The Heritage Trail is launching in Liverpool ONE this week taking visitors back in time by revealing untold stories and pieces of history about the city’s past.
The trail is a free self-guided audio tour and is fully accessible. It aims to “connect the past to the present” and explores Liverpool ONE and the surrounding area’s role in the city's evolution over the past 300 years.
The Heritage Trail begins by the pools on Thomas Steers Way near to the Hilton Hotel and ends at Chavasse Park. The tour takes up to 90 minutes to complete and includes 16 locations that are spread across the 42-acre site. Each is marked by a special Heritage Trail sign, making them easy to spot by those taking part in the tour.
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Along the trail, visitors can discover the “inspiring people, important places and key events” which have helped shape the last three centuries of Liverpool’s history. This includes the story behind the world’s first commercial enclosed wet dock, the landmark buildings built through Victorian philanthropy, the port’s history of immigration, and how the area was devastated by Second World War bombing.
The trail offers an insight into what life was like for ordinary people who lived and worked in Liverpool, including stories of confectioners, merchant seamen, anatomists, artists, balloonists, businesswomen and more. It also covers the area’s more recent transformations, such as the development of Liverpool ONE and how it became one of the most popular shopping and leisure destinations in Europe.
The trail has been brought to life through extensive research by a team of historical experts and community groups. 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.”
Liverpool ONE’s Heritage trail opens on Thursday, March 31. For more details about the tour and to download the MyONE app to follow the trail, visit the Liverpool ONE website.
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