Many people think of the Albert Dock as the best example of the regeneration of Liverpool's Dockland and so it may well be.
But walking around the area it came home to me that there has been a great deal more adaptation and rejuvenation of the great warehouses which were built to serve Liverpool Docks in their heyday. So I wandered along to the nearest of these at Wapping Quays. This is a Grade 2 listed building by Jesse Hartley, built in 1855, remaining in use as a bonded warehouse until1972. Subsequent conversion to residential use was completed in 1989 and now provides 114 apartments with one, and three bedrooms.
While admiring this structure I looked across the road to the Baltic Fleet.
This is the last of the onetime many dockside pubs catering for the thirst of the dock workers. It is a Grade II listed building and has been likened to a Mississippi river boat due to its quirky appearance- the front end of the pub (known as the bow, as in the front of a ship) is curved in much the same way that New York's Flat Iron Building is- all that is needed is a paddle wheel at each side to complete the image. It has its own website with more details of its history. This also explains the meaning of Wapping -a long straight stretch of land close to a dock area where large thick ropes were made or warped (twisted). The word is pronounced whopping.
Now close to the side door of the Pub. Difficulty reflects the muggle strength - take care!
You will need your own pen/pencil.