Moggerhanger House was originally owned by Godfrey Thornton, cousin to William Wilberforce, one of the campaigners for the abolition of slavery. As members of the ‘Clapham Sect’, the Thorntons were key players in the long struggle to abolish slavery.
The summer of 2007 marked the 200th anniversary of the campaign to abolish the slave trade

The Centre for Contemporary Ministry (based at Moggerhanger Park) collaborated to bring a replica slave ship, called The Zong to be moored at Tower Pier on the Thames opposite HMS Belfast during March and April of 2007. Do have a look at the Spirit of Wilberforce website that was created especially for this visit. There is a lot of information about the slave trade and the work of the Clapham sect to abolish it.

Thanks to the generosity of the Heritage Lottery Fund, we are pleased to announce that Moggerhanger Park has organised a new exhibition and education opportunity to continue to mark this significant event in our nation's history.

An exhibition about the abolition of the slave trade is open every day between 11am and 4pm. Admission is free, and the exhibition can be found from the kitchen patio, adjacent to our main exhibition room, further exhibitions can also be found in the house.

Please stop at reception in the main house to ask for directions or if you need further information.

The house and exhibition provide a great opportunity to learn more and presently interactive study days offer an exciting chance for Key Stage 3 students in history and citizenship to experience further these connections.