New walking trail to explore freedom, faith and social change across North Lincolnshire

A new 80-mile walking trail will connect North Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and Hull, bringing together powerful stories of freedom, faith and social change.

Epworth Old Rectory has been awarded £5,000 through North Lincolnshire Council’s Cultural Futures programme for The Equiano Way.

The trail will centre on the life and legacy of Olaudah Equiano, the formerly enslaved African writer, abolitionist and campaigner whose autobiography helped expose the brutality of slavery and influence the movement for abolition.

It will also explore his connection to John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, who is understood to have been reading Equiano’s book shortly before his death.

By linking Equiano’s story with Wesley, the Pilgrim Fathers and Salim C. Wilson, the project will create a new cultural and educational route through landscapes shaped by faith, migration, reform and resistance.

Supported by interpretation, artworks, digital resources and school materials, the trail is planned to launch in 2027 as a shared experience for walkers, visitors, schools and communities.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “The Equiano Way is a powerful project because it connects our landscapes with stories that changed the world.

“Olaudah Equiano’s life and words helped challenge one of history’s greatest injustices. To link that story with John Wesley, Epworth and the wider history of faith, reform and social change gives North Lincolnshire a remarkable opportunity to help people understand that national and international history is rooted in local places.”

At the launch, ward members Cllrs Caroline Finch and Tim Mitchell met organisers.

Cllr Mitchell said: “This is what Cultural Futures is about: helping communities tell important stories, opening up heritage in new ways and encouraging people to get out, explore and take pride in the places around them.

“The Equiano Way will give people the chance to walk, reflect and learn as they travel through places connected by ideas of freedom, faith and justice.”

The project will work across local authority boundaries, creating a route that encourages walking, learning and cultural tourism while helping schools and communities engage with complex histories in an accessible way.

Cllr Caroline Finch said: “This is heritage that moves through the landscape. It is also a brilliant example of partnership working, bringing together different places and stories to create something that will be used by residents, schools and visitors for years to come.”

The project is one of 14 new arts and heritage schemes awarded funding through Cultural Futures, a multi-year programme supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and North Lincolnshire Council to increase cultural activity across the area.

The wider funding round will also support projects including free blacksmithing taster sessions at Owston Ferry Smithy; a dance project exploring culture, identity and racism with young people; a Beatles-themed project celebrating Ted Lewis’s role in *Yellow Submarine*; an artist residency exploring play and childhood at Wilderspin School Museum; and a portable exhibition telling the story of Burton upon Stather’s role in the build-up to D-Day.

In total, more than £63,000 has been awarded in this round.

The Cultural Futures programme is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and North Lincolnshire Council.

Find out more information, including the full criteria and how to apply for future funding, on the Cultural Futures webpage [https://www.northlincs.gov.uk/community-advice-and-support/cultural-futures-grant/] or email culturalfuturesgrants@northlincs.gov.uk.