The Ultimate Manchester Free Walking Tour

Wander through the streets and learn some of the hidden gems and secrets of Manchester!

About this Event

Would you like to see Manchester with a native English-speaking tour guide who has been a full-time tour guide in Manchester since 2016? ?‍♂️ Then read on. ?

Hi I’m Joe, your tour guide! ?‍♂️ I am a lifelong Manchester resident (Mancunian) who knows this city and its people inside and out. I have many stories about life here in Manchester and over the years I have met countless Manchester celebrities with stories to tell which you will learn about on my tour! This tour includes things that you will not find in guidebooks (or anywhere else for that matter!). I love showing people my city and I look forward to guiding you! -Joe ?

Through years of experience, I have learned that these tours are most enjoyable for you if I take you to the most exciting stops and tell the most interesting stories. ?

You want to see the main sites, take the best photos ?, maybe laugh a little, and then head off on to the next adventure. ?

During the tour we will see the main sites, allowing you to take photos of:

• Chinatown
• Gay Village
• Molly House
• Alan Turing Memorial
• London Road Fire Station
• Vimto Monument
• Factory Records
• Refuge Hotel
• Midland Hotel
• Town Hall
• Central Library
• Free Trade Hall

As important than the sites themselves are the stories behind them. Little insightful or interesting anecdotes;

Where does Manchester get its name from? ?

Why is there a Dr Who tardis in Chinatown? ⛩

Why are there lots of space invader mosaics spread across the city? ?

Why is the ? Queen Victoria statue facing away from Manchester?

Why has one brick ? on Central library been stolen so many times?

And many more stories like these!

You can also hear about the times I have met famous people such as Pep Guardiola, Tyson Fury, Liam Gallagher, Gareth Southgate, Ricky Hatton, Michael Eavis, Rio Ferdinand, Bobby Charlton and so many more!

I am the only free tour guide who is actually from Manchester! So I'm the best person for suggestions of the best places in the city for food ?, drink ?, coffee ☕, nightlife ?, live music ? and pretty much anything else you may want. One thing I would ask is that if you need to leave early to let me know so that the group is not waiting for you?

While I usually lead the tour, from time to time you could be led by one of our other guides - Darren, Dave, Bob, or another knowledgeable member of our team!

We look forward to welcoming you on the tour! ?

Joe

https://freewalkingtourmanchester.com/

Agenda

Chinatown

Info: Meet at the Chinatown Arch. ⛩️ A great photo opportunity and a clear landmark. We start at the the second largest Chinatown in the United Kingdom and the third largest in Europe. Learn why the Chinese came to Manchester, what they did originally and learn about one individual member of the Chinese community of Manchester and what makes him stand out! ?

Gay Village

Info: See some fine street art and learn how and why Manchester has become one of the most celebrated Gay Pride ?‍? events in Britain. Learn how the Gay village has evolved from an area of urban decay through to today’s trendy and bustling scene! ?

The Molly House

Info: Find out what a Molly House is and learn about the murals ? on the side of the building and their connection to Manchester! ?

Alan Turing Memorial

Info: Learn about the history of this great resident and how he was instrumental in helping end World War II. ?

London Road Fire Station

Info: See one of the locations where a shootout for Peaky Blinders was filmed! ??

Vimto Park

Info: Learn about how this unique Manchester beverage ? came into being and how and why it is so popular in the Middle East! ?

FAC251 - Factory Manchester

Info: See the building which gave the world the Madchester scene and how it still influences today’s music! ?

The Refuge

Info: Come inside one of Manchester’s finest hotels. Find out why there is a 300 lb bronze horse ? in the foyer and follow in the footsteps of its resident ghost! ?

The Midland Hotel

Info: See Manchester's most iconic grand hotel by the Midland Railway Company in 1903 built initially to serve rail ? travellers coming from London.

Town Hall

Info: See how the proceeds from cotton built the Town Hall and some magnificent buildings nearby! ?

Manchester Central Library

Info: Come inside the second-largest public lending library in England. It is one of the most famous buildings in the city. And Manchester being the first local authority to open a free to use library for the general public. ?

Free Trade Hall

Info: Learn about the site of the Peterloo Massacre and is now a hotel. ? The Free Trade Hall was where “the punk rock atom was split” as Steve Diggle of Buzzcocks proclaims; “it changed Manchester and it changed the world.”

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Host or Publisher Joe Feeley