There’s no entrance fee to go inside Manchester’s John Rylands Library, but opening hours are limited for this Victorian wonder.
Manchester’s most enjoyable heritage building?
In Manchester, much of the history leans towards the industrial side of things. This is why the John Rylands Library provides such an enjoyable contrast.
The John Rylands Library feels like a piece of old-school heritage, even though it dates back to the Victorian era. It’s a purpose-built library, founded in 1888 by the widow of a textiles millionaire and opened to the public in 1900. But the sumptuous neo-Gothic architecture, with corridors like vaulted cloisters, makes it look a lot older than that.
Inside the John Rylands Library
The John Rylands Library is home to 1.4 million items, including manuscripts, archives and a letter from Patrick Bronte to William Gaskell.
There are exquisite stone carvings all the way up the stairs, and light fittings are shaped like cotton flowers.. The main reading room is so rich in detail that staff hand out mirrors to enable the guests to admire the ceiling without cricking their necks.
John Rylands Library entry fee and opening times
However, the John Rylands Library is part of the University of Manchester. So how do you visit if you’re not a student at the university?
Luckily, this gorgeous neo-Gothic building is open to visitors, but only at set times.
At the time of writing, the Rylands Library opening hours are 10am to 5pm, Wednesday to Sunday. There is no entrance fee for the John Rylands Library, but this can be a blessing and a curse. You can’t book to visit, so you have to queue up outside.
Usually, the queues aren’t particularly long, as the John Rylands Library isn’t an obvious part of Manchester’s tourist trail. But you may have to wait a while on a Saturday.
More Manchester travel ideas
Things to do in Manchester include a Manchester City stadium tour, a river cruise with commentary and a walking tour around the city’s highlights.
Other Manchester articles on Planet Whitley include:
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