Bibliophiles, rejoice: we have rounded up the best libraries in Manchester for your perusal. Manchester has long been a place of learning – it is home to Britain’s oldest public library, after all. We thought it high time to celebrate the best libraries in Manchester, big and small, new and old.
Central Library re-opened in 2014 after a £48m restoration, bigger and brighter, and the new home of the city’s archives and local history collections.
John Rylands Library houses a collection of rare books that spans five millennia – including an original Gutenberg Bible – in a neo-Gothic building that took nine years to build.
The Portico Library opened in 1806, and remains a well-appointed subscription library today. Go for tea and cake, exhibitions and events beneath its beautiful glass dome.
Chetham’s Library is the oldest free public reference library in Britain. Visitors can browse beautiful medieval shelving and an internationally rated collection of books.
The Working Class Movement Library houses the personal collection of labour historians Ruth and Edmund Frow, a treasure trove of material and stories dating back to the 1760s.
The North West’s first public poetry library, with a mission to widen access to poetry to everybody, you’ll find Manchester Poetry Library opposite All Saints park.
A public library in the centre of the wonderful market town of Altrincham.
The North West’s first public poetry library, Manchester Poetry Library opens in 2020 at Manchester Metropolitan University.
These regular talks in both Manchester and Knutsford unpack the meaning and significance of Elizabeth Gaskell’s writing.
Long-lasting organisation with regular meetings and telescope sessions in the 1902 Godlee Observatory.
A modern community library space in North Manchester which is shared with North Manchester Sixth Form College.
Wythenshawe Forum comprises co-located services and a hub for community and business. The venue has leisure facilities as well as a performance space and complete library services.
One of Manchester’s most most diverse neighborhoods has a library to match with newspapers, books and publications available in multiple languages.
Tameside Library has the library on one floor and the Central Art Gallery above. Sounds a little like an arts centre. It’s all housed in a comfortable and sturdy building.
This red sandstone neo-Gothic building was created on a grand Mancunian scale and houses a collection of rare books that spans five millennia – including an original Gutenberg Bible.
This cornerstone of Chorlton life is a Carnegie library, listed building and the second busiest library in the city.
Formerly the Sir Kenneth Green Library, All Saints Library is part of Manchester Metropolitan University.
Chetham’s Library is one of the must-sees of any visit to Manchester. The library was founded in 1653, and is the oldest public library in the world – but the building dates back even further, to 1421.
Manchester is a UNESCO City of Literature, so of course there are a few go-tos for books. Read our guide to discover the best places to pick them up.
The world's at your fingertips with free history, art, science and creative capers for all ages in Manchester.
Manchester is still a great place to watch new and innovative music – so here’s a guide to where to watch the best live music in the city.
The best private dining spaces in Manchester's leading restaurants. This is where you and your guests can be fed by professional chefs in a private room.
Looking for the finest roast dinners in Manchester? Look no further. We've picked out the very best Sunday dinners in the city.
Looking for a laugh? Here are Manchester's very best comedy nights.
Read our guide to navigating the city with toddlers and having loads of fun too!
Looking for things to do with babies? Check out some of our top things to do with the littlest tourists before you set out.
There are more green spaces in Manchester than you might think. We've picked out some of the best parks and gardens in and around the city.
Make the most of the summer sun at one of Manchester's many top-notch beer gardens.
Our guide to the best things to do in the Cumbria and the Lake District, including Penrith, Kendal, Carlisle, Keswick and Cockermouth.
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Enjoy our latest picks of things to do with the family, including festive fun and family raves to welcome in the new year!
It might be curl-up-with-a-book season, but there's lots to get out and about for and plenty of events where you can stock up on new reads.
Provocative new writing, glitzy burlesque and big budget shows, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.
Spotlighting global artists who all, in one way or another, break the mould, we preview the best gigs happening this side of Christmas and beyond.
We're unapologetically entering into the Christmas spirit here at Tours and Activities with some alternative festive fun.
Keep warm with festive feasts, Hollywood stars and 90s nostalgia across the North's cinemas this December.
While rainy late autumn may not be the most energising of seasons, there is plenty of new art to see and inspire this month!
The best food and drink options in Manchester and the North for the upcoming winter months.
