Slavery, Empire, and Leeds

This city centre tour, lasting around 90 minutes, begins at Leeds Minster on Kirkgate with the story of John Lewis, the first recorded Black person in Leeds. As the tour makes it way to Wellington Street, it will stop at locations along the way linked to the transatlantic slave trade, the East India Company and the British Empire. The tour will explore the impact they have had on the city of Leeds and everyday people. The tour will also stop at sites linked with some of the city's earliest Black and South Asian residents and visitors, dating from the 18th and 19th Centuries, including two LGBTQ+ circus performers, an African prince, a popular flower seller, and an Indian soldier who fought in the First World War. Stops will include The First White Cloth Hall, Holy Trinity Church, City Square and Mill Hill Chapel. From Wellington Street, the walking tour will return to Leeds Minster, and will stop at locations linked to the legacy of slavery and empire, exploring more recent stories such as the UK's first home-grown Reggae band The Bedrocks, South Asian market stall owners, Nigerian migrant David Oluwale and Windrush passenger Alford Gardner. Locations on this half of the tour will include The Queens Hotel, the David Oluwale Blue Plaque and Kirkgate Market. This walk is based on research carried out by local historian Danny Friar using Findmypast and other resources. The tour is unusual in that the locations work together to tell overarching story in chronological order.

Timings

Sunday 13 September:

1200-1330

Wednesday 16 September:

1630-1800

Sunday 20 September:

1000-1130

Location & directions

Outside Leeds Minster, 2 - 6 Kirkgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7DJ

Directions:

Meet outside the main entrance of the Leeds Minster, formerly Leeds Parish Church, a short walk from Leeds Bus and Coach station.

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Please note, this tour takes place outside and lasts around 90 minutes. There will be opportunities to sit down and rest along the way and a few stops will have public toilets nearby but opening times will vary.

Additional information

Please note this tour takes place outside, please dress appropriately. Comfortable shoes are advised. This tour will be cancelled in cases of extreme weather only.

Max number of people:

20

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

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