A Guide to Manchester through the Ages: From Romans to Industrial Revolution

Manchester was a small market town long before it became a driving force behind the Industrial Revolution. On this walking tour, I’ll share stories about the city’s transformation through the ages, from the days when Roman soldiers arrived in Castlefield to build the city’s first outpost, Mamucium. I’ll point out key landmarks in the heart of the city, like the Bridgewater Canal and the Rochdale Canal in Castlefield, both vital to its growth.

The tour starts at Exchange Square, where you’ll see the former Corn Exchange and its impressively decorated archway. You’ll enter the Medieval Quarter and walk through Greengate Square, where you’ll be able to see Manchester Cathedral from a unique vantage point.

You’ll stroll down Manchester’s ancient thoroughfare, Deansgate, en route to King Street, once the center of the financial district, and Market Street, the city’s main shopping area. You’ll also see impressive buildings from the railway era, such as the Great Northern Warehouse, Liverpool Road Station, Manchester Central Convention Complex (a former station), and The Midland, a hotel that’s hosted guests like Paul McCartney and Tony Blair.

Along the way, you’ll also have a chance to:

• Picture how a pub was carefully moved brick by brick to Shambles Square to preserve its history
• Learn about the structure that boosted trade along the waterways and also served as an air raid shelter
• Discover how a piece of cheese played a crucial role in securing building permission
• Stop at cultural landmarks like the John Rylands Library, the Royal Exchange Theatre, and the Museum of Science and Industry
• Listen to the story of the undamaged red postbox, a remarkable survivor of the 1996 IRA bomb
• Cross through St. Ann’s Square, once known as Acresfield, which hosted annual trading fairs in medieval times
• Hear the hidden tale of the lost River Tib, flowing beneath Manchester’s streets

This 60-minute walking tour finishes at St Peter’s Square, near Manchester Central Library. You’re welcome to take your time exploring the locations or stop for a bite or a drink along the way.