10 Most Iconic Buildings in Manchester

Manchester Cathedral on Victoria Street is the seat of the Bishop and offers a chance to see a Gothic cathedral that has stood for hundreds of years. The building was constructed in the 15th century and is a stunning example of classical Gothic architecture with its towering, jagged spires and powerful stonework. One of the more interesting aspects of this particular building, however, is that its stones are full of fossils. The Cathedral also stands on the site of a former church that dated to the year 700.

Inside the church, you can view incredible stained glass windows, intricate wooden sculptures and tons of ancient artefacts. It’s all in the heart of the city centre.

Manchester Town Hall is among the most famous landmarks in the city and offers incredible neo-Gothic architecture as well as an interior filled with art and history. The building was constructed in 1877 by famed architect Alfred Waterhouse. The clock tower rises 85 metres above the ground to stand sentinel over the city, and inside you’ll be stunned by the vaulted ceilings and striking golden spiral staircases.

In addition, you can explore the interior Sculpture Gallery, which is filled with statues and busts of the most important figures throughout Manchester’s history. All of this is right in the heart of the city centre.

The Imperial War Museum North is located across the canal from the Quay and offers the opportunity to learn all about Great Britain’s military history. This building is a work of art unto itself and a fine example of postmodern architecture, designed by noted architect Libeskind. It’s a satellite branch of the London Imperial War Museum and traces all of England’s military history from World War I through to the present day.

Inside you can see such unique treasures as J.R.R. Tolkien’s revolver from the First World War, which fired the very first shots from a British soldier in 1914. It’s 20 minutes north of the city centre.

The John Rylands Library is among the most famous libraries in the city and offers Neo-Gothic construction with arched ceilings, intricate décor and a magical vibe. The library opened to the public in 1900 at the dawn of the 20th century, and the sandstone building is owned and operated by the University of Manchester. The interior is as lovely as the exterior, with intricate archways and subdued lighting. As you explore, you may even get to see rare and unique medieval manuscripts and other ancient texts or the papers of historic personalities.

Many folks, of course, just come here because it’s a peaceful spot to soak up some history. It’s in the heart of the city centre.

The Manchester Central Library in St Peter Square offers a chance to see Neoclassical architecture in a historic building dedicated to the information infrastructure of the city. This building was completed in 1934 and was dedicated by King George V. Outside, it resembles the Pantheon in Rome with a broad domed ceiling and columned exterior portico. It’s one of the largest lending libraries in Great Britain, and after you’re done admiring the architecture outside, it’s definitely worth a browse inside.

Among the highlights are the archive that gives you the chance to see what Manchester looked like during the 1930s and 40s. It’s directly in the city centre, offering easy access.

The Printworks offers the chance to see a fantastic juxtaposition of old and new in the heart of Manchester, combining modern entertainment under a historic roof. The building was originally a publishing house, and even today that classic architecture is maintained, offering the chance to see a Gothic-looking building housing the latest in fun and adventure. In and around the Printworks, you’ll find a cinema, adventure golf and tons of bars and restaurants, including the Manchester location of the Hard Rock Café.

Upstairs, you can even view a rooftop garden. It’s a fun place to grab a bite to eat and play for a while between explorations, and of course, catch photos for your social media feed.

The Bridgewater Hall stands out among the classical buildings of the city, offering stark modern design with a roof that pierces the sky, and offers a leading concert venue. This spot is the major concert hall in the city, hosting over 250 shows every year. It’s been here since 1996 and has become a staple of the city’s cultural landscape. Its unique structure combines red sandstone, reinforced concrete, aluminium and glass in a stainless steel outer shell for a striking building that looks like a modern art sculpture.

The acoustics inside are as impressive as the visuals outside, and it’s famed for its massive 5,500-pipe organ. It’s right on the northern edge of the city centre.

Beetham Tower stands in the midst of a residential area and forms one of the tallest buildings in the city, dominating the red brick buildings with its gleaming tower. It’s notable for its futuristic design and famed for the whistling sound that the building emits on windy days as the wind rushes between the glass at its peak. The tower itself holds a hotel and luxury condominiums including more than one penthouse from where you can get astounding views of the city for miles around.

This iconic tower rose between 2004 and 2006 and today dominates the Manchester skyline. It’s just a few minutes' drive south of the direct city centre.

The Urbis Building offers a unique, sloping design and today serves as a standout exhibit and gallery space that houses the National Football Museum in the city centre. This is an iconic building both for its unusual steel-and-glass design with a sloped shape and for the artefacts within. From 2000 to 2010, the building was a convention and exhibitions place, with events and galleries spread over 5 floors.

Now it has been renovated and hosts the museum, making it one of the most visited attractions in the country where you can see historic memorabilia from footballers throughout history, from balls to uniforms to documents, photos and ephemera. It also still hosts occasional visiting and rotating exhibits.

The Salford Lads Club is located a few minutes outside of the city in neighbouring Salford but offers a chance to see a classic building famed for its iconic exports. This building was the spot where one of the biggest musical acts from Manchester, punk band The Smiths, posed for the cover of their third album. It is also featured in a music video from that record. To this day, the building’s design is largely untouched and visitors come here from all around to mimic that photo for their own social media.

Originally built in the early 20th century as a boys’ recreational centre, it still holds much of its historic charm. It’s only 16 minutes west of Manchester’s city centre.