Manchester�s most iconic places
Forged in the fiery furnaces of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester has endured poverty, prosperity and eventually de-industrialisation. Today Manchester is a leading global city and one of the UK's most exciting destinations.
- Chetham's Library
- Manchester Art Gallery
- Old Trafford Stadium & Museum
- Imperial War Museum North
- Godlee Observatory
- The Beetham Tower
- Urbis
- The Lowry
- Manchester Town Hall
- National Football Museum
- Elizabeth Gaskell�s House
- Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)
- Lancashire County Cricket Club
1. Chetham's Library
The oldest public library in the English-speaking world, Chetham's is where Marx and Engels first met. Founded in 1653, it houses a collection that has been designated as one of national and international importance. Marx arrived in Manchester in 1845 and worked with Engels at a wooden desk in the alcove of the library's reading room.
Groups of less than ten are welcome to visit the library without an appointment. Visitors should make an appointment if they wish to read any of the books.
Address: Long Millgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester M3 1SB
Phone: 0161 834 7961
2. Manchester Art Gallery
One of the city's premier attractions is the free art gallery, with its striking Palladian structure, complete with iconic columns and an imposing portico entrance. First opened in 1824, the gallery was one of the first that made fine art freely available to the public.
It has a strong representation of British artists, including works by Thomas Gainsborough, William Constable, L.S. Lowry, J.M.W. Turner, and several Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood paintings. There are also a handful of impressionist works, including paintings by Pissarro, Renoir and Gauguin.
Address: Quay House, Quay St, Spinningfields, Manchester, Lancashire M3 3JE
Phone: 0161 827 1717
3. Old Trafford Stadium & Museum
No matter where you are in the world, people are familiar with Manchester United Football Club. The stadium is a shrine, temple and theatre for the club's fans worldwide. A tour takes you from the seats in the stands, through the changing rooms and players' lounge to the tunnel leading into the stadium and the players' dugout.
The museum can be visited separately, though is included in the tour, and includes a full history of the club. In addition, a new computer system allows visitors to find and replay the best goals scored at the ground, and have an interactive chat with a hologram of Sir Alex Ferguson, the club's manager from 1986-2013.
Address: Sir Matt Busby Way, Manchester M16 0RA
Phone: 0161 868 8000
4. Imperial War Museum North
Manchester's Imperial War Museum is housed in Daniel Libeskind's iconic building that represents a globe torn apart by war. Within the main exhibition space you can trace the history of global conflict from the beginning of the First World War to the present day.
A Harrier jump jet hanging from the ceiling is an impressive reminder of the scale of modern warfare. Regular exhibitions also run alongside the collection. Recent themes have included photographs of the Iraq conflict, a Horrible Histories rationing exhibit � aimed at children, war art and films.
Address: The Quays,Trafford Park, Trafford Wharf Rd, Manchester M17 1TZ
Phone: 0161 836 4000
5. Godlee Observatory
A visit to the city's observatory is a must even in the daytime, as it affords spectacular views over the Manchester skyline. Built in 1902 in a tower of Manchester University's Sackville Street Building, it remains fully operational.
The observatory is home to two Victorian telescopes � a 300mm Newtonian reflecting telescope and a 200mm refracting telescope. The venue runs tours, mini lectures and slideshows.
Address: Godlee Observatory, Sackville Street Building, Manchester M60 1QD
Phone: 0161 306 4977
6. The Beetham Tower
The Beetham Tower, also known as the Hilton Tower, is Manchester's tallest skyscraper and is easily recognised with its iconic overhang. It�s the tallest building in the UK outside London, at 168 metres. It�s also one of the world's slimmest skyscrapers. Despite this, it�s said to be visible from ten British counties on a clear day.
The building's architect, Ian Simpson, lives in the top floor penthouse on floor 47, but non-millionaires can enjoy the views over Snowdonia, the Pennines, the Peak District and, indeed, the set of Coronation Street from the skybar, Cloud 23, operated by Hilton. The hotel chain occupies the first 22 floors of the building.
Address: Great Bridgewater St, Manchester, Greater Manchester M3 4ED
7. Urbis
In 1996, Manchester was the location of an IRA bomb attack. The blast caused large-scale damage to the city's infrastructure and has been estimated to have cost insurers �1.1bn. The Urbis, a triangular glass structure, was built as part of the city's regeneration project and was also designed by Ian Simpson.
It�s a dedicated museum and exhibition centre, with exhibitions beginning on the top floor, which can be reached in the one minute 'sky-glide' in a glass elevator.
Address: Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens, Todd Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester M4 3BG
Phone: 0161 605 8200
8. The Lowry
Named after the celebrated local painter, The Lowry is a theatre and arts complex on Salford Quays in Manchester. As well as containing over 400 works by L.S. Lowry, the space is home to two theatres � The Quays and the larger Lyric Theatre, which has the largest theatre stage outside of London�s West End.
The Lowry is close to nearby attractions Old Trafford and the Imperial War Museum, and can be reached on the city's tram network.
Address: 50 Dearmans Pl, Salford, Manchester M3 5LH
Phone: 0161 827 4000
9. Manchester Town Hall
The Town Hall is one of the city�s most recognisable buildings with its Neo-Gothic exterior and magnificent 87 metre high clock tower. It remains the city's main administrative centre, housing a number of local government departments.
The Town Hall is home to several offices and grand ceremonial rooms, including the Great Hall, where Ford Maddox Brown's Manchester Murals hang � telling the story of the history of the city. It has been used as a location for several films and television programmes, including The Iron Lady and the recent BBC series Sherlock.
Address: Town Hall, Albert Square, Manchester, Lancashire M60 2LA
Phone: 0161 234 5000
10. National Football Museum
Housed in the Urbis is Manchester's National Football Museum. Visitors can explore the history of 'the beautiful game', and the role football has had in building and shaping modern society.
Manchester is home to both the world's most popular club (United), and richest (City), so it makes sense to house the museum in this footballing Mecca. Visitors can also take advantage of the museum's 'Football Plus' stations, which allow you to test your footy skills in simulated conditions.
Address: Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens, Todd St, Manchester, Greater Manchester M4 3BG
Phone: 0161 605 8200
11. Elizabeth Gaskell�s House
If football clubs and war museums aren't your cup of tea, then Victorian novelist Elizabeth Gaskell 's house is only three miles out of the city centre. It offers visitors a glimpse into a perfectly restored Regency-style villa.
Charles Dickens and the Bront� sisters were just a few of the literary stars that were regular visitors to the author of Cranford's house. Charlotte Bront� described it as �a large, cheerful, airy house, quite out of Manchester smoke�.
Address: 84 Plymouth Grove, Manchester M13 9LW
Phone: 01663 744233
12. Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)
The city's largest museum is dedicated to the role Manchester has played in our species' understanding and use of science and industry. Located in the old heart of industrial Manchester, the vast site forms part of the city's Urban Heritage Park.
Inside, visitors can explore Manchester's prominent role in the industrial revolution, and what happened afterwards. There are hands-on exhibits, including the opportunity to winch up a Mini Cooper, thanks to the ingenious use of gears. And you can even watch your own skeleton riding a bike! Entrance is free.
Address: Liverpool Rd, Manchester M3 4FP
Phone: 0161 832 2244
13. Lancashire County Cricket Club
The Lancashire County Club is just a stone's throw away from Old Trafford. Built in 1816, and taken over by the club in 1864, the club's original purpose was to "introduce cricket to every part of Lancashire."
The Roses Match, which happens every year between Lancashire and Yorkshire, is the highlight in the calendar for a visit to the ground. However, other league matches are regularly played, as well as the odd international.
Address: Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Talbot Rd, Old Trafford, Greater Manchester M16 0PX
Phone: 0161 282 4000
Return to Manchester guide...