Albert Square
Albert Square is Manchester's main civic square, laid out in the 1860s to frame a memorial to Prince Albert. Alfred Waterhouse's Gothic Town Hall fills one side, and Victorian statues of local and national figures dot the paving, making it a natural first stop on a walk through the city centre.
Photos
William Kan
How the square came about
More than 100 buildings were cleared in the 1860s to create a setting for the Albert Memorial: Matthew Noble's marble statue of the Prince under a medieval-style canopy designed by Thomas Worthington. The square became the city's civic centre when Waterhouse's Town Hall was built along its east side between 1868 and 1877. Both the memorial and the Town Hall are Grade I listed.
What to look for
Walk the square to find statues of Bishop James Fraser, John Bright, Oliver Heywood and William Gladstone, all Grade II listed, and Worthington's 1897 Diamond Jubilee fountain. The Town Hall's clock tower rises about 85 metres and carries a 23-bell carillon. Neighbouring Lincoln Square has a statue of Abraham Lincoln, a reminder of Lancashire's links with the American Civil War. The Town Hall also contains murals by Ford Madox Brown, and its Gothic exterior is the square's main photo opportunity.
Using the square
It is the city's main space for public events and gatherings, and it sits between St Peter's Square trams and Deansgate. Blacklock is a couple of minutes away for lunch, and The Midland hotel is close if you want a grand Edwardian afternoon tea.
Highlights
- Laid out in the 1860s for the Albert Memorial
- Waterhouse's Gothic Town Hall, Grade I listed
- Victorian statues of Gladstone, Bright and others
- Conservation area since 1972
Good to know
- Free and open at all times as a public square.
- St Peter's Square Metrolink stop is a short walk away.
Frequently asked questions
Nearby
Sources: en.wikipedia.org