Founded in 1653, and housed in buildings dating back to 1421, Chetham’s is the oldest public library in the English-speaking world and home to over 100,000 of the UK’s rarest volumes, dating back as far as the 13th century. Tucked away in the heart of Manchester’s Medieval Quarter, this wonderfully atmospheric place is a remarkable legacy.
Packed with historical fact and fascinating stories, tours of Chetham’s Library are led by our staff and volunteers. Explore the cloisters of our medieval building. Admire the Hogwarts-esque gated shelves of our 17th century library, and take a seat at the very desk where Marx and Engels’ research led to The Communist Manifesto.
Tours last around 60 minutes, with a further 15 minutes at the end to explore the library and ask questions.
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