The Docklands Trail, a key heritage attraction at Liverpool Waters, has secured its immediate future after regeneration specialist Peel Waters gifted it a two-year lease extension. This ensures the attraction will continue to operate from its Collingwood Dock location, allowing for the expansion of its educational and visitor programmes.
Situated between Everton Football Club’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium and the developing Central Docks area, the trail offers a unique insight into the history of Liverpool's northern docklands and their crucial role during the industrial revolution.
Key Takeaways
- Peel Waters has granted a two-year lease extension to the Docklands Trail at Collingwood Dock.
- The heritage site has expanded its educational outreach, partnering with the Canal & River Trust to offer free curriculum support for schools.
- Future plans include seeking funding for new exhibitions on Merseybeat and the US Armed Forces' presence in WWII.
- The extension supports the attraction's role in preserving and sharing the maritime history of Liverpool's northern docks.
Securing a Place in Liverpool's Docklands
The decision by Peel Waters to extend the lease provides vital stability for the Docklands Trail. The attraction has become an important cultural and educational resource, preserving the narrative of Liverpool's maritime past for a modern audience. Its location is strategically significant, nestled within a rapidly transforming part of the city's waterfront.
As a community-focused project, the trail provides a historical anchor amidst the large-scale regeneration of Liverpool Waters. The exhibition space features a curated collection of images and artefacts that detail the area's industrial and maritime heritage.
A Historic Location
The northern docks of Liverpool were once a powerhouse of global trade, playing an instrumental part in Britain's industrial expansion. The Docklands Trail is dedicated to preserving this history, showcasing the evolution of sites like Collingwood Dock and the surrounding waterways that were central to the city's economic growth.
A specific section of the exhibition is dedicated to the history of Bramley-Moore Dock, charting its journey from a working dock to the site of Everton Football Club's new stadium. This exhibit connects the area's rich past with its dynamic future, offering context to one of the city's most significant contemporary developments.
Expanding Educational and Visitor Engagement
In recent times, the Docklands Trail has significantly broadened its outreach, with a strong focus on education. A key initiative is a partnership with the Canal & River Trust, which has led to the creation of a school contact programme. This programme is offered at no cost to schools and is designed to support the History and Geography curriculum.
Students visiting the trail receive specially designed workbooks and engage with exhibits that explain the global impact of Liverpool's docks. The learning experience is enhanced through practical, hands-on activities.
Hands-On History
Educational workshops at the Docklands Trail include canal building activities and guided walking tours of the historic Stanley Flight of locks. These interactive sessions are designed to make history tangible for students and provide a deeper understanding of the engineering and labour involved in the dock system.
The programme also includes occasional visits to nearby landmark buildings, such as the Titanic Hotel and the new Hill Dickinson Stadium. These tours demonstrate how 19th-century industrial structures have been successfully repurposed for contemporary use, illustrating the principles of urban regeneration and heritage conservation.
A New Self-Guided Experience
To cater to a wider range of visitors, the Docklands Trail has also launched a new self-guided walk. This trail allows individuals to explore the area at their own pace, journeying from the Museum of Liverpool at the Pier Head to the Visitor Centre at Collingwood Dock. This initiative makes the history of the docklands more accessible to casual tourists and local residents alike.
Future Ambitions and New Exhibitions
With its immediate future secured, the team behind the Docklands Trail is looking ahead. The organisation is actively seeking funding to expand its exhibition spaces and introduce new historical themes. This development is aimed at broadening the attraction's appeal and drawing in new audiences.
Two major new exhibitions are planned:
- The History of Merseybeat: This exhibit will explore the origins of the iconic music genre that put Liverpool on the global cultural map in the 1960s, connecting the city's maritime links to its musical explosion.
- The Presence of the US Armed Forces in Merseyside during World War II: This display will shed light on a crucial but often overlooked chapter of local history, examining the role Liverpool played as a strategic base for American forces during the conflict.
These new themes are expected to be particularly popular with the increasing number of cruise ship passengers visiting the city, offering them a deeper connection to Liverpool's multifaceted heritage. The expansion aims to solidify the trail's position as a must-visit destination on the city's waterfront.
A Commitment to Heritage Preservation
The lease extension has been welcomed by both Peel Waters and the Docklands Trail as a reaffirmation of their shared commitment to the city's history. Key figures from both organisations have commented on the importance of the partnership.
"We are thrilled to continue our support for The Docklands Trail with the gifting of this new lease," said Liza Marco, Senior Asset Manager at Liverpool Waters. "Protecting, sharing and celebrating the rich history of Liverpool’s docks is an important part of what we do at Liverpool Waters, and The Docklands Trail plays a key role in helping us achieve that. We look forward to welcoming even more visitors to experience this unique window into our city’s heritage."
This sentiment was echoed by Les Ellis, a Trustee of the Docklands Trail, who highlighted the organisation's core mission.
"Our mission has always been to bring the history of Liverpool’s docks to life for as many people as possible," added Les Ellis. "With the continued support from Peel Waters and our growing education and visitor programmes, we’re excited to continue developing The Docklands Trail, introducing new themes, and creating opportunities for both local communities and international visitors to engage with this unique part of our city’s heritage."
Visitor Information
The Docklands Trail at Collingwood Dock, Liverpool Waters, is open to the public on Wednesdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 13:00. Visits during the rest of the week can be arranged upon request, catering to school groups and private tours.