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Manchester Cathedral

Manchester Cathedral

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Manchester Cathedral

See all things to do
See all things to do
Manchester Cathedral
4.5
1,411
#17 of 231 things to do in Manchester
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites
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8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 6:30 PM
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About
Manchester Cathedral has been centre stage in its city’s history for nearly 600 years. In 1421 Henry V signed a royal charter granting permission for a collegiate church to be built. In 1847 a new Manchester diocese was created and this historic church became a Cathedral. The doors are open 7 days a week and the admission is free. Do not miss one of the most interesting churches in the land at the heart of one of the most exciting cities on Earth.
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The area
Address
How to get there
  • Exchange Square • 2 min walk
  • Victoria • 5 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,411 reviews
Excellent
661
Very good
539
Average
179
Poor
29
Terrible
3
Olivia S
Macclesfield, UK15 contributions
Lovely tour guide!
We popped in here, to avoid the rain (and admission was free!), not expecting to spend much time. One of the tour guides (a lovely gentleman) asked if we would like a quick tour, but with 4 kids we didn't think they'd be interested! He said he had some interesting facts that the kids would like, and he ended up capturing their attention for a good 30 minutes, spotting bees, dragons and other interesting things inside the Catheral. Thank you for your time, the kids loved it!
Written February 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
torijamieson
Manchester, UK42 contributions
Carols by Candlelight
I took my niece for her first 'big girl' Carol service this year and we settled on the Carols by candlelight event as it's part performance and part sing-along which I thought she'd like and well we absolutely loved it. This Cathedral is a beautiful building, I think that goes without saying but it's also such a part of our city's history. I've been fortunate to always live super close by so it also holds a lot of personal nostalgia for me and I'm so grateful to be able to share this with her now. The Henshaws event was wonderful, great cause, great atmosphere and something I would recommend attending if you love music.
Written February 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gene R J
Silver Spring, MD8,099 contributions
Visit included the Sunday sermon.
We visited here today as part of our 2 mile walking circuit of the city from Piccadilly Station. Only the south entrance was open at 10:30 AM on this Sunday so our visit included the morning sermon, joining ~150 others in the sanctuary service. The beautiful organ was playing on our departure to the sobering Glade of Light memorial garden for the 22 victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.
Written May 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SKGuider
manchester4 contributions
Great guided tour
We enjoyed a free guided tour today with Steve. He was an excellent guide and very knowledgeable. He told us some really interesting facts about the history of the cathedral and we also went looking for bees , dragons and rabbits , hidden around the building . Well worth a visit , especially with an excellent volunteer guide.
Written June 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
L. MacGregor
10 contributions
Stunning !
We came in for some respite amidst the bustle of an energetic summer afternoon in the middle of the city. Tranquility descended immediately as we wandered around this very beautiful interior and soaked up the calm. After discovering there was an evening event, my son and I then attended a stunning hour of string quarte music accompanied by 2 ballet dancers ! It wouldn't normally have been our thing but how lucky to experience such a blissful performance at such short notice , it was a highlight of our break in the city.
Written August 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sofía González
20 contributions
Not mind blowing but nice
It's a nice, little cathedral which is worth going to when you go to Manchester for the first time, but it's not something out of the ordinary.
I recommend reading the papers at the entrance to have a better idea of its history. Impressive because of its age, and if you stand at the altar facing the nave, you can see the original stones used to built the cathedral.
Written January 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Emma R
Cardiff, UK145 contributions
Thought provoking and peaceful
The inside of this magnificent Cathedral is impressive. Entry is free, but if you want to take photos there is a £1 charge. Pride in Manchester and it's achievements is clear at every turn, as well as memorials to some of its recent history. Visitors of any faith should feel a sense of peace and calm after just a few minutes here. We were priveliged to visit during a choir practice, which filled the space with wonderful music.
Written March 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DinkyDolly L
Bury, UK947 contributions
First time visit
Couples
Wow, after living in Greater Manchester for 50 years and travelled past the cathedral lots of times never actually been inside it
We went to a craft fair today in the cathedral and I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was close up and inside.
The stained glass windows were absolutely incredible
What a wonderful place this is. Would love to go on an official tour so I can see the whole of it .
Written October 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
William2701
Bolton, UK57 contributions
Excellent
Solo
Whenever you visit it is always an excellent experience. The Cathedral is primarily a worshipping community yet attracts everybody whether to worship or not.

During the week and on Saturday the Cathedral hosts a myriad of events from school educational visits to clothes and craft fairs even Gin Festivals. There are times when the West End of the Cathedral is not open to visitors but fear not there is still plenty to see in the East end of the building.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gunslinger_46
Stockport, UK692 contributions
The cathedral that has been through it all
To see the cathedral for the very first time, it gives you an imposing and expressive experience that you will never ever forget - it has the English flag flying on the flagpole, to proudly proclaim its status.

The inside of the cathedral is a sight to behold with stain glassed windows and a fairly new organ replacing the old one......my words can hardly do it justice to what I am actually looking at - come and see for yourself, the only word that comes to mind is " Beautiful ".
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Manchester Cathedral
Manchester Cathedral is open:
  • Mon - Mon 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Tue - Thu 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM
  • Fri - Fri 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Sat - Sun 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Manchester Cathedral tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 9 Manchester Cathedral tours on Tripadvisor
Attractions near Manchester Cathedral: View all attractions near Manchester Cathedral on Tripadvisor