Visit Manchester Insider’s Guide: Heritage Sites and Libraries

This content is adapted from the Visit Manchester Insider’s Handbook. Packed with ideas and inspiration for things to do, see, eat, as well as places to stay, the 40-page handbook includes dedicated pages detailing what's new and coming soon as well as maps and spotlight pages on Greater Manchester's towns, boroughs and coolest neighbourhoods. It’s the perfect resource for planning your next visit.

Victoria Baths

No longer primarily functioning as a ‘water palace’ and Turkish baths, this Grade II listed building hosts regular events and features stunning stained glass, terracotta tiles and mosaic floors.

Manchester Town Hall

Designed by Alfred Waterhouse, Manchester Town Hall is one of the finest examples of Victorian Gothic architecture in the UK. Currently undergoing refurbishment, it will reopen in the coming years.

Rochdale Town Hall

Considered one of Britain’s finest civic buildings, the Grade I listed Town Hall is a symbol of Rochdale’s industrial standing in the textile trade and welcomes the public to explore its secrets.

Manchester Cathedral

The Cathedral is an essential place to visit when in Manchester, featuring the finest late medieval woodwork in the North of England, alongside stunning modern stained glass.

The Monastery

Described as architect Edward Pugin’s gothic masterpiece, the Grade II* listed Monastery was deconsecrated in 1989 and is now one of the most prized heritage sites in Greater Manchester.

The Pankhurst Centre

The Pankhurst Centre is the restored Grade II listed former home of Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters, dedicated to telling the story of women’s fight for the right to vote.

Fireground

A must-visit hidden gem for kids and adults alike, Fireground is a place to explore the history of fire, fire engineering, and the fire and rescue services in the Greater Manchester region.

Staircase House

Staircase House is a Grade II* listed medieval building dating from around 1460 situated in Stockport and is famous for its rare Jacobean cage-newel staircase.

Salford Lads’ Club

Established in 1903 as a purpose-built club for boys, Salford Lads’ Club has continued to provide this facility for over 100 years. It is also a must-visit spot for fans of The Smiths thanks to its use on the album The Queen is Dead.

Chetham’s Library

Housed in a beautiful sandstone building dating from 1421, Chetham’s has been in continuous use as a public library for over 350 years, making it one of the oldest libraries in the UK.

Manchester Central Library

Central Library is known as both the city’s study and its living room. Alongside an unrivalled hub of information and education, it’s a great place to meet and socialise.

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Mrs Gaskell’s former home helps visitors to discover secrets and insights into some of her most famous novels, and her friendships with peers such as Charlotte Brontë and
Charles Dickens.

John Rylands Library

A masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture, it looks more like a church from the outside; however, inside you will be treated to one of the most spectacular library settings in the UK.

Anthony Burgess Foundation

The International Anthony Burgess Foundation is an educational charity which encourages public and scholarly interest in the life and work of Manchester’s Anthony Burgess.

The Portico Library

The third of Manchester’s grand library trio (see Chetham’s and John Rylands), The Portico opened in 1806 and holds a collection of books, archives, and illustrations spanning 450 years.

Manchester Poetry Library

A new poetry research centre for Manchester – a UNESCO City of Literature – it holds an extensive collection of contemporary poetry from books to recordings, in multiple languages.

Working Class Movement Library

One of the most unusual libraries in the world, The Working Class Movement Library is a treasure trove with records of over 200 years of organising and campaigning by ordinary men and women.