Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Johnny James, Managing Editor

With its rich industrial past, iconic architecture and vibrant arts scene, Manchester is a city that begs to be explored step by step. It’s the only way to truly connect with the place. But one better than strolling solo is to book onto a walking tour, led by a guide who knows the city like the back of their hand.

Enter Jonathan Schofield, Manchester’s top walking tour provider and a registered Blue Badge Guide since 1996. What Jonathan and his team don’t know about this city isn’t worth knowing, and the mix of information and entertainment they bring is pitch perfect.

Led by a knowledgeable and experienced tour guide, you’ll get closer to the sights, sounds, and spirit of the city. You’ll also uncover more than meets the eye. After all, this is a city of stories. Of people who shattered convention. Of ideas that changed the world. Of workers, of thinkers, of dreamers.

The walking tours below will place you at the heart of these stories, while Jonathan Schofield and his team bring them to vivid life. Some take place in the city centre, others leafy suburbs, and there are even a few walks near Manchester, for those wishing to nip beyond the city limits.

Whether you’re a history buff, culture enthusiast, or just looking to uncover the soul of Manchester, these Manchester walking tours are the perfect way to get to know the city a whole lot better.

Our top picks

The Manchester Music Walkabout

The Manchester Music Walkabout: Explore the City’s Musical Legacy at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, Until 5 June 2027, From £25.00 - Book now

Manchester’s famous musical legacy comes to life in this walking tour around the city, which will take you from the 1960s to the present day as you tread in the footsteps of everyone from Joy Division to Oasis.

2025-06-21-Jonathan-Schofield-MCR-Music-Walking-Tour-(©FionaFinchett)-30-L
Fiona Finchett

The Manchester Pub Walkabout

The Manchester Pub Walkabout at Manchester Central Library, Manchester, Until 5 June 2027, From £25.00 - Book now

Stagger across three hundred years of Manchester’s drinking history in one of the city’s most fun-loving walking tours, packed with fascinating stories, brilliantly bizarre facts and hilarious fun and games.

The Manchester Pub Walkabout Jonathan Schofield Tours
Jonathan Schofield Waling Tours

Southern Cemetery Tour

Southern Cemetery Tour at Southern Cemetery, Manchester, Until 5 September 2026, From £20.00 - Book now

The UK’s largest public cemetery is home to fascinating stories, beautiful architectural details, and the inspiration behind one of The Smiths’ best songs.

Southern Cemetary Chorlton by Tom Jeffs
Tom Jeffs

Secrets of Ancoats and New Islington

Secrets of Ancoats and New Islington, Until 11 July 2026, From £20.00 - Book now

Manchester is a city with many stories hidden beneath the surface, you just have to know where to look. Sleazy, Sinister and Haunted Manchester takes you deep into the shadows, unearthing a side of the city that rarely sees the light of day. 

Jonathan Schofield Walking Tours -Tour Ancoats & New Islington
Jonathan Schofield Walking Tours

The Oxford Road Tour

The Oxford Road Tour at The Refuge, Manchester, Until 10 October 2026, From £20.00 - Book now

Jonathan Schofield’s new walking tour exploring the treasures and famous landmarks of Manchester’s Oxford road begins this April. One of Manchester’s most characterful stretches, where architectural ambition and radical thinking sit side by side.

Image supplied by Creative Tourist

Ruined St Luke’s Church, Cheetham Hill Tour

Ruined St Luke’s Church, Cheetham Hill Tour, Until 27 September 2026, From £20.00 - Book now

Ruined St Luke’s Church, Cheetham Hill, Jonathan Schofield‘s brand new exclusive walking tour for 2026, unfolds like a piece of theatre. In association with the North West Heritage Trust.

Image supplied by Creative Tourist

Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx in Manchester

Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx in Manchester at John Rylands Research Institute and Library, Manchester, Until 28 November 2026, From £20.00 - Book now

The remarkable tale of two men who changed the political world is told on this tour, which explores the ways in which Manchester helped shape and reinforce their ideas.

John Rylands External Copyright of The University of Manchester, 2015
The University of Manchester

Secrets of Didsbury

Secrets of Didsbury, Until 3 October 2026, From £20.00 - Book now

No matter how well you think you know Didsbury, there are hidden histories, fascinating buildings, and lots of local personalities that you almost certainly won’t know on this walking tour.

Jonathan Schofield Walking Tours - secrets of Didsbury Image
Jonathan Schofield Walking Tours

The Kimpton Clocktower Tour

The Kimpton Clocktower Tour at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, Manchester, Until 14 November 2026, From £25.00 - Book now

Explore the incredible history behind one of Britain’s grandest and most storied commercial buildings while getting exclusive access to hidden spaces full of original features.

jonathan schofield giving tour
jonathanschofieldtours.com

Sleazy, Sinister and Haunted Manchester

Sleazy, Sinister and Haunted Manchester at Manchester Cathedral, Manchester, 18 July 2026, From £20.00 - Book now

Join Jonathan Schofield Tours and explore dark side of Manchester with shocking stories, grubby stories and hilarious stories.

Image supplied by Creative Tourist

Secrets of Stockport

Secrets of Stockport, 1 August–7 November 2026, From £20.00 - Book now

The ‘new Berlin’, which it’s been dubbed recently, might be a bit of a stretch, but Stockport is most certainly on a meteoric rise, with so much of interest to see and learn here.

