Library Hopping in Manchester and Liverpool (2023)

Solo travel means checking out bookish places whenever I can – so when I visited my friend in Manchester last year, I tried to see whatever I can tick off my bucket list. In my Chetham’s Library post, I mentioned the list of incredible libraries in the UK I came across. It just so happened that in this trip, I was able to cross out 3 of them (+ an additional one!).

Here’re are places I went to during my short library-hopping itinerary in Manchester and Liverpool:

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Manchester Central Library

This was a wild card and it was just right there when I was strolling around the city center so I thought why not? While the Manchester Central Library was not included in the list I was referring to above, it is still a charming place that you shouldn’t miss if you’re around the area. Aside from the presence of books all over, there are a couple of things that I really loved: the big circular reading room (which is so big and intimidating, as it sits up to 300 people), works of arts peppered around the building, and an interactive archives catalogue sitting in the ground floor that any one can access, even if you are just visiting. It has such a nice, welcoming atmosphere and I wouldn’t be surprised that a lot of people get comfort in visiting it. Also, I got one of my favorite tote bags from the the Library’s merch store. 😊

📍 Manchester Central Library
St Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD | Website

John Rylands Research Institute and Library

John Rylands Research Institute and Library (or JRRIL) is probably one of the most beautiful libraries AND buildings I’ve ever been to. I am a sucker for Victorian and Gothic architecture and the interior of this library is just a sight to behold. The Reading Room (pictured above) is one of the most beautiful parts of the building. The library houses one of the world’s finest collections of rare books, manuscripts and archives. From what I’ve read, JRRIL is believed to house the biggest special collections in the UK, which includes rare books, illuminated manuscripts etc., including the Rylands Papyrus P52 (or the St. John’s Fragment), which is claimed to be the earliest extant of the New Testament text. While it is not possible to browse the shelves, the library provides a ‘closed-access’ reader service where you can request a material in advance and you can read it in the reading rooms. It is conveniently situated in the middle of the city and is free to enter and accessible to all – so make sure to visit if you’re ever around the area!

📍 John Rylands Research Institute and Library
150 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH | Website

Chetham’s Library

I was so excited about Chetham’s Library because it seems so unique from the other libraries I’ve been to. Part library, school of music (yep, still operating), and museum – this is the oldest public library in the English-speaking world. I’ve written a full post about it because I can’t stop gushing about it and also so that I won’t forget 😊 (READ: Visiting Chetham’s Library – The UK’s Oldest Public Library).

📍 Chetham’s Library
Long Millgate, Manchester M3 1SB | Website

Liverpool Central Library

The Liverpool Central Library was unexpectedly so pretty and amazing. Once you get out of the main train station, it is an easy couple of minutes walk and very accessible. What I loved most was the path walk leading to the main library entrance (see first picture above) which has book titles (mostly classics) printed on it. It was like a nice ‘red carpet’ equivalent to a booklover, I felt so special. Other favourites are: Picton Reading Room (which is massive and I enjoyed walking through the side shelfs, it was so gorgeous), the amazing atrium staircase that goes all the way to the top of the main building (see second photo above, I tried to climb it all to the top even if I am really afraid of heights, just for the experience 😉), and the Oak Room which houses one of the four copies of the folio-sized ‘Birds of America’ by John James Audubon (see third photo above, one of the most famous and valuable natural history books ever, a page is being turned every Wednesday so every week, a new page is displayed and exhibited). It also has a nice roof deck which will give you a nice 360° view of Liverpool city centre. More than a library, it’s just a really nice building – the 3 main buildings are all Grade II* listed buildings (i.e., particularly important buildings of more than special interest) and are built in the classical style similar to all building in that street (Walker Art Gallery, World Museum, etc.) – seriously, this street (aptly titled as the Cultural Quarter) looks so good and such a nice walk! I went bananas snapping photos of every corner of this library because it is just so gorgeous so I’ll probably try to make a separate post of it. 😅

📍 Liverpool Central Library
William Brown St, Liverpool L3 8EW | Website

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If you are looking for an alternative itinerary or bucket list-worthy places to visit, I suggest you give the above a go. If you are not a bibliophile, a bonus is that they are also charming places to be a backdrop for your stories. 📷 We didn’t really have these back home in the PH so I always feel blessed that I get to travel and see places like these. It just makes me so happy! Here’s to hoping I can get to cracking some other items in my list in my next travels. 😊✨

📍 Manchester – Liverpool Trip // April 13 – 16, 2023

Have you been to any of these places? Do you have a favorite library you’ve been to? Comment up and share!

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12 Incredible Libraries in the UK: Duke Humfrey’s Library (Oxford) | Liverpool Central Library (Liverpool) | Maughan Library (London) | Wren Library (Cambridge) | Library of Birminghan (Birmingham) | British Library (London) | Chained Library (Hereford) | Gladstone’s Library (Wales) | Chetham’s Library (Manchester) | Sir Duncan Rice Library (Aberdeen) | John Rylands Library (Manchester) | Signet Library (Edinburgh)

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