FREE SI Manchester Walking Tour (2 hour) 

Explore the history behind Manchester city centre’s landmarks with SI Manchester Walking Tours 

Manchester, one of the great cities of the UK, was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and the world’s first modern city. Explore the city’s heritage, history and culture on a walking tour of the city centre led by a local tourist guide.

On the FREE SI Manchester Walking Tour you will hear the story of Manchester from its origins right up to the present day. The city has led the world in several fields from cotton to computers so there is a wealth of history for you to discover. Your guide will walk you through the city, pointing out Manchester’s most famous landmarks and revealing the history behind them. The Perfect Manchester Walking Tour is the best way to get to know the city.

The FREE SI Manchester walking tour runs Everyday at 10.30am and Saturday+Sunday at 2pm from outside the Central Library in St Peter’s Square.

The FREE SI Manchester Walking tour can include*:

The Central Library; Midland Hotel; Friends Meeting House; The ‘Hidden Gem’ Church; Manchester’s secret passages; St Ann’s Church; Royal Exchange (Manchester’s main cotton exchange and now a theatre); Shambles Square; Chetham’s School of Music; Victoria Station.

*The tour route may vary depending on circumstances.

Tour Details:

Time: 10.30am Everyday + 2pm Saturday + Sunday 
Starts: By the entrance to Manchester Central Library, St Peter’s Square
Ends: 
Duration: 2 hours (approx.)

This tour is FREE and voluntary gratuity / tip based. From our experience if you enjoyed the tour a typical gratuity would be around £8 per person. Please note if the tour does not meet your expectation then please do not be under any pressure to tip the guide, all tips are voluntary and should reflect the quality of tour provided. The guide accepts cash or contactless payment.

Let us tell you the story of Manchester, join  FREE MANCHESTER WALKING TOURS to discover Manchester’s top attractions as well as hidden gems.

This is an entertaining and informative Free Manchester Walking Tour (3 hour) adventure that includes something for everyone, whether you are a new visitor or familiar with the city. Plus our tour offers fantastic photo opportunities, the chance to meet new people and all of our guests are offered our unique list of insider recommendations. Expect to hear about, political trailblazers, architectural wonders, street art, urban legends, historical stories, rave culture, football giants, industrial innovation and music heroes.

The 'Free Manchester Walkling Tour' (3 hour) runs daily at 11am from the Alan Turing Memorial Statue, Sackville Gardens, M1 3BH

On the Free Manchester Walking Tour expect to see

Manchester Town Hall + National Football Museum  + Royal Exchange Theatre + China Town + University of Manchester + The Gay Village + Manchester Cathedral + Rochdale Canal + Kimpton Clocktower Hotel + The Central Library  + John Rylands Library

* The tour route may vary depending on circumstances.

FAQ – FREE?

This tour is FREE and voluntary gratuity / tip based. From our experience, if you enjoyed the tour a typical gratuity would be around £8 per person. Please note if the tour does not meet your expectation then please do not be under any pressure to tip the guide, all tips are voluntary and should reflect the quality of tour provided. The guide accepts cash or contactless payment.

Free Manchester Walking Tour - Secrets of the City - (3 hours) Departs:  Daily at 10:00  

Explore all the secrets that Manchester has to offer on Free Walking Tour of Manchester. Discover the culture of Manchester from iconic buildings, churches and other landmark with an expert Manchester born guide passionate about the city.

Departs daily at 10am from the Chinese Arch, Falkner Street, M1 4FH, this is a Free Tour concept, where you choose the price.

The tour route and highlights:

China Town - We start at 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 - Learn how the Gay village has evolved from an area of urban decay through to today’s trendy and bustling scene!

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

Sackville Gardens and Alan Turing Memorial - Learn about the history of this great resident and how he was instrumental in helping end World War II.

The Twisted Wheel - Hear about how, despite Stevie Wonder playing at this iconic nightclub, it still closed down.

London Road Fire Station - See one of the locations where a shootout for Peaky Blinders was filmed!

Granby Row and Vimto Monument - Learn about how this unique Manchester beverage came into being and how and why it is so popular in the Middle East!

Factory Records - See the building which gave the world the Madchester scene and how it still influences today’s music!

Refuge Hotel - 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! 

Little Ireland - Hear about the squalid conditions the Irish workers experienced here and how they and their ancestors went on to lead the construction of Manchester!

Town Hall - See how the proceeds from cotton built the Town Hall and some magnificent buildings nearby.

This Free Manchester Walking Tour ‘Secrets of the City’ operates daily at 10:30 from the Chinese Arch, Falkner Street, Manchester M1 4FH

Bus Tour of Manchester, Salford and Media City

Explore the top attractions in Manchester

Known throughout the world as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, Manchester has a proud history in science, politics, music, arts and sport. Discover this vibrant history from the top deck of the Sightseeing Manchester bus. 

Beginning at the Bridgewater Hall  in the heart of the city centre the Sightseeing Manchester open-top bus takes you on 90-minute trip round Manchester and the modern waterfront developments at Salford Quays. The route takes in some of Manchester’s key sights, including the National Football Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, Old Trafford football stadium and The Lowry. Lord of the Rings and Lost actor Dominic Monaghan provides the commentary.

Bus Departure Point : Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Streer, Manchester, M2 3WS 

Service updates www.sightseeingmanchester.com

Key sights include:

• Bridgewater Hall - DEPARTURE + END 
• National Football Museum
• Museum of Science and Industry
• Old Trafford Football Stadium
  (home of Manchester United F.C)
• Manchester Cathedral
• Manchester Central Library
• Imperial War Museum North
• MediaCityUK
• The Lowry

Private Walking Tour in Manchester with English speaking guide. 

Private Bus Tour in Manchester.

Discover the history of Manchester on your own private bus tour with on board live guide commentary. 

All bus tours can be customised to suit your interests and needs, but here are some of our most popular tours:

• Manchester Football Heritage -  Manchester has a rich football history. We offer a range of tours including a general Football history tour or we can cater it if your more of a United or City fan.
• Manchester's Wonderful Music History  - We can also specialise this to specific bands, Joy Division/New Order/Oasis/The Smiths
• TV and Film Locations - Manchester is no stranger to digital cinematography with famous actors from all over the world having paved the streets of our beautiful city. Peaky Blinders, Queer as Folk, Snatch, Coronation Street., Captain America amongst many more.
• Manchester City of Firsts - See the most famous sights of Manchester and listen to unusual tales and curiosities as you travel through Manchester’s busy streets aboard this tour of Manchester.
• Cotton and the Industrial Mill Industry -  So well known for being a city of cotton that it was coined 'Cottonopolis'.  Manchester is still a city shaped by cotton.

• Art & Culture - Whether you are a knowledgeable art critic or a novice art appreciator, there will be something of interest on this tour.
• A Short History of Manchester - From the Roman Empire to Madchester to the current day 
• A Life of Crime - Manchester's famous crimes, underworld gangs and buildings with criminal history.
• A Religious History of Manchester -  Baptists, Roman Catholics or other religions have found their place in the city. Visit some amazing architecture and religious spots within the city.

Our sighbuses can seat up to a maximum of 45 guests upstairs + 25 downstairs. Each bus is fitted with a microphone for the guide and each vehicle is maintained and routinely serviced. There is no compromise when it comes to passenger comfort, safety or satisfaction and we will ensure that your tour is as pleasant as possible.

A tuneful swoop through the popular music scene of the greatest music city on the planet.

Along with football, music is Manchester's great obsession. This walking tour is an affectionate insight into the popular music scene of the city from the 1960s to the present day, examining the huge range of inspirational sounds that have shaken the musical world. This walking tour follows a route past the venues and locations that have formed the backdrop to the city’s lyrical legacy. There will be stories and anecdotes to move, amuse and entertain as we walk the streets and of course there will be your favourite tunes to enjoy; feel free to sing, dance and air guitar along.

Expect insights and anecdotes about The Smiths, The Bee Gees, The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, Oasis, New Order, Joy Division, 10cc, The Hollies, James, The Fall, Elbow, John Cooper Clarke and more.

The ultimate Manchester music experience! Be guided and chauffeured through Manchester and the suburbs. See where the music began, the musicians lived, grew-up, partied, fell-out, rehearsed and performed.

Ideal for groups from 1 to 6 persons for 3 or 4 hours duration.

• Manchester Music Mix Tour
• The Smiths Tour
• Oasis Tour
• Joy Division Tour