What is it?
Manc’s most esteemed collection of manuscripts and old-timey tomes in an outrageously ornate setting. Diana fans take note – the original collection was purchased by philanthropist Enriqueta Rylands from Di’s distant relative 2nd Earl Spencer. Rylands then commissioned a Victorian Gothic library to rival Oxford’s academic institutions and it opened on a pretty solid date indeed: 1 January 1900. After bagging listed status in 1952, it became part of the Manchester University Library and was renovated in 2003.
Is it worth visiting?
Judge this one by its cover – if Victorian architecture and ornate academia is your thing, then Rylands is worth bookmarking. Once you’ve awed at the exquisite Arts and Crafts style exterior, head inside for a literary religious experience. Peaceful and reverent, the library contains 250,000 printed volumes and over one million manuscripts, including a first edition of Ulysses, a load of illustrious letters from Elizabeth Gaskell and potentially the oldest New Testament text. There are also regular exhibitions – which are set to be refurbed with the John Rylands Next Chapter project – and yes, a gift shop.
Can anyone go to the library?
Yes! No ticket needed and you’re likely to be able to waltz straight in unless it’s really busy. Also, if you’re keen to study somewhere swanky, you can stick your head into a book (or laptop) in the very churchy main reading room; as long as you’re not distracted by the constant stream of visitors, that is. If you want to check out the special collections (get you!) and carefully leaf through some of the library’s treasured titles you have to book an appointment online.
Where’s good to eat nearby?
Once you have stopped playing dean for the day you can head into Deansgate for some elite food. You’re in Spinningfields territory so fanciness abounds: Australasia serves up top-notch Australian, Indonesian and Japanese food in a slick setting and Climat is a rooftop haven of small plates and fancy wine. But if you’re looking for something more chill and cheap, you're a cardamom pod’s throw away from naan roll sensation Rola Wola or a saunter away from brunch hotspot Federal.
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