Having loaded the ships with sugar, tobacco and rum paid for from the proceeds of the sale of slaves, the captains would try to set sail for England on the final part of their triangular voyage before the 'Hurricane season' began in mid-July. This was to avoid much higher insurance rates which were demanded for ships leaving at more 'dangerous' times of year. Captains would always wish to be fully loaded, to ensure greater profit, but this might not always be the case if time was short.

The journey home, following trade winds, could be expected to take between 6-8 weeks. The journey was not without dangers associated with Atlantic storms prevalent at that time of year. A ship that sank, or was wrecked near the English coast, could mean disaster for a single owner. This was the reason most Merchant Venturers shared the risk, and therefore the profit, by investing jointly in the trade.

Once back in Bristol the cargo would be unloaded and sold for often a very good profit, releasing funds for financing  new Transatlantic trade.

In the early days of the slave trade it was rare for slaves to be aboard ships on the return journey to Bristol, although one or more personal servants might accompany their master. These slaves were taken to England purely to 'indicate' the wealth of their owner although some were undoubtedly well loved and cared for. However they would usually be looked upon as 'pets' rather than as human beings.

By the end of the transatlantic trade, however, many thousands of the new african-caribbean or african-american slaves were being transported to England. Many were to spend their remaining years as english domestic slaves but a small number were eventually granted their freedom and continued to live and work in England.

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