Stockport Plaza
Stockport Plaza

Secrets of Knutsford

Secrets of Knutsford at Tatton Park, 6 September–18 December 2026, From £20.00 - Book now

Set in the Cheshire countryside, Knutsford is a real gem. In a way, it’s the embodiment of the lowland English market town – charming, quaint, and packed with history. But it’s also brilliantly eccentric.

Knutsford for Creative Tourist
Jonathan Schofield Walking Tours

More Jonathan Schofield Walking Tours

TourManchester
Sleazy, Sinister and Haunted Manchester

Join Jonathan Schofield Tours and explore dark side of Manchester with shocking stories, grubby stories and hilarious stories.

Stockport Plaza
TourManchester
Secrets of Stockport

Join Jonathan Schofield Tours and explore the fascinating stories and stunning architecture of a town on a meteoric rise.

Peterloo Tour Jonathan Schofield
TourManchester
The Peterloo Massacre Tour

Visit key locations associated with a moment that helped shape the future of the nation, tracing the footsteps of those who stood for change.

Knutsford for Creative Tourist
TourKnutsford
Secrets of Knutsford

From wild buildings to wilder characters, explore hidden histories and architectural oddities in the Cheshire town of Knutsford.

Science and Industry Museum
TourManchester
The Railway Age Begins: An Anniversary Tour

In 1830, the world’s first fully operational, steam-powered passenger railway opened between Liverpool and Manchester. Take a closer look at this breakthrough moment.

Photo of the exterior of the Palace Hotel
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Hotels in Manchester

To make life easy when it comes to booking your stay, here’s our guide to Manchester's best hotels.

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More things to do in Manchester

Press shot by Ché Deedigan.
MusicManchester
1000 Rabbits at The Abbey

Now Wave’s newly revived Hulme pub opens its doors with an ‘art pop picnic’ from London’s 1000 Rabbits.

From £12.00
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
A poster by city of making showing images from the University of Salford Archive's
Until
ExhibitionsSalford
City Of Making at The New Adelphi

Creativity, making and innovation have long shaped Salford. City of Making traces that legacy from industrial roots to today’s artists, designers and creative technologists.

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District guides

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    Oxford Road, Manchester

    We cherrypick our favourite spots on Oxford Road, taking in unique theatres, characterful gig venues and fascinating museums.

  • Deansgate, Manchester

    When you think of Deansgate, you might think about the long (seemingly endless) street that runs from the Manchester Cathedral all the way down to the Deansgate Towers. And you...

  • Outside Aviva Studios by the River Irwell
    City Centre, Manchester

    The heart of Manchester is packed full with history and stories. This industriousness is evident across the city centre, where proud heritage meets contemporary ambition, and a forward-looking mix of...

  • Cutting Room Square
    Ancoats & New Islington

    Ancoats, just off the Northern Quarter in Manchester, is one of the city's most increasingly desirable neighbourhoods. Find out why.

  • Northern Quarter, Manchester
    Northern Quarter, Manchester

    Manchester’s most characterful, independent district is a jumbled network of streets to one side of Piccadilly Gardens. Here are the places you need to check out.

  • Salford museum and art gallery exterior
    Salford, Greater Manchester

    Cross over the River Irwell, and you’ll find yourself in another city entirely – Salford, which is enjoying something of a regeneration.

  • The front of Didsbury restaurant Volta.
    Didsbury, Manchester

    Didsbury has the perfect split between big brands and independent businesses, welcoming all from far and wide.

  • Chorlton, Manchester

    Chorlton is a left-leaning suburb a few miles south of Manchester’s city centre (and only 10-odd minutes away by tram). A sprawling hive of artisan coffee shops, boutique clothing stores,...

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    Chinatown, Manchester

    Chinatown is a network of back streets dotted with Chinese restaurants – go to Ho’s Bakery for perfect honey buns, Hunan for spice and Middle Kingdom for a very affordable menu.

  • The Quays, Greater Manchester

    The Quays is home to MediaCityUK (the largest media hub in Europe) and studios purpose-built for the BBC’s move up North in 2011.

  • Cheetham Hill, Manchester

    Cheetham Hill gets a bad rap as an area, however as you begin to look round you will find it has plenty to do. Let us be your guide.

Ego Death
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Hidden Bars in Manchester

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Visitor guides

Bluecoat
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Tours and Activities in the North

Step away from the usual. Tours and activities that spark curiosity, inspire creativity and offer something refreshingly different.

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Culture guides

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    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.

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    Exhibitions

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    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...

Hotels in Manchester

Chancellors Hotel is a Grade II listed Victorian mansion located in South Manchester surrounded by five acres of beautiful landscaped gardens, in a relaxed, scenic and picturesque setting.
Manchester
Hotel
Chancellors Hotel

Chancellors Hotel is a Grade II listed Victorian mansion located in South Manchester surrounded by five acres of beautiful landscaped gardens, in a relaxed, scenic and picturesque setting.

iStock.com/SimoneN
Manchester
Hotel
Malmaison Manchester Deansgate

The building’s striking architecture combines classic brickwork with sleek, modern design elements, creating an inviting atmosphere that captures the essence of Manchester’s vibrant energy.

Manchester
Hotel
Forty-Seven

Forty-Seven is a luxury boutique hotel on Peter Street in Manchester city centre, above the high-end Indian restaurant Asha’s.