The Places
Along the 'Walking with Wilberforce' trail, you can see and sense something of the town which he knew. It is a journey that will encourage you to follow in the footsteps of those who challenged the world, to identify important places and events in a city with a radical tradition, and to join in the fight against the slavery which continues to this day.
Wilberforce House
The house, built in the 1660s, had since 1711 been the home and business premises of the Thornton and Wilberforce families, who were typical of the merchant traders along High Street. They imported iron ore from Sweden and flax, grain and timber from the Baltic, which were unloaded at the river berths and stored in large warehouses alongside.
Names on the Wall in Mandela Garden
This wall records people, past and present, throughout the world, who are identified with the cause for human freedom. It is not yet finished. We are all encouraged to propose new names to be added, until slavery and human rights abuse are permanently a thing of the past. You can be inspired and nominate someone on http://www.hull.ac.uk/wise/activities.
High Street - Maister House & Crowle House - Staiths & River Hull
Maister House (access in office hours only) reflects the life-style of Hull's rich families. After a bad fire in 1743 which killed John Maister's wife and son, the house was rebuilt in the most fashionable style and at great cost - if open, look at the elaborate staircase inside.
Read more about High Street - Maister House & Crowle House - Staiths & River Hull…
The Market Place
On his way to school, Wilberforce would have crossed Hull's main market near the old Guild Hall and prison. This was a busy street lined with ordinary shops, with printers' and tailors' workshops, and, being near the river, with ships' chandlers selling ropes and canvas. It was full of ripe smells and the sounds of many languages.
Holy Trinity
One of Britain's largest parish churches, it still dominates the Old Town. Built between 1285 and 1425, it has some of the earliest brickwork in the country. Whenever in Hull, Wilberforce would have heard its bells. Inside is the font where he was baptised. There is also a memorial to Rev Joseph Milner (1744-1797), an Evangelical vicar who challenged the life-styles of Hull's wealthy families and their neglect of the poor.
The Places
- Wilberforce House
- Names on the Wall in Mandela Garden
- High Street - Maister House & Crowle House - Staiths & River Hull
- The Market Place
- Holy Trinity
- Old Grammar School
- Prince Street - Dagger Lane - Posterngate
- Trinity House
- Bowlalley Lane and the Old White Hart
- Whitefriargate - Parliament Street
- Original site of Wilberforce Monument and Beverley Gate
- The Wilberforce Monument and Queens Gardens