Manchester Taxi Tours

Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor

Book now

Manchester Taxi Tours

Manchester Cathedral, Cathedral Quarter
1 January 2020-30 June 2022

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

Manchester Taxi Tours
Book now

Black cabs are a defining feature of British roads, however, a ride in John Consterdine’s electric cab with a panoramic sunroof, is unlike any taxi journey you’ve known. Join John for a Manchester Taxi Tour, one of the most personal and tailor made tours Manchester has to offer. Not only have the tours won awards, they’re gaining ever increasing popularity among visitors and locals alike.

Dialogue between guests and guide creates a warm and friendly atmosphere in the cab.

John is the only fully qualified black cab driver and Blue Badge holding tour guide in the city, giving him a unique perspective into the city’s culture. Each tour is tailor made depending on your interests, whether you’re a fan of football, music, the industrial revolution or architecture, John knows all the cultural landmarks, hidden gems and unexpected stories that make up these histories. You can also explore how rapidly Manchester is changing and how the rate of development affects local people. No matter where you end up, you can be sure to walk away with a solid sense of the city’s past, present and where it may end up in the future.

As group numbers are small and limited to the capacity of the taxi, it gives you a chance to ask the questions you may not be able to in a larger touring group. This dialogue between guests and guide creates a warm and friendly atmosphere in the cab and helps you feel as if you’ve really got to know the personality of Manchester.

Expect decadence and luxury from this sweet treat.

Last summer, John added a new tour to his collection. Those who want to combine a taxi tour with a sweet treat can now incorporate an afternoon cream tea in their experience. The pastries, cakes and chocolates are supplied by Slattery, the renowned Pâtissier and Chocolatier. Expect decadence and luxury from this sweet treat, while you cruise through the northern metropolis.

Over the lockdowns John started posting daily videos on the Manchester Taxi Tour social media channels. Each one is a snapshot of a certain part of the city, sharing with followers an interesting, place, fact or story. They give a flavour of what you can expect on a full tour, whilst being free and accessible from home for those who may find that easier to access.

Prices vary between tours, contact John through the Manchester Taxi tour website for specific details as well as to discover the full range of tours on offer.

What's on at Manchester Cathedral

Until
MusicCity Centre
The Hallé 2025-26 Season

The Hallé invites audiences to a year of classical masterpieces, world premieres and appearances by some electrifying artists and composers.

From £17

Where to go near Manchester Taxi Tours

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.

Manchester
Restaurant
The Cosy Club

Elegant and welcoming restaurant and bar in the Corn Exchange, with an attractive domed ceiling and plenty of original features like the staircase and tiles.

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.

Proper Tea Cathedral Quarter Mancheste
Cathedral Quarter
Café or Coffee Shop
Proper Tea

Proper Tea sits opposite Manchester Cathedral, serving up artisanal teas (with instructions on how long to leave them brewing), sandwiches, soups and excellent cake.

Manchester
Restaurant
Kitchen In An Arch

An offshoot from the much-loved Umezushi, this specialist deli is a one-stop-shop for all your sushi making needs, and also hosts occasional workshops to improve your culinary skills.

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.

What's on: Activity

Foggy trees in Alexander Park, Hulme.
Walking TourManchester
Alexandra Park and Whalley Range Tour

Take a walking tour of both Alexandra Park and wider Whalley Range, uncovering the tales that lie within its mighty buildings, its churches and its people.

From £20.00
Truly Madly Brutal - Jonathan Schofield Tours
TourManchester
Truly Madly Brutal

Explore the fascinating history of Brutalism in Manchester, while also exploring the movement’s wider intentions and ideals.

From £20.00

Culture Guides

A doll with makeup peeks out of a hanging wall of butter yellow fabric. Red and black threads descend and cascade around the doll.
Exhibitions in the North

This season, exhibitions across the North West feel attuned to the world beneath the world – the forces and stories shaping how we see, feel and imagine.

Music in the North

Manchester’s starting the new year with a run of gigs from some of the country’s best underground exports.

A performer in a bright red costume sits on a snowy stage set, holding a large snowball between their legs with a surprised expression. The colourful winter backdrop features snowflakes, hills, a snowman, and a traffic light with glowing lights.
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

Textured portrait image of Jarman
Theatre in the North

Theatre across the North West splits between festive escape and sharp, urgent work exploring politics, power and resistance.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.

Food and Drink in the North

Hear ye, hear ye. Take some eating-out tips from our wintertime guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.