Manchester Cathedral

Six centuries of history

There has been a church here since at least the thirteenth century. In 1421 Henry V granted a royal charter for a collegiate church, and much of today's building grew from that time. When the Diocese of Manchester was created in 1847, the church became a cathedral. It came through the Reformation and the bombing raids of the Second World War, and has been repaired and refurbished many times since.

What to look for

Head to the medieval quire for the misericords, the carved ledges under the choir seats, which are thought to be among the finest in Europe. Many carry a moral: one shows a woman scolding a man for breaking a cooking pot, another men playing backgammon, a game medieval priests frowned on. Look too for the striking stained glass and the carved kangaroos on the thrones, and ask about the bees kept on the roof.

Planning a visit

The cathedral is open daily, with level access to the main areas and accessible toilets. There is a café and a shop inside, which makes it a calm break from Arndale shopping. Cathedral Gardens and the National Football Museum are just north, and The Old Wellington, a timber-framed pub, is across the square.

Highlights

• Collegiate church from 1421; cathedral since 1847
• Grade I listed
• Medieval misericords among the finest in Europe
• Stained glass and carved quire
• Café and shop inside

Good to know

• Only guide and assistance dogs are allowed inside.
• Level access to main areas, with accessible toilets.
• Manchester Victoria station and bus stops are within a few minutes' walk.

Frequently asked questions