Chetham’s Library Tour & Lunch, Manchester

Join Violet Hours for a private Saturday morning tour of Chetham’s Library, followed by lunch at The Refuge.

Violet Hours is a new cultural event series for sapphic and queer women in Manchester, Leeds and the North. We’re creating grown-up, thoughtful gatherings around art, music, food, wine, history and conversation — the kind of events you can attend alone, with a friend, or with a partner, without feeling like you’ve walked into either a networking event or a nightclub.

For our first Manchester event, we’re starting with one of the city’s most atmospheric cultural spaces.

Chetham’s Library is the oldest public library in the English-speaking world, and we’ll be visiting as a private Violet Hours group. After the tour, we’ll head for lunch at The Refuge, where everyone can stay, chat and continue the morning together.

The ticket includes your place on the private library tour. Lunch is not included, so you’ll pay for your own food and drinks separately on the day.

What’s included

• A hosted Violet Hours welcome
• A private group tour of Chetham’s Library
• Introductions for anyone coming alone
• A lunch reservation afterwards at The Refuge
• First access to future Violet Hours events

Who it’s for

This event is for sapphic and queer women who like books, history, architecture, culture, food and good conversation.

You do not need to know anyone before you arrive. You do not need to come with a group. These events are being designed specifically so women can arrive alone and still feel part of the room.

Event details

Date: Saturday 3 October 2026
Start time: 11:30am (tour start time, please arrive 15 minutes earlier)
Location: Manchester
Venue: Chetham’s Library
Lunch afterwards: The Refuge
Capacity: 22 places maximum
Ticket includes: private tour only
Lunch: paid separately by attendees

This is a small, hosted cultural gathering for queer women who want something slower, richer and more interesting than another night out.