Chetham’s Library Unscripted

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor

Book now

Chetham's Library Unscripted

Chetham’s Library, Manchester
1 November 2018

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Chetham's Library
Book now

Chetham’s library is, for the first time, opening its doors for those who wish to explore its stone passages, secret staircases and richly panelled rooms in an intimate, unscripted and exclusive self guided tour. Free yourself from the time pressures of a guide and explore this historic building on your own terms. As dusk falls over the city centre, just before the evening begins, you will enter the library to find twinkling fairy lights illuminating your path through the medieval rooms. Let yourself be transported into a different time and away from the clutter and cold of the city centre in winter. As you move around the space noise will be kept to a minimum, and visitors are politely asked to participate in this moment of quietness. It will allow the building’s character to take centre stage and is a perfectly serene setting to explore some of the staircases, stone passages and cobbled courtyards which usually aren’t open to the public.

Throughout the building ‘incidents’ will be taking place. These are a collection of transformed spaces and things for you to discover as to guide yourself through the centuries old corridors, including illuminated corners, unusual objects and artefacts which are rarely seen by the public. You’ll also have the chance to read some of the books in the Chetham’s Library’s collection, as the oldest public library in the English speaking world you can imagine the treasure trove of manuscripts and books it contains. Once you’ve explored, discovered and enjoyed the library’s atmosphere the tour finishes in the beautiful Baronial Hall with a glass of wine and an informal chat with staff and curators. To make this experience feel intimate and unique, spaces for each tour are limited, so be sure to book in advanced. The library is hosting a tour every month for the duration of winter, so don’t worry if you miss out this time, there will be more to come including a valentines special in February.

Where to go near Chetham’s Library Unscripted

Cathedral Quarter
Restaurant
Mamucium

High-class restaurant next to Victoria Station in Manchester, and attached to Hotel Indigo. Famed for steaks.

The National Football Museum Manchester
Manchester
Museum
National Football Museum

The National Football Museum is now open to the public, ready to show off its impressive array of football-related exhibits and activities.

Cathedral Quarter
Restaurant
Salvi’s Mozzarella Bar

Head to this tiny Italian eatery for an authentic slice of Naples. It majors in mozzarella and the stuff here is a revelation: light, flavoursome, with oily, oozing pesto.

Manchester
Event venue
Festa Italiana

The 2022 Festa Italiana was a roaring success, with great food options and captivating live music performances throughout the weekend.

Cathedral Gardens
Cathedral Quarter
Park
Cathedral Gardens

Cathedral Gardens is a partially lawned public space in Manchester city centre, located between Manchester Cathedral and the National Football Museum.

Virgin Red Room
Manchester
Virgin Red Room

The Virgin Red Room is a new private members space located at Manchester’s AO Arena, with VIP access to some of the city’s biggest gigs.

Manchester
Event venue
Federation House

Federation House in Manchester is a pop-up project space that provides opportunities for artists, artist groups and artist development agencies.

Manchester
Restaurant
Skof by Tom Barnes

We visit Skof, Manchester’s most raved-about new restaurants, mere hours before 2025’s Michelin Guide announcement.

Manchester
Music venue
The Stoller Hall

The baby in the family of Manchester’s concert halls, The Stoller Hall greatly enhances the city’s already enviable live music provision.

What's on: Activity

Bradford on Foot
Until
ActivityBradford
Bradford on Foot

Bradford on Foot is a rich collection of 25 themed walks and tours around 2025’s UK City of Culture and the surrounding wild.

Free entry
Elizabeth Gaskell's House
TourManchester
The Manchester Literary Tour

On the eve of Elizabeth Gaskell’s birthday, join Jonathan Schofield Tours for a stroll around the sites (and sights) of Manchester’s literary past.

From £20.00
Temple Newsam
Activity
Leeds Halloween

Join the ghosts and ghouls of Leeds and prepare your coats, hats, scarves and gloves for some chilling events across the city.

Free entry

Culture Guides

Poet Helen Mort.
Literature Events in the North

One to add to your TBR pile, our latest round-up is a bumper edition and features some amazing events in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and beyond...

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Theatre this month bursts with contrasts - from bold new writing and Black History Month highlights to contemporary arts and reimagined classics.

Music in the North

From New York’s experimental underground to the most exciting sounds coming from local scenes, we're lining up a noisy autumn of gigs.

A white mattress is burning in a black rocky landscape.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries in the North are far from spooky this October - instead you'll find tactile sculptures, plant magic and curatorial experiments.

Cinema in the North

A host of Halloween horrors, experimental shorts, plus pioneering black British cinema make our October Cinema Guide.