In April, I made a return visit to Chetham’s Library in Manchester’s Medieval Quarter. This time my visit was for a self-guided tour through the medieval stone passages, secret staircases and panelled rooms of Chetham’s Library after hours.
During a rare Chetham’s Library After Hours event, we were given the opportunity to roam freely around the building in our own time. We were allowed to go into any room or passageway as long as the door leading to it was open. This meant I got to see more of the Library than I had on my previous visit.
To give you a little history, Chetham’s Library was founded in 1653 and is the oldest surviving public library in Great Britain. The building was originally built in 1421 for the priests of Manchester’s Collegiate Church, before housing the poor boy’s school and the library. These days, the beautiful sandstone building sits within the grounds of Chetham’s School of Music (meaning visitor access needs to be pre-booked).
Chetham’s Library was established under the will of Humphrey Chetham (1580 – 1653). His will stated that the librarian should “require nothing of any man that cometh into the library”. Obviously, a building and book collection of this age needs a lot of upkeep, therefore it’s understandable that they now charge for tours and take donations. I’m sure Humphrey Chetham would have no qualms with this and would be delighted that his library is still here in this very spot, despite the modern development around it.
It was a pleasure to be able to roam Chetham’s Library at my own pace, but I would love to know what lies beyond some of the doors, passageways and stairs which we were unable to explore. I could spend all day (and night) in this place and can only imagine the people who have studied and wandered around here over the centuries.
You can find Chetham’s Library at Long Millgate, Manchester M3 1SB. It has easy access via public transport with Victoria Railway & Tram Station just around the corner, a tram stop at Exchange Square and numerous bus stops nearby too.
If you visit, don’t forget to take some time to visit the nearby Manchester Cathedral or wander around the city in search of street art.
40 Comments
Ann Coleman
It’s amazing that we can still walk through something that was built so long ago! And I am comforted knowing how long libraries have been around too.
Johanna Bradley
What an extraordinary building, Nikki! I almost expected a ghost with a lighted candle to come round one of those corners. I can tell you love it.
Nikki
It’s very easy to imagine, isn’t it?
lisl
This is all new to me, Nikki. What a wonderful opportunity you had to wander almost freely, and take such a cache of good pictures
Carol
It’s a beautiful library. I’m so envious of your time walking through all the open doors. So much history happened there.
Kris P
Wow! It must have felt like stepping into another era, Nikki. I just finished a goth-style mystery novel and I felt that vibe when I viewed your photos.
Nikki
It very much felt like that!
Kelly
All those books and that beautiful wood! I would love to visit this library. Yes, I always imagine the things said and done in the past when I visit a place like this. My imagination runs wild!
Nikki
There’s a few other places in Manchester I’m sure you would love to visit too.
Allie Mackin
Oh I would SO LOVE to visit here. So cool that it is still standing. It is like something out of a Harry Potter movie LOL. I need to add this to my bucketlist.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
A ShutterBug Explores
Wow! Fascinating library and divine photography ~ thanks,
Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Nikki
Thank you 🙂
Alan Rolfe
Whata. wonderful place this is. I’m so pleased that it is open for self0guioded tours.
Nikki
The self-guided tours are a rarity (but they do have one coming up on 21st June – https://library.chethams.com/whats-on/library-after-hours-14/ ). However, their guided tours are on weekdays and the occasional weekend.
Margaret
That is just so amazing and beautiful to my eyes. The lights to show the way and those well worn steps.
Thanks for sharing.
Ginnie Hart
OMG, Nikki. I would be in heaven there, as would my mom, who we 8 kids always saw as our walking encyclopaedia! What a great idea to have an After Hours tour like this, which would be totally worth the cost. And LOL about the cat flap in the door. Of course! 🙂
Nikki
It was only £13, so definitely well worth the cost.
Anca
On the day I was in Manchester and I could visit it as I had no other plans it was closed for an event or something like that. I will visit it because it’s lovely.
Astrid
I could just get lost in such a place and I Don mind if me lock me up for the night…. That is something else and what great photography here, Nikki. This is worth every penny to have this self guided tour. All those books, all that wood. I just love it.
Have a wonderful day.
Nikki
Thank you! All taken with my mobile phone this time as I was going straight to a concert afterwards.
Jo
I remember your previous visit. It’s such a fascinating place with so much history. Glad you got to wander round at your leisure, I’m sure it made it all the more interesting.
Shelley Krupa
WOW – you captured such cool photos of the library. What did it smell like? Clean or old books? Was there one librarian desk or multiple ones? How did someone find the book they were looking for back then? Simply fascinating, thank you for sharing!
Nikki
Thank you! It smelled of old books, just like you would imagine. No librarian’s desk. I seem to recall the books being alphabetical, but other than that I think you just had to browse!
Kim Carberry
Oh wow! What an amazing place to visit! The library is somewhere that I would like to explore, the bookshelves are just stunning!
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
This has been on my to-do list for some time. Manchester has so many cultural riches.
Nikki
I must admit, I do love visiting Manchester.
Her Digital Coffee
Wow, this place looks amazing! I would definitely love to visit one day. Beautiful captures!
Sharon Robinson
What a stunning place. So olde worldy and full of history. Bet you could get lost there entirely.
Ann
How lovely to revisit the stunning Chetham’s Library with you Nikki! Thank you so much for sharing! xxx
jeanie
That building is beyond fantastic. I was going to ask you what it was before it became a library but I see you told us! That’s fascinating — wondered who passed through there before. They’ve done a magnificent job with this in every possible way. And I love the touches, like the lights around the floor and the candles. You must have had a ball exploring this. Who wouldn’t?
Nikki
It was wonderful! The only thing that could have made it better would have been if the other visitors hadn’t have been there too! 😀
Marty
Those stone walls, both inside and out! What an utterly fantastic and beautiful place. As a retired librarian, you’ve just given me shivers. I’m so jealous! I’m adding it to the bucket list. Thanks!
Beverley
What a wonderful place to visit. The stories and secrets it must hold and all those wonderful books. The closed doors and no access areas must have been hard to resist but you did get to to see much more than on you last visit. Thank you for sharing your experience there.
CherryPie
WOW! This place looks amazing. I would love to visit 🙂
hena
Wow.. what a magical place. You got some great pictures.
Karen (Back Road Journal)
What a wonderful opportunity to be able to wander the passageways at your own pace to step back in time and enjoy the library.
Anna
The way you highlighted the freedom to explore the library’s medieval passages and rooms at your own pace makes me eager to experience it myself. Your beautiful photos and vivid writing bring the library to life, making it feel like a journey through time. Thank you for sharing such a magical experience – it’s now firmly on my must-visit list!
Denise Bush
WOW … what a beautiful place and great shots!
Tanja
What a fantastic library!I can’t believe it is still a public library.
Latitude Adjustment: A Tale of Two Wanderersl
Thanks, a must visit. Adding to our list!