The museum is interesting but has some flaws. First of all it only covers the transatlantic slave trade, thus the museum’s name ‘The International Slavery Museum’ is misleading. The exhibitions mainly focus on British ties to the slave trade. For an ‘international museum’ I would have expected a more comprehensive overview of the history of slavery, for example slavery in the ancient greek, roman or viking civilizations, or the Arabic slave trade which all predates the transatlantic slave trade. The display signs are quite outdated describing the African slave’s heritage in the contemporary world through an “we and they”-perspective (‘we’ as europeans and ‘they’ as africans) which is problematic. Overall the museum feels a bit outdated as well.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Good that this city acknowledges its part in this awful trade. Up to 1.5 million slaves came through Liverpool alone. A ridged timeline approach would be the way to go here as the approach seems to be a little scattergun. Not sure of the need for the modern art interpretations of slavery either, they take up valuable space when the museum is only given one floor but all in all I cannot knock this place, it offers too much important information & therefore is of course very educational. Visited this floor as part of the larger Merseyside Maritime Museum, you’ll need at least a half day if not a full day to get round them, as the museum is large.

If you want to learn about Transatlantic slavery, then you should definitely visit this museum. It highlights a very sad time in history but one that must not be forgotten. There are emotive quotes written on the walls- the following was a quote by Mr Johnson, a grandson of a slave, South Carolina, 1990 'People need to remember about slavery. It pains the ancestors when we forget.'
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Went with a group of African and Caribbean ladies and men, very interested in the conditions their ancestors endured and wealth it brought to the slave trade. Everyone should visit this exhibition to see why it was banned, but be aware that it still exists today. FREE ENTRANCE, donations accepted.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

A painful chapter in human history that continues to plague society. Slavery is appropriately presented by this museum for its visitors. I like the exhibits in form of multimedias, interactive dioramas, images, stories, replicas, among others. School children were quite noisy and running around but kids will be kids.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait

Some incredible items of historical significance. Packs a lot of detail and powerful message into a surprisingly compact and small space. A bit tricky to navigate, and some of the audio exhibits wouldn’t work for me. Well worth a visit if you have a couple spare hours and want to learn about the sobering history of Liverpool and the British Empire. Definitely a powerful place.

Small but loaded with information and artefacts. Every Brit should visit as the enslaved, while not in Britain, were the backbone of the industrial revolution. I was astonished that cloth and glass beads from Italy were traded to the African slave traders (not just guns n’ ammo). Enlightening.

This is a vital part of British History and everyone should visit. Its really hard to see the exhibits and brings home so much about Britain's part in the Slave Trade. Very moving.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Very informative! For anyone interested in history or Black History specifically this a brilliant place to visit for some background knowledge. Some fantastic educational books in the gift shop as well, which I am certain that my children will benefit from.

Absolutely riveting exhibits, stories, documents and artifacts. Could have stayed here for hours more. So sad. So compelling. A must-see.