Ancoats: Mighty Mills and Little Italy Guided Tour

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor
Mighty Mills and Little Italy
Elizabeth Sibbering

Ancoats: Mighty Mills and Little Italy Guided Tour at Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester 26 September 2020 Tickets from £12 — Book now

Manchester Guided tours are returning to the streets with a great selection of specialist tours, but the one that we are particularly intrigued by is Elizabeth Sibbering’s Ancoats: Mighty Mills and Little Italy.

it’s hard to believe how much social and civic transformation has taken place

Over the past few years, Ancoats has been reawakened. Emerging out of its industrial past to become an area where creativity, history and architectural ingenuity collide. It’s home to Hallé St Peters, a whole host of acclaimed restaurants, microbreweries and some of the city’s largest pieces of street art. This, however, wasn’t always the case.

Join Elizabeth Sibbering, also known as ‘Sibby’, as she explores the darker side of Ancoats’ Victorian past, all the way up to the present day. Learn about the coveted ice-cream of Little Italy as well as the slums and poverty endured by the local mill workers. As you walk around the now-chic exteriors, it’s hard to believe exactly how much social and civic transformation has taken place in a relatively short period of time.

This Mighty Mills and Little Italy tour isn’t suitable for people with limited mobility as it does include some uneven ground and steps. For this same reason, sensible footwear is advised. Booking in advance is also essential.

Manchester Guided Tours is the largest collection of green and blue badge holders in Manchester, offering in-depth and entertaining guided walks throughout the city and its suburbs. Within the group, each guide brings their own unique perspective.

At the moment, every precaution is being made to ensure people can attend tours without compromising their safety. This does mean that the group’s usually packed calendar is slightly less busy. Currently, they are running a Discover Manchester tour every weekend alongside their more bespoke tours. Discover Manchester is a great overview of the city centre and perfect for someone new to the area or interested in the local history.

Ancoats: Mighty Mills and Little Italy Guided Tour at Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester 26 September 2020 Tickets from £12 Book now

What's on at Piccadilly Gardens

Until
ActivityManchester
Sí Manchester Daily Tour

Sí Manchester’s daily tour is a brilliant way to get an overview of the city with tours running in both English and Spanish.

free entry

Where to go near Ancoats: Mighty Mills and Little Italy Guided Tour

Photo of the restaurant interior, with wood floors and dark tables
Manchester
Restaurant
ABode Restaurant

ABode Restaurant is a fine dining option in Manchester that often gets forgotten about. This might have something to do with its out of the way location, hidden away on a back street near Piccadilly, but it might also be because its offering is just a little outdated.

ABode Manchester
Manchester
Hotel
ABode Manchester

ABode Manchester is a boutique hotel in Manchester with a range of rooms and suites available. It has its own restaurant and plays host to live events. All conveniently situated just a couple of minutes from Piccadilly Station.

Malmaison Manchester
City Centre
Hotel
Malmaison Manchester

Malmaison Manchester has stylish rooms and an excellent bar, all situated conveniently on the doorstep of Piccadilly train station. Rooms start from as little as £90, if you’re looking for a boutique experience on a budget, look no further. 

Brownsfield Mill building in Manchester
Manchester
Tourist Attraction
Brownsfield Mill

Now a Grade-II listed building, Brownsfield Mill in Manchester was constructed in 1825 as a power mill, and later housed the A.V. Roe and Company aviation factory. The former mill forms part of the Piccadilly Basin and is to undergo refurbishment for potential use as flats or office space.

Roby 1844
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Roby 1844

Roby 1844 is a new canalside terrace bar and restaurant based on Aytoun Street in the heart of Manchester.

Manchester
Restaurant
Alabama’s All American Eatery

A more San Francisco take on American food in Manchester – introducing Alabama’s All American Eatery. Alabama’s All American Eatery, despite having a name that firmly plants its stake in US territory, is actually at the more chilled-out end of Manchester’s ongoing homage to the Americana trend.

Bundobust Manchester
Manchester
Restaurant
Bundobust Manchester

Head to Bundobust Manchester for fantastic and endlessly original Indian street food, all vegetarian (and often vegan).

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Kampus

We try out some of the new drinks and food vendors at Kampus.

Manchester
Restaurant
Tariff & Dale

Tariff & Dale is a bar and kitchen in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, taking its name from its location on the corners of both Tariff Street and Dale Street.

Superstition Bar
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Superstition Bar

Independent underground bar in the heart of the Northern Quarter, serving a vast range of quality cocktails.

What's on: Activity

Until
ActivityManchester
DJ Gym at Hatch

Learn some DJ and production skills with DJ Gym Manchester, based in the culturally infused surrounds of Hatch.

from £269
life drawing
Until
ActivityManchester
Life Drawing Manchester

Whether you have never put pencil to paper or have been honing your artistic skills for years, Bee Creative studio runs life drawing sessions for people of all abilities.

from £10
Until
ActivityLiverpool
Old Dock Tours, Liverpool

The Old Dock tour is a treat for younger and older visitors alike, fans of Liverpool’s maritime past, and anybody curious about local history.

£8.50 with concessions
Until
ActivityManchester
Sí Manchester Daily Tour

Sí Manchester’s daily tour is a brilliant way to get an overview of the city with tours running in both English and Spanish.

free entry

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in Manchester and the North

Affecting contemporary performances and fresh, relevant takes on enduring classics, we pick out shows that help us scrutinise the world we live in.

Teenage Dads
Music in Manchester and the North

Fresh concert seasons, forward-thinking festivals and a revolving door of amazing gigs. Things are looking bright as spring comes into view.