quote the subtitle of a seminal article written on the subject in 1996.)

Laurence standing next to the information board – the original one of which was unveiled by the late London MP Bernie Grant in 1999 – stating that ‘Between 1700 and 1807, Liverpool merchants organised more than 5,000 voyages [and that t]heir ships carried nearly a million and a half Africans to slavery in the Americas’. *Guardian* letter writer Roland Hill (12 December 2021) pinpoints Canning Graving Docks as the most apposite site for a national slavery memorial after plans for one in London were shelved. Responding to another letter writer in the same newspaper, Laurence (2 January 2022) reaffirms that Liverpool ‘is undoubtedly the most fitting place for a permanent national memorial to the victims of slavery, as [it’s] a city shaped by the slave trade more than any other in the country’.

Reverting to the direction headed before stopping at the information board, continue (south) along Mann Island (in between Canning Graving Dock No. 2 and the Pilotage Building) towards Kings Parade by veering right, followed by a left (south-east) towards the Royal Albert Dock. After crossing the swing bridge over Canning Half-Tide Dock, veer left onto Hartley Quay before taking a sharp left onto Hartley Quay Bridge in order to remain on Hartley Quay. The entrance to Merseyside Maritime Museum (MMM), which houses the ISM on the third floor, is approximately 60 metres further along (east) on the right, totalling 320 metres in all. While access for wheelchair users isn’t impeded, caution is advised since sections are cobblestoned, meaning the last leg of the trail could be the most uncomfortable in more ways than one.
Address: International Slavery Museum (located inside Merseyside Maritime Museum), Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AQ. Open Tues-Sun and bank holidays, 10am-6pm. It is one of seven museums comprising National Museums Liverpool, with the other six being: Museum of Liverpool; World Museum; Maritime Museum; Walker Art Gallery; Sudley House; and Lady Lever Art Gallery.

Main entrance to MMM, situated at Jesse Hartley’s (1780-1860) Royal Albert Dock, the largest concentration of Grade I-listed buildings in Britain.

The ISM will be marking its 15th anniversary in 2022, after opening on 23 August 2007 – Slavery Remembrance Day in the bicentenary year of the Slave Trade Abolition Act. It contains three accessible and engaging themed galleries: Life in West Africa, Enslavement, and the Middle Passage and Legacy. The first and third will open minds, respectively, in terms of the variety and vitality of West African society prior to the landing of Europeans and achievements of Black figures notwithstanding racial discrimination: the product – not premise – of slavery, as author of Capitalism and Slavery Eric Williams elucidates. The second gallery will leave museumgoers open-mouthed, however, since ledgers containing columns of Africans listed as an abstract monetary value alongside tangible tools of torture combine to provide a gut-punch, chillingly illustrating how racial capitalism demanded the systematic and brutal dehumanisation of those forcibly transported. Aside from the ‘Liverpool Street’ signs display (still cornered off due to ongoing research), all other interactive installations are back online (after being offline even when ISM was open outside of pandemic-enforced lockdowns), which younger visitors will discover particularly illuminating, while older ones will regard rehumanisation of the enslaved through a reappraisal of their agency but one of many reasons to visit this priceless yet free museum.

Numbers represent the ‘violence of abstraction’, according to the late Barry Unsworth, author of *Sacred Hunger* (a historical novel about the slave trade that was, ironically), co-winner of the 1992 Booker Prize. The wholesale food distributor Booker Group was founded by two Liverpool brothers – George and Richard Booker – in 1835, when the family received compensation for emancipated slaves, yet the trading and shipping business continued to enforce exploitative working practices in the South American colony known as British Guiana (previously Demerara, nowadays Guyana). Booker Group ceased funding the prestigious literary prize – which was named in honour of the company when established in 1968 (though first awarded in 1969) – in 2002.

Back in January 2020, months before the killing of George Floyd and felling of Edward Colston’s statue, Liverpool City Council passed a motion pledging to install plaques explaining streets’ historical links with slavery. The bronze plaque featured above, unveiled on 5 April 2022 outside Liverpool’s Central Library and World Museum on William Brown Street, is the first to be installed, with another nine locations earmarked for plaques named in honour of the late activist Eric Lynch.

Photo Credits: All images except Gorée Island are by Lee Ruddin.

I’d like to thank the following academics for not only taking the time to acknowledge my emails, but for replying with such lengthy insight and, in some instances, for forwarding on articles: Paul Pickering, Elizabeth Wallace, Itay Lotem, Philip Stone, Velvet Nelson, Charles Forsdick, Stephen Small, Jessica Moody, Helen Baker, Richard Sharpley, and Marcus Wood. I’d also like to thank my first-rate sister and idol, Kirsty, for two of the photographs featured in this three-part article: the stoicism and selflessness displayed in the face of adversity continues to inspire her adoring, younger brother. This article is dedicated to my friend and local historian, David Hearn